News for 'Foreign Office'

Supreme Court: Pilot Not To Be Blamed For Air India Crash

Supreme Court: Pilot Not To Be Blamed For Air India Crash

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court on Friday said no one blamed the chief pilot of the Air India Dreamliner for the June 12 crash, which claimed 260 lives, and asked his 91-year-old father not to carry any emotional burden.

Indian-origin US advisor arrested for keeping 'TOP SECRET' docs

Indian-origin US advisor arrested for keeping 'TOP SECRET' docs

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

According to the Justice Department, Tellis, 64, the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment think-tank, served as an unpaid senior adviser to the State Department and was also a contractor with the Office of Net Assessment at the Department of Defense.

Saudi Pledges To Defend Pakistan Against Attack, India Says...

Saudi Pledges To Defend Pakistan Against Attack, India Says...

Rediff.com18 Sep 2025

Saudi Arabia and Pakistan have signed a 'Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement', pledging that any aggression against either nation would be treated as an attack on both.

M&M, Manulife to form life insurance JV with 7,200 crore investment

M&M, Manulife to form life insurance JV with 7,200 crore investment

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

Canadian firm Manulife and Mahindra & Mahindra (M&M), an Indian automaker with interests in financial services, have signed an agreement to form a 50:50 life insurance joint venture (JV) with a total capital commitment of up to Rs 3,600 crore each totalling Rs 7,200 crore.

Vietnam Emerges As India's Key Defence Partner

Vietnam Emerges As India's Key Defence Partner

Rediff.com17 Nov 2025

The 15th India-Vietnam Defence Dialogue signalled a move from routine talks to deeper cooperation, with new deals on submarine rescue and defence industry to support stability in the Indo-Pacific, notes Dr Rajaram Panda.

Was US India's Ally Or Foe In The 1962 War?

Was US India's Ally Or Foe In The 1962 War?

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

What appeared to be a generous act of friendship was, in truth, a manoeuvre within a much larger strategic game. The United States used the 1962 war not just to aid India but to test how far it could be pulled into the Western fold, points out Dr Kumar.

RBI's short dollar forward position up after 7 months

RBI's short dollar forward position up after 7 months

Rediff.com4 Nov 2025

The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) short dollar forward positions rose by $6 billion in September - the first increase in seven months - indicating the central bank's readiness to defend the rupee in the forward market amid pressure on the currency, latest data showed. The net short dollar position stood at $59.4 billion at the end of September, up from $53.4 billion in August.

Modi's Risky Gamble With The Taliban

Modi's Risky Gamble With The Taliban

Rediff.com21 Oct 2025

Developing relations with the Taliban is needed, but plunging headlong into Afghanistan without due thought will be akin to the rooster entering a KFC outlet, warns Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (Retd).

Gangsters tasked to kill comic Munawar Faruqui arrested

Gangsters tasked to kill comic Munawar Faruqui arrested

Rediff.com2 Oct 2025

Two members of a gang allegedly tasked with eliminating stand-up comedian Munawar Faruqui were arrested after a gunfight in New Delhi. The suspects were taking instructions from foreign-based gangsters and had conducted reconnaissance in Mumbai and Bengaluru to track Faruqi's movements.

Why The Congress Has Rediscovered Sitaram Kesri

Why The Congress Has Rediscovered Sitaram Kesri

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

It was significant that the ceremony took place at 24, Akbar Road, the party's former national headquarters, and not at its new office in Kotla Road.

SIR to begin in 9 states, 3 UTs tomorrow

SIR to begin in 9 states, 3 UTs tomorrow

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

Special Intensive Revision (SIR), the Election Commission's voters' list cleanup exercise, will commence in nine states and three Union territories from Tuesday.

Govt scraps FCRA licence of Wangchuk's NGO amid Ladakh unrest

Govt scraps FCRA licence of Wangchuk's NGO amid Ladakh unrest

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

The cancellation means the Leh-based institute will no longer be able to receive or utilise foreign funding.

EC to begin pan-India SIR next week in '10-15 states'

EC to begin pan-India SIR next week in '10-15 states'

Rediff.com25 Oct 2025

Assam, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Kerala and West Bengal will to polls in 2026 and they are amongst the states where the voters' list cleanup exercise will begin first.

How India Got The MiG-21 63 Years Ago

How India Got The MiG-21 63 Years Ago

Rediff.com26 Sep 2025

The MiG-21 episode demonstrates that procurement is always strategic.
Choices about what aircraft to acquire, who builds them, who supplies the spares, who trains the pilots and technicians are decisions with political consequences lasting for decades.

Pak reaffirms desire for normal ties with India, seeks dialogue

Pak reaffirms desire for normal ties with India, seeks dialogue

Rediff.com5 Jul 2025

Pakistan has reiterated its desire for normal neighbourly relations with India, while also criticizing India's decision to put the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance. The Foreign Office spokesperson emphasized Pakistan's commitment to diplomacy and regional cooperation.

Market maturity fuelled India's IPO boom, say i-bankers

Market maturity fuelled India's IPO boom, say i-bankers

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

The domestic initial public offering (IPO) market is experiencing a significant surge, fuelled by the financialisation of savings, digital ease of investing, and expanding participation from both retail and institutional investors, investment bankers said on Wednesday.

Haryana IPS suicide: DGP likely to be sent on leave

Haryana IPS suicide: DGP likely to be sent on leave

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini held a meeting with top officials to address concerns related to the death of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar. The government is considering actions based on a complaint filed by Kumar's wife.

No concept of digital or online arrest under PMLA: ED

No concept of digital or online arrest under PMLA: ED

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) clarifies that 'digital arrests' are not valid under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and advises the public to verify the authenticity of summons received.

Nurses 'throw' books critical of religion at official in Mumbai

Nurses 'throw' books critical of religion at official in Mumbai

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

Nurses at a Mumbai hospital allegedly threw books critical of religion at an official who gifted them, claiming the books hurt their religious sentiments. A video of the incident has gone viral.

Haryana top cop found dead at home, suicide suspected

Haryana top cop found dead at home, suicide suspected

Rediff.com7 Oct 2025

Senior Haryana police officer Y Puran Kumar was found dead with a gunshot wound at his Chandigarh home. Police suspect suicide. He was the inspector general, Police Training Centre, in Sunaria, Rohtak.

India said...: Pak minister amid Trump's ceasefire claims

India said...: Pak minister amid Trump's ceasefire claims

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

Dar recalled that when he met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in July and asked about dialogue with India, the top US diplomat clarified that India has maintained it is a "bilateral issue."

Don't Expect A Reprieve From Trump!

Don't Expect A Reprieve From Trump!

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

'There are times when India should stand up without hesitation and voice its indignation over the US' pressure tactic. This is one such moment,' asserts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

'I Want To Inspire Others And Help Us As A Nation'

'I Want To Inspire Others And Help Us As A Nation'

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

'I'm looking at it as a chance to play international football, to represent India, and to hopefully inspire other players with a similar background to me, to show them that they can come to India and do the same thing.'

Vedanta net profit plunges 59% on exceptional losses

Vedanta net profit plunges 59% on exceptional losses

Rediff.com1 Nov 2025

Mining major Vedanta's consolidated net profit plunged 58.69 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 1,798 crore in the second quarter of 2025-26 (Q2FY26), dragged down by exceptional losses booked during the period under review. The company had reported a net exceptional gain of Rs 1,160 crore in Q2FY25.

New Visa Rules: Tough Times Ahead For UK-Bound Indian Grads

New Visa Rules: Tough Times Ahead For UK-Bound Indian Grads

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

Indian graduates face tougher English tests, shorter post-study stays, higher costs and stricter settlement rules as Britain rolls out sweeping immigration reforms.

'India shown in bad light': SC slams states on stray dogs

'India shown in bad light': SC slams states on stray dogs

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

The Supreme Court has directed chief secretaries of states and Union Territories (excluding West Bengal and Telangana) to appear on November 3 to explain the lack of compliance affidavits in the stray dogs case.

India, UK hold annual foreign office consultations

India, UK hold annual foreign office consultations

Rediff.com1 Jun 2012

India and the UK on held their annual foreign office consulations during which they discussed a number of key bilateral issues with focus on trade and visa besides regional matters.

Srini Gopalan named new CEO of T-Mobile

Srini Gopalan named new CEO of T-Mobile

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

Indian-American executive Srini Gopalan has been appointed chief executive officer of telecom operator T-Mobile, amid ongoing debates over H-1B visa policies. Gopalan's appointment, effective from November 1, 2025, comes as US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a staggering $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, triggering widespread panic, concern and fear among Indian professionals on work visa.

How Trump's Latest Threat Will Hit Indian Movies

How Trump's Latest Threat Will Hit Indian Movies

Rediff.com30 Sep 2025

'A 100% tariff could cut the Indian film industry's US revenues by 30% to 40%.'

Trump meets 'friend' Xi amid trade tension

Trump meets 'friend' Xi amid trade tension

Rediff.com30 Oct 2025

Trump also praised Chinese President as "a great leader of a great country" and said the two sides had "already agreed to a lot of things."

2 ISIS operatives arrested in Delhi; Molotov cocktails, IED timer seized

2 ISIS operatives arrested in Delhi; Molotov cocktails, IED timer seized

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

The suspected ISIS operatives are both named Adnan -- one from Sadiq Nagar in Delhi and the other from Bhopal, a senior police officer said.

Russia exits nuclear treaty with US after Trump's submarine move

Russia exits nuclear treaty with US after Trump's submarine move

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

Russia announces its withdrawal from a self-imposed moratorium on deploying intermediate-range missiles, citing escalating tensions with the US and the repositioning of American nuclear submarines.

2nd phase of voter revision in 12 states, UTs from Nov-Feb

2nd phase of voter revision in 12 states, UTs from Nov-Feb

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

The Election Commission will conduct phase two of the special intensive revision of electoral rolls in 12 states and Union territories between November and February, Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar announced on Monday.

Indians sanctioned by US for aiding Iran's energy trade

Indians sanctioned by US for aiding Iran's energy trade

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

The Indian nationals sanctioned include Varun Pula, who owns Marshall Islands-based Bertha Shipping Inc., which owns and operates Comoros-flagged vessel PAMIR.

Deepotsav Has Deepened Ayodhya's Aura

Deepotsav Has Deepened Ayodhya's Aura

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

'Deepotsav aligns with the Adityanath government's vision to enhance Ayodhya's spiritual and cultural grandeur and transform it into a global pilgrimage and tourism hub.'

Pan-India SIR: EC to begin with states going to polls next year

Pan-India SIR: EC to begin with states going to polls next year

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

The Election Commission is expected to initiate a phased, pan-India special intensive revision (SIR) of the voters' list, prioritizing states with upcoming assembly elections. This cleanup exercise aims to weed out illegal foreign migrants and ensure accurate electoral rolls.

Mamata links man's suicide to NRC terror, blames BJP

Mamata links man's suicide to NRC terror, blames BJP

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

A man's alleged suicide in West Bengal, with a note blaming the National Register of Citizens (NRC), has ignited a political firestorm between the ruling TMC and the BJP, with accusations of fear-mongering and political exploitation.

'Taliban Was Never Anti-India'

'Taliban Was Never Anti-India'

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

'Pakistan is uncomfortable with the Indian presence in Afghanistan. They want the Taliban to ensure that there is no Indian presence in Afghanistan.'

CBI probes 'FCRA violations' by Wangchuk's institution

CBI probes 'FCRA violations' by Wangchuk's institution

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an inquiry into alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) against an institution founded by Ladakh-based educationist and activist Sonam Wangchuk. The inquiry follows a complaint from the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL).

Can Private Bankers Transform Public Sector Banks?

Can Private Bankers Transform Public Sector Banks?

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

Yes, the entry of private bankers, particularly with global experience will add value to PSBs, points out Tamal Bandyopadhyay.