News for 'FM'

Pakistan FM Mediates Between Saudi Arabia and Iran Amid Conflict

Pakistan FM Mediates Between Saudi Arabia and Iran Amid Conflict

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has been actively involved in mediating between Saudi Arabia and Iran following the outbreak of war, ensuring the safety of Pakistani citizens in affected regions.

Mark my words...: Iran FM's warning after US sinks Iranian warship

Mark my words...: Iran FM's warning after US sinks Iranian warship

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

Amid rising tensions, Iran threatens retaliation after the United States confirms sinking its warship, IRIS Dena, in international waters, escalating conflict in the region.

Modi-Trump Call: 'Headwind Becomes Tailwind': FM

Modi-Trump Call: 'Headwind Becomes Tailwind': FM

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

The finance minister said that consolidation of state-owned banks could proceed at any time without waiting for the recommendations of the proposed high-level committee on banking.

FM proposes MAT exemption for non-residents

FM proposes MAT exemption for non-residents

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed to exempt Minimum Alternate Tax (MAT) for non-residents who pay tax on presumptive basis.

A long-game Budget

A long-game Budget

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

The Union Budget for 2026-27, presented by Finance Minister (FM) Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday, which was a first, had an excellent domestic macro backdrop. According to the first advance estimates, gross domestic product (GDP) in constant prices is projected to grow 7.4 per cent in the current financial year, against 6.5 per cent in 2024-25.

STT on futures hiked, share buyback taxed as capital gains

STT on futures hiked, share buyback taxed as capital gains

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The FM also said the government has proposed a joint panel of Corporate Affairs Ministry and CBDT for incorporation of income computation and disclosure standards.

Budget 2026: Reform Express is on its way, says Nirmala

Budget 2026: Reform Express is on its way, says Nirmala

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Various reforms, including GST, labour codes, and quality control order, have been rolled out since August 15.

STT hike in F&O to deter speculative trading: FM

STT hike in F&O to deter speculative trading: FM

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced an increase in the Securities Transaction Tax (STT) on Futures and Options trade with a view to discouraging small investors from speculative trading in derivatives, which led to a sharp decline in the stock market.

Census twist: Live-in couples seen as 'married' if they call it stable

Census twist: Live-in couples seen as 'married' if they call it stable

Rediff.com31 Mar 2026

The 16th Census of India in 2026 will treat stable live-in relationships as marriages, according to the self-enumeration portal's FAQ section. The portal provides guidance on various housing and household-related questions for self-enumeration.

Iran's FM dials Jaishankar, both leaders discuss Tehran situation

Iran's FM dials Jaishankar, both leaders discuss Tehran situation

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

Earlier in the day, the ministry of external affairs "strongly advised" Indians to avoid travel to Iran until further notice, amid rising tensions and protests in the Islamic Republic.

17 cancer drugs to become cheaper as FM announces 'trust-based' customs regime

17 cancer drugs to become cheaper as FM announces 'trust-based' customs regime

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Sitharaman in her budget speech said that the customs proposal "aim to further simplify the tariff structure, support domestic manufacturing, promote export competitiveness, and correct inversion in duty".

Trump livid as NATO allies refuse help on Hormuz Strait

Trump livid as NATO allies refuse help on Hormuz Strait

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

President Trump asserts the US military has decimated Iran's forces and no longer requires assistance from NATO allies to secure the Strait of Hormuz, despite earlier requests for support.

West Asia conflict: Jaishankar dials Iranian counterpart Araghchi

West Asia conflict: Jaishankar dials Iranian counterpart Araghchi

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

India on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the escalating conflict in Iran and the Gulf region, urging all sides to exercise restraint and prioritise civilian safety.

Punjab Budget Prioritises Security and Surveillance

Punjab Budget Prioritises Security and Surveillance

Rediff.com8 Mar 2026

The Punjab government has allocated Rs 11,577 crore to home affairs, justice, and jails in the 2026-27 budget, focusing on strengthening institutional capacity, technology-driven surveillance, and prison security.

Nirmala Sitharaman, the longest serving FM will present record 9th Budget on Feb 1

Nirmala Sitharaman, the longest serving FM will present record 9th Budget on Feb 1

Rediff.com30 Jan 2026

Sitharaman took charge of the Finance Ministry on May 31, 2019, and has steered the economy through the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical turmoil, making India the fastest-growing major economy in the world.

Khaleda Zia's funeral today; Jaishankar, Pak FM to attend

Khaleda Zia's funeral today; Jaishankar, Pak FM to attend

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

The funeral prayer for former Bangladesh Prime Minister Khaleda Zia will be held on Wednesday in Dhaka. Foreign dignitaries are expected to attend.

West Asia conflict: 170 Indians cross into Armenia from Iran, says govt

West Asia conflict: 170 Indians cross into Armenia from Iran, says govt

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

The Indian embassy in Tehran has earlier stated that it is facilitating the safe movement of nationals who wish to leave Iran.

India free to buy oil from any country, says Russia amid US claims

India free to buy oil from any country, says Russia amid US claims

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

The Kremlin has stated that India is free to purchase oil from any country, dismissing claims that India agreed to reduce Russian oil imports. Russia maintains that energy trade with India benefits both nations and contributes to international energy market stability.

'Global Uncertainties Are Of A Magnitude We've Never Seen Before'

'Global Uncertainties Are Of A Magnitude We've Never Seen Before'

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

'Global uncertainty is something which definitely occupies the minds of officials when we are preparing for the Budget.'

Budget 2026: Prez Murmu offers 'Dahi-Cheeni' to Sitharaman

Budget 2026: Prez Murmu offers 'Dahi-Cheeni' to Sitharaman

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Sitharaman continues with the tradition she set in 2019, carrying the budget speech in a 'bahi-khata', which she used after dropping the briefcase tradition.

Sheetal Devi wins praise from visiting Australian FM

Sheetal Devi wins praise from visiting Australian FM

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

Wong emphasised that sport has become a major pillar of the India-Australia relationship, noting how competitive and respectful the rivalry has grown.

Union Budget 2026: Fiscal deficit target set at 4.3%

Union Budget 2026: Fiscal deficit target set at 4.3%

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a fiscal deficit target of 4.3% of GDP for FY27, continuing the path of fiscal consolidation. The government aims to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio to 55.6% by BE 2026-27 and further to around 50% by March 2031.

AI push: Tax break for global cloud firms using Indian data centres

AI push: Tax break for global cloud firms using Indian data centres

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Union Budget on Sunday proposed a tax holiday till 2047 for foreign companies that provide cloud services to customers globally using data centres located in India, signalling the government's push to make the country a major hub for AI and digital infrastructure.

AI push: Tax break for global cloud firms using Indian data centres

AI push: Tax break for global cloud firms using Indian data centres

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Union Budget on Sunday proposed a tax holiday till 2047 for foreign companies that provide cloud services to customers globally using data centres located in India, signalling the government's push to make the country a major hub for AI and digital infrastructure.

Privatisation of banks unlikely to hurt national interest: FM

Privatisation of banks unlikely to hurt national interest: FM

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday allayed apprehension that privatisation of state-owned banks would hurt financial inclusion and national interest. She said the bank nationalisation done in 1969 has not yielded the desired result as far as financial inclusion was concerned.

Mumbai-Pune Expressway gridlocked for 30 hours; relief likely on Thursday

Mumbai-Pune Expressway gridlocked for 30 hours; relief likely on Thursday

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

The Maharashtra Highway Traffic Police have advised motorists to avoid the Mumbai-Pune Expressway until regular traffic movement is restored.

How BSE, NSE will likely perform this week

How BSE, NSE will likely perform this week

Rediff.com25 Jan 2026

Stock market is gearing up for an eventful week ahead where key triggers such as quarterly earnings from corporates, the US Fed interest rate decision and the upcoming Union Budget for 2026-27 would grab the limelight, analysts said.

Budget Gets a New Address

Budget Gets a New Address

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

Nirmala Sitharaman moved into her Kartavya Bhavan office on October 2, in time to get the work on the Budget 2026-2027 going.

Govt cannot restrain retail investors from trading in F&O: FM

Govt cannot restrain retail investors from trading in F&O: FM

Rediff.com6 Nov 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Thursday said the government cannot restrain retailers from trading in Futures and Options (F&O) but will definitely create awareness regarding the risks involved in putting money in such instruments.

Five Risks For The Indian Economy

Five Risks For The Indian Economy

Rediff.com22 Jan 2026

India has managed high government debt-to-GDP, a slowing domestic revenue engine, lower household savings and a more hostile geopolitical environment separately in the past. But together, they threaten to undo the growth narrative on which today's optimism rests, warns Debashis Basu.

Taliban FM visits Deoband, vows stronger ties with India

Taliban FM visits Deoband, vows stronger ties with India

Rediff.com11 Oct 2025

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi expressed confidence in stronger India-Afghanistan ties following a visit to Darul Uloom Deoband, thanking the people for their warm welcome and indicating plans to send new diplomats to India.

Women scribes denied entry at Afghan FM Muttaqi's presser?

Women scribes denied entry at Afghan FM Muttaqi's presser?

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

A press conference by Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi in New Delhi restricted participation to a select few reporters, notably excluding women journalists, raising concerns about media access and women's rights under the Taliban regime.

After backlash, Afghan FM Muttaqi opens presser to women scribes

After backlash, Afghan FM Muttaqi opens presser to women scribes

Rediff.com12 Oct 2025

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi addressed the controversy surrounding the absence of women journalists at a recent press interaction in New Delhi, stating there was no intention to exclude them. He also discussed trade and investment opportunities between Afghanistan and India.

FIDE World Cup: IM Aronyak Ghosh upsets GM Bartel

FIDE World Cup: IM Aronyak Ghosh upsets GM Bartel

Rediff.com2 Nov 2025

The experienced Surya Shekhar Ganguly, GM Raunak Sadhwani and GM Karthik Venkatraman scored comfortable victories while M Pranesh played out a draw to advance to the second round, while IM Aronyak Ghosh defeated GM Mateusz Bartel of Poland to force a tie-breaker, in the FIDE World Cup 2025 in Panaji on Sunday.

IPL 2026 Auction: Shock Buys Became A Recurring Theme

IPL 2026 Auction: Shock Buys Became A Recurring Theme

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

IPL Auction 2026 was not just about money; it was a celebration of ambition, opportunity, and the unrelenting belief that the next big star could come from anywhere.

Balika Vadhu's Avika Gor Gets Married

Balika Vadhu's Avika Gor Gets Married

Rediff.com1 Oct 2025

Avika Gor wed longtime boyfriend, Milind Chandwani on the sets of their reality show, Pati Patni Aur Panga.

Chinese FM meets Pak Army chief after India visit

Chinese FM meets Pak Army chief after India visit

Rediff.com22 Aug 2025

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Friday met Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir and discussed regional security, counter-terrorism and matters of mutual interest.

Afghan FM's India visit called off due to UN travel ban

Afghan FM's India visit called off due to UN travel ban

Rediff.com6 Sep 2025

If the visit had taken place, then it would have been the first ministerial visit from Kabul to India after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021.

'Borders have been quiet': Chinese FM meets NSA Doval

'Borders have been quiet': Chinese FM meets NSA Doval

Rediff.com19 Aug 2025

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval stated that India-China relations have shown an "upward trend" in the past nine months, with peace prevailing along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). This statement was made during talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on the boundary issue, ahead of Prime Minister Modi's visit to China for the SCO summit.

'Hang my head in shame': Javed Akhtar on 'reception' given to Taliban min in India

'Hang my head in shame': Javed Akhtar on 'reception' given to Taliban min in India

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

'I hang my head in shame when I see the kind of respect and reception that has been given to the representative of the world's worst terrorist group Taliban, by those who beat the pulpit against all kinds of terrorists'