News for 'Foreign Office'

Top Chinese diplomat, touted to be next foreign minister, detained

Top Chinese diplomat, touted to be next foreign minister, detained

Rediff.com10 Aug 2025

The 61-year-old senior diplomat was taken away for questioning in late July after returning to Beijing from an overseas work trip, the paper reported, quoting people familiar with the matter.

Pak-Afghan forces exchange fire amid peace talks

Pak-Afghan forces exchange fire amid peace talks

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

Pakistani and Afghan forces exchanged fire, testing the fragile peace between the two sides as officials from both countries held talks in Turkiye to find a lasting solution to cross-border militancy.

Want To Invest In Largecap Funds In 2026?

Want To Invest In Largecap Funds In 2026?

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

Largecap equity funds remain suitable for conservative and moderate risk-taking investors seeking relatively stable returns.

Police stop protesters' march towards Indian mission in Dhaka

Police stop protesters' march towards Indian mission in Dhaka

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

A protest march towards the Indian High Commission in Dhaka was halted by police, prompting India to express strong concerns about the security of its mission. The protesters demanded the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and others involved in the 'July Uprising'.

New Insurance Amendment Bill: Intermediaries with high commissions may see payouts drop

New Insurance Amendment Bill: Intermediaries with high commissions may see payouts drop

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

Insurance intermediaries who receive disproportionately high commissions are likely to see a decline in their payouts, post the new Insurance Amendment Bill. The new Bill gives the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority of India (Irdai) the power to disgorge unlawful gains made by insurers and intermediaries as well as the right to limit commissions paid to intermediaries.

Christmas event in Haridwar cancelled after Hindu groups protest

Christmas event in Haridwar cancelled after Hindu groups protest

Rediff.com23 Dec 2025

A Christmas event scheduled to be held at a hotel run by the Uttar Pradesh Tourism Department on the banks of the Ganges in Haridwar has been cancelled following objections from Hindu outfits, a hotel official said on Monday.

Rupee breaches 90/dollar for first time; closes at all-time low of 90.15

Rupee breaches 90/dollar for first time; closes at all-time low of 90.15

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The rupee breached 90-levels against the greenback for the first time on Wednesday, falling 6 paise to 90.02 in early trade, as banks kept buying US dollars at higher levels and FII outflows continued.

'Large Part Of Capital Needs To Be Met Via GIFT City'

'Large Part Of Capital Needs To Be Met Via GIFT City'

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

'Foreign capital will continue to come directly into India, but companies have realised that GIFT City is a more cost-efficient way of channelling funds.'

Retail rush, SIPs drive Rs 14 lakh cr jump in mutual fund assets in 2025

Retail rush, SIPs drive Rs 14 lakh cr jump in mutual fund assets in 2025

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

Mutual fund industry extended its bull run in 2025, adding a staggering Rs 14 lakh crore to its asset base and pushing total AUM to a record Rs 81 lakh crore by November, powered by surge in retail participation and record SIP inflows. Venkat Chalasani, chief executive officer of AMFI, told PTI that the industry's outlook remains positive, with steady SIP inflows continuing to offset foreign portfolio investor outflows and strengthening market resilience.

Stricter safeguards on cards for life funds

Stricter safeguards on cards for life funds

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

The government has circulated among members ofParliament a new draft of the Amendment of Insurance laws Bill, 2025, proposing stricter safeguards on the utilisation of life insurance funds and other specified insurance business funds, particularly for dividend payouts, bonuses, and servicing of debentures.

Vijaya Bank to open 4 foreign offices

Vijaya Bank to open 4 foreign offices

Rediff.com10 Aug 2005

Vijaya Bank has planned to open four foreign offices, including a full-fledged branch in Hong Kong while considering to raise about Rs 200-250 crore (Rs 2 to 2.5 billion) tier-II capital after December this year.

Will Gold's Bull Run Continue in 2026?

Will Gold's Bull Run Continue in 2026?

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

'We expect modest returns in 2026 versus the steep gains seen over the past few years.'

Why Dhurandhar Is Unsettling

Why Dhurandhar Is Unsettling

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

Dhurandhar does not ask audiences to cheer blindly, notes Kumar Abhishek. It asks them to see how power operates in grey zones, and at moral cost.

'India sees chaos': Sheikh Hasina slams Yunus over violence

'India sees chaos': Sheikh Hasina slams Yunus over violence

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

'The strain you are witnessing is entirely of Yunus's making. His government issues hostile statements against India, fails to protect religious minorities, and allows extremists to dictate foreign policy, then expresses surprise when tensions rise'

Bollywood Scores Huge In Australia

Bollywood Scores Huge In Australia

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

Indian films are set to cross A$39 million at the Australian box office in 2025, outperforming local cinema and becoming the third-largest after the US and UK.

How Trump's Rules Are Killing American Tourism

How Trump's Rules Are Killing American Tourism

Rediff.com25 Dec 2025

'America has historically been a magnet for people who aren't from here.' 'That sort of thing -- the promise of opportunity, no matter what that looks like -- doesn't grow on trees.' 'It also happens to be geopolitical gold that Trump is flushing down the toilet,' points out Sree Sreenivasan.

Foreign visitors may need to pay $15,000 bond to enter US

Foreign visitors may need to pay $15,000 bond to enter US

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

The Trump administration is implementing a pilot program requiring visitors from countries with high visa overstay rates to pay a bond of up to USD 15,000.

Will 'permanently pause' migration from all 3rd world countries: Trump

Will 'permanently pause' migration from all 3rd world countries: Trump

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

The Trump administration said it will conduct a "rigorous" re-examination of all Green Cards issued to immigrants from "every country of concern".

Red Fort blast: Dr Shaheen wanted to recruit women for mission

Red Fort blast: Dr Shaheen wanted to recruit women for mission

Rediff.com29 Nov 2025

Dr. Shaheen Shahid, arrested in connection with the Delhi blast, planned to recruit women for terrorist activities. NIA investigation reveals cash, gold, and foreign currency were recovered from her hostel room.

Chinese man detained in J-K, searched CRPF deployments, Art 370 on phone

Chinese man detained in J-K, searched CRPF deployments, Art 370 on phone

Rediff.com9 Dec 2025

The officials found that his browsing history indicated an interest in the deployment of paramilitary forces in the Kashmir valley, prompting them to ascertain the purpose of his visit to the strategically important Zanskar region in Ladakh late last month.

'India Should Move Quickly As Conditions Change'

'India Should Move Quickly As Conditions Change'

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

'The real story of 2025 is that India officially stopped being a 'market of the future' and started acting as the world's primary economic engine.'

RBI steers away from aggressive intervention as rupee touches new lows

RBI steers away from aggressive intervention as rupee touches new lows

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

As the rupee remains under pressure due to several headwinds and the uncertainty around the India-US trade deal, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has been stepping in only to calm volatility, not to stop the fall.

Need clear timelines for NCLAT to dispose of appeals: Panel on IBC Bill

Need clear timelines for NCLAT to dispose of appeals: Panel on IBC Bill

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC) Amendment Bill 2025 has failed to introduce specific timelines for the National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) to dispose of appeals, the select committee on the IBC Bill has said in its report.

From fear to footfalls: Kashmir tourism's slow return after Pahalgam

From fear to footfalls: Kashmir tourism's slow return after Pahalgam

Rediff.com28 Dec 2025

The Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir impacted tourism, but recovery efforts are underway with government initiatives and events to promote the region and boost MICE tourism.

Cyclone Ditwah wreaks havoc in Sri Lanka, 80 killed; India provides relief

Cyclone Ditwah wreaks havoc in Sri Lanka, 80 killed; India provides relief

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

Sri Lanka is facing a severe crisis after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread flooding and landslides, resulting in numerous deaths and displacement. India has launched 'Operation Sagar Bandhu' to provide relief. The situation is expected to remain critical with rising river levels and continued rainfall.

Kapil Sharma cafe shooting: Goldy Dhillon gang member arrested

Kapil Sharma cafe shooting: Goldy Dhillon gang member arrested

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

Delhi Police have arrested a suspected gangster linked to the firing incident at comedian Kapil Sharma's restaurant in Canada. The accused is allegedly associated with a Canada-based gangster involved in extortion rackets.

At $4.4 bn, Shriram Fin to get India's largest financial-sector FDI

At $4.4 bn, Shriram Fin to get India's largest financial-sector FDI

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Leading non-banking financial company (NBFC) Shriram Finance on Friday said Japan-based MUFG Bank would invest Rs 39,618 crore, or $4.4 billion, to acquire a 20 per cent stake on a fully diluted basis through a preferential issue of equity shares.

Proposed Nuclear Bill Caps Liability At 3,000 Cr

Proposed Nuclear Bill Caps Liability At 3,000 Cr

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

The operator's liability in the case of an incident is limited to 3,000 crore for reactors with thermal power above 3,600 Megawatt; 1,500 crore for reactors with thermal power between 1,500 Mw and 3,600 Mw; 750 crore for reactors with thermal power between 750 Mw and 1,500 Mw; 300 crore for reactors with thermal power between 150 Mw and 750 Mw; and 100 crore for reactors having thermal power up to 150 Mw, fuel cycle facilities other than spent fuel reprocessing plants and transportation of nuclear materials.

Former Pak spy chief Faiz Hameed jailed for 14 years

Former Pak spy chief Faiz Hameed jailed for 14 years

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Pakistan's former spy chief Faiz Hameed has been sentenced to 14 years in jail by a military court after being found guilty of violating the Official Secrets Act and engaging in political activities. This marks the first time a former ISI chief has been convicted.

Award-winning BrahMos scientist cleared of spying charges after 7 yrs

Award-winning BrahMos scientist cleared of spying charges after 7 yrs

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

Nishant Agarwal, a scientist who worked at the BrahMos missile centre, was cleared of charges of spying for Pakistan by the Bombay High Court after spending seven years in jail. The case revolved around the lack of 'mens rea' (guilty mind) and the prosecution's failure to prove intent.

Thousands of H-1B visa interviews deferred for social media review

Thousands of H-1B visa interviews deferred for social media review

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

The US has postponed thousands of H-1B visa interviews in India, citing enhanced vetting measures including scrutiny of social media profiles. The delays are impacting applicants who were scheduled for interviews from December 15 onwards, with new dates being pushed back by several months.

Delhi blast: Security tightened for India vs SA Test in Kolkata

Delhi blast: Security tightened for India vs SA Test in Kolkata

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

Delhi blast: Heightened security in Kolkata ahead of India-South Africa Test

EC to conduct house-to-house verification of voters in Assam

EC to conduct house-to-house verification of voters in Assam

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

The Election Commission has ordered a 'Special Revision' of electoral rolls in Assam, with the final voter list to be published on February 10, 2026. The revision aims to ensure clean and accurate electoral rolls, with house-to-house verification taking place from November 22 to December 20.

The Dangers Of Sanchar Snoop

The Dangers Of Sanchar Snoop

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

Once the OS layer is opened to the State, it doesn't close, notes Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (retd).

No Deadline for US Trade Deal: Goyal

No Deadline for US Trade Deal: Goyal

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

'I don't think we should ever negotiate with deadlines or hard stops because we tend to make mistakes then.'

India looks to bet big on foreign drillers

India looks to bet big on foreign drillers

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

India, the biggest contributor to world demand for oil, will bring into effect in an overhaul of its drilling policy. This comes after more than a year of preparation and will boost the exploration and development of India's oil and gas sector along with increased participation by foreign drillers

Are You Insured Against Terrorism?

Are You Insured Against Terrorism?

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

'Reviewing terms such as war, invasion, acts of foreign enemies or hostilities, which often appear in industry exclusion lists, can help avoid surprises at the time of claim.'

EC extends SIR schedule by a week amid Opposition concerns

EC extends SIR schedule by a week amid Opposition concerns

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

The Election Commission has extended the schedule for the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in several states and Union Territories following concerns raised by opposition parties.

Over 50 held as T'gana's EAGLE Force hits Nigerian cartel's India Ops

Over 50 held as T'gana's EAGLE Force hits Nigerian cartel's India Ops

Rediff.com29 Nov 2025

Telangana's anti-narcotics wing, the EAGLE Force, conducted a multi-state operation against a Nigerian drug cartel, resulting in over 50 arrests and the seizure of narcotics worth Rs 3.5 crore.

Trump announces 100% tariffs on foreign-made movies, India to be hit

Trump announces 100% tariffs on foreign-made movies, India to be hit

Rediff.com30 Sep 2025

Trump said California has been particularly "hard hit" because of this, blaming democrat Gavin Newsom, the Governor of California, for this loss, calling him "weak and incompetent."