News for 'Foreign Commonwealth Office'

Medical Tourism Revenues Grow Despite Conflicts

Medical Tourism Revenues Grow Despite Conflicts

Rediff.com26 May 2026

While the West Asia conflict has led to a drop in patient footfalls, hospitals are seeing higher realisations as international patients increasingly travel for complex, high-end procedures.

UK Calls for Negotiation After US-Israel Strikes on Iran

UK Calls for Negotiation After US-Israel Strikes on Iran

Rediff.com28 Feb 2026

The British government has called for a negotiated solution to prevent further escalation of conflict in the Middle East following joint strikes by the US and Israel on Iran, emphasizing the safety of UK nationals and the need to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

Iranian drone strikes British Air Force unit in Cyprus

Iranian drone strikes British Air Force unit in Cyprus

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

Amidst rising tensions in the Middle East, an Iranian drone struck a British RAF base in Cyprus, prompting the UK to allow US defensive operations and consider evacuation plans for British citizens in the region.

Khamenei Among 10 Of The World's Longest-Serving Leaders

Khamenei Among 10 Of The World's Longest-Serving Leaders

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

From founding fathers to Europe's most unyielding rulers, these figures have not just held office, they have established a cult of leadership and will leave legacies, mostly mixed, that few can rival.

UK updates India travel advisory after Delhi car blast

UK updates India travel advisory after Delhi car blast

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

The UK has updated its travel advisory for British nationals travelling to India following an explosion near the Red Fort Metro Station in Delhi. The advisory urges British nationals in Delhi to follow the advice of local authorities.

Tourism Faces Jolt After Delhi Blast

Tourism Faces Jolt After Delhi Blast

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

'Tourists from long-haul markets such as the US, UK, and Western Europe are especially sensitive to such news, and short-term cancellations or postponements of planned trips can be expected.'

MI6 launches dark web portal to recruit spies worldwide

MI6 launches dark web portal to recruit spies worldwide

Rediff.com19 Sep 2025

MI6 launches a dark web portal, 'Silent Courier,' to recruit spies globally, targeting Russia and other regions. The initiative aims to enhance UK's intelligence capabilities against growing threats.

Why China's Claim On Shaksgam Valley Is Baseless

Why China's Claim On Shaksgam Valley Is Baseless

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

Today's situation in the Shaksgam Valley is the consequence of what happened in Gilgit in 1947. But is India ready to militarily get back its territories? asks Claude Arpi.

Long wait ends! BFI set to elect new office-bearers

Long wait ends! BFI set to elect new office-bearers

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

Months of uncertainty due to governance issues, turf wars and internal power struggles are set to end when the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) holds its much-delayed elections on Thursday.

Heartbreaking, devastating: Modi, UK PM on AI plane crash

Heartbreaking, devastating: Modi, UK PM on AI plane crash

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

A London-bound Air India plane carrying 242 passengers and crew crashed in a residential area moments after taking off from the Ahmedabad airport on Thursday afternoon. Many people are feared killed.

Air India crash: Indian diaspora in UK helps in fundraisers

Air India crash: Indian diaspora in UK helps in fundraisers

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

The Indian diaspora in London has been rallying around to coordinate fundraisers to support the UK-based family members of the Ahmedabad plane crash victims, including urgent assistance for two orphaned children.

UK condemns security breach during Jaishankar's visit

UK condemns security breach during Jaishankar's visit

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

The UK has strongly condemned a security breach involving a pro-Khalistan extremist rushing towards External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's convoy in London. The incident took place as Jaishankar was leaving the Chatham House think tank on Wednesday evening. The protester was swiftly taken aside by officers of the Metropolitan Police, with no arrests being confirmed so far. The UK said such attempts to "intimidate, threaten, or disrupt" public events are "completely unacceptable". The incident comes after Jaishankar's talks with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, during which both leaders covered the entire gamut of bilateral ties, including the relaunched Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations, regional and global issues. The MEA has condemned the security breach and the provocative activities of the "small group of separatists and extremists", calling on the UK to "live up to their diplomatic obligations".

Pro-Khalistanis target Jaishankar's convoy in London, India reacts

Pro-Khalistanis target Jaishankar's convoy in London, India reacts

Rediff.com6 Mar 2025

The group waving separatist flags was barricaded and monitored by a significant police presence outside the venue on Wednesday night, with officers rushing to restrain the man as he ran past the barricade in an attempt to block the path of the minister's car pulling at an Indian flag.

Why rich Indians are planning to move to Greece or Grenada

Why rich Indians are planning to move to Greece or Grenada

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

Given the strong interest among rich Indians to settle abroad, the Dubai-based company has opened a full-fledged office in New Delhi and plans to follow it up soon with an office in Mumbai and then a few in central and southern parts of the country.

Why rich Indians are planning to move to Greece or Grenada

Why rich Indians are planning to move to Greece or Grenada

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

Given the strong interest among rich Indians to settle abroad, the Dubai-based company has opened a full-fledged office in New Delhi and plans to follow it up soon with an office in Mumbai and then a few in central and southern parts of the country.

David Beckham of Andamans pedals his way to gold!

David Beckham of Andamans pedals his way to gold!

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

Elkatohchoongo was the best Indian cyclist at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, reaching to the quarter-finals.

Modi pays tribute to fallen Indian soldiers in Marseille

Modi pays tribute to fallen Indian soldiers in Marseille

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

Marseilles was the base of the Indian troops in France during the 1914-18 war and throughout the War the Royal Navy, the Merchant Navy, British troops and labour units worked in the port or passed through it, the CWGC website said.

'Chief mouser' Palmerston retires as UK's top diplomatic cat

'Chief mouser' Palmerston retires as UK's top diplomatic cat

Rediff.com7 Aug 2020

Lord Palmerston, famed for regular territorial tiffs with neighbouring Downing Street mouse-catcher Larry, will see out his retirement in the English countryside, where he has been spending lockdown already at the home of a member of Foreign Office staff.

UK issues travel advisory for 26/11 anniversary

UK issues travel advisory for 26/11 anniversary

Rediff.com12 Nov 2009

The recent travel advisory issued by the British government has warned its nationals from visiting Goa and four metropolis in India in wake of possible terror attacks in these cities. The advisory on the UK government Foreign Commonwealth Office website named Goa along with four major metro cities.

Karnataka's Nataraj, Desinghu on cloud 9!

Karnataka's Nataraj, Desinghu on cloud 9!

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

Nataraj and Desinghu are tipped to become the best male and female athletes of the Games.

Canada row: UK disagrees with India's position

Canada row: UK disagrees with India's position

Rediff.com21 Oct 2023

The United Kingdom has shown its disagreement with India's action after the India-Canada standoff which resulted in the departure of 41 Canadian diplomats from India and called for resolution of differences through discussion.

'Disgraceful': India condemns Glasgow gurudwara incident

'Disgraceful': India condemns Glasgow gurudwara incident

Rediff.com30 Sep 2023

'On September 29, 2023, three persons- all from areas outside Scotland-deliberately disrupted a planned interaction organised by the Gurudwara Committee for the community, the High Commissioner and the Consul General of India. This interaction was to discuss community and consular issues,' the High Commission of India, London said in a statement on Saturday.

BBC, Modi And The Sunak Factor

BBC, Modi And The Sunak Factor

Rediff.com27 Jan 2023

Keeping the contents of the BBC documentary aside, Rishi Sunak's response needs to be viewed in the backdrop of Britain's historically close relations with Pakistan, argues Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

Days after I-T survey, UK govt 'stands up for' BBC

Days after I-T survey, UK govt 'stands up for' BBC

Rediff.com22 Feb 2023

The British government has strongly defended the BBC and its editorial freedom in Parliament after the Income-Tax department's survey operations on the United Kingdom-headquartered media corporation's New Delhi and Mumbai offices over three days last week.

Pakistan resents Commonwealth's ultimatum

Pakistan resents Commonwealth's ultimatum

Rediff.com14 Nov 2007

Pakistan's foreign office spokesman expressed disappointment at the Commonwealth's ultimatum, and said that decisions of vital importance would be taken in accordance with Pakistan's national interests, and not on the basis of artificially set external timelines.

Kamlesh Sharma new Commonwealth Secy Gen

Kamlesh Sharma new Commonwealth Secy Gen

Rediff.com24 Nov 2007

Having immense experience in dealing with global issues, Sharma has served with distinction at various key positions, including as India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations and spokesperson for developing countries in the UNCTAD during the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations.

BBC documentary: Sunak defends Modi, snubs Pak-origin MP

BBC documentary: Sunak defends Modi, snubs Pak-origin MP

Rediff.com19 Jan 2023

"Of course, we do not tolerate persecution anywhere, but I am not sure that I agree at all with the characterisation that the hon. gentleman has put forward," the British prime minister said.

Sunak sacks Indian origin home secy; Ex-PM Cameron brought in

Sunak sacks Indian origin home secy; Ex-PM Cameron brought in

Rediff.com13 Nov 2023

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday sacked his Indian-origin Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, and replaced her with James Cleverly, while former premier David Cameron, in an unusual move, is back in the frontline government as the new foreign secretary.

Bulk of Russian forces 30km from centre of Kyiv: UK

Bulk of Russian forces 30km from centre of Kyiv: UK

Rediff.com26 Feb 2022

Taking to Twitter, the ministry shared the intelligence update and said, 'Russian forces have continued their advance on Kyiv with the bulk of their forces now 30km from centre of the city.'

Diplomatic Expulsions: Games Nations Play

Diplomatic Expulsions: Games Nations Play

Rediff.com18 Oct 2024

India and Canada have mutually beneficial political and economic linkages. The two countries should get together and find a solution. The expulsion war should, in the meantime, be a guarantee against any deterioration of the situation, asserts Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, the first Indian head of mission to be ever expelled by any country.

Khalistani attack on Indian Commission: 1 held in London

Khalistani attack on Indian Commission: 1 held in London

Rediff.com5 Oct 2023

Scotland Yard has arrested a man on suspicion of 'violent disorder' in connection with an attack on the Indian High Commission in London in March this year.

Queen likely to host Biden at Buckingham Palace: Report

Queen likely to host Biden at Buckingham Palace: Report

Rediff.com31 Jan 2021

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is expected to host US President Joe Biden at Buckingham Palace ahead of the G7 summit scheduled between June 11 and 13.

President Murmu to attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral in London

President Murmu to attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral in London

Rediff.com14 Sep 2022

Queen Elizabeth II, who died aged 96 at her Balmoral Castle summer residence in Scotland on September 8, will be laid to rest at a state funeral at Westminster Abbey on September 19.

Stand with Israel in its darkest hour, Sunak tells Netanyahu in Tel Aviv

Stand with Israel in its darkest hour, Sunak tells Netanyahu in Tel Aviv

Rediff.com19 Oct 2023

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Thursday pledged to stand with Israel in its "darkest hour" and welcomed the opening of a humanitarian corridor into Gaza as he held talks with the country's top leadership during his two-day visit to the Middle East aimed at preventing further escalation of conflict in the region.

Pro-Khalistan extremists block Indian envoy's visit to UK gurdwara

Pro-Khalistan extremists block Indian envoy's visit to UK gurdwara

Rediff.com30 Sep 2023

The Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami, who was touring Scotland this week was blocked from entering a gurdwara in the capital Glasgow by pro-Khalistan extremists.

For first time UK puts support for India in UNSC in policy document

For first time UK puts support for India in UNSC in policy document

Rediff.com13 Mar 2023

The UK government made its first major commitment to support UN Security Council reforms and India's permanent membership within it as part of a refreshed defence and foreign policy review tabled in Parliament on Monday.

Civil N-energy co-operation tops India-UK talks

Civil N-energy co-operation tops India-UK talks

Rediff.com3 Apr 2006

The two countries held annual foreign office consultations.

Indian-origin MP gets UK parliament to debate Bhopal gas tragedy

Indian-origin MP gets UK parliament to debate Bhopal gas tragedy

Rediff.com16 Nov 2022

An Indian-origin Opposition Labour Party MP secured a debate in Westminster Hall of the UK parliament to call for justice for the victims of Bhopal gas tragedy, which will mark its 38th anniversary early next month.

Singing 'Jai Ho' and 'Rang De Basanti', Indians throng high commission in solidarity

Singing 'Jai Ho' and 'Rang De Basanti', Indians throng high commission in solidarity

Rediff.com21 Mar 2023

Several Indian diaspora groups on Tuesday gathered for a festive demonstration outside the India House in London to show solidarity with the Indian mission following the vandalism at its premises by Khalistan extremists over the weekend.

Indian envoy's wife, family can't stay: Britain

Indian envoy's wife, family can't stay: Britain

Rediff.com19 Jan 2011

The wife of an Indian diplomat, who had reportedly sought asylum in the United Kingdom after allegedly being assaulted by her husband, has to leave the country along with her family, the British Foreign Office said on Wednesday.