News for 'Foreign Office'

After 3 years, a bureaucrat to head Sebi

After 3 years, a bureaucrat to head Sebi

Rediff.com28 Feb 2025

Seasoned bureaucrat and a stickler for rules Finance Secretary Tuhin Kanta Pandey will be at the helm of capital market regulator, Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), for three years. The 1987-batch Odisha-cadre Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer, Pandey, would replace Madhabi Puri Buch, whose three-year term ends on Friday.

Trump posts 'reciprocal tariffs' ahead of meeting with Modi

Trump posts 'reciprocal tariffs' ahead of meeting with Modi

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

US President Donald Trump said on Thursday that a news conference on reciprocal tariffs will be made later on Thursday.

India, US decide to hold sector-specific talks for proposed trade pact

India, US decide to hold sector-specific talks for proposed trade pact

Rediff.com29 Mar 2025

India and the US have decided to hold sector-specific talks in the coming weeks to finalise the structure of the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA), the government said on Saturday. The engagement between the two countries came in the backdrop of the USA's threat to impose reciprocal tariffs on its key trading partners, including India, on April 2.

BJP MP seeks privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi over LS speech

BJP MP seeks privilege motion against Rahul Gandhi over LS speech

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

BJP MP Nishikant Dubey has written to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla seeking initiation of breach of privilege proceedings against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for making "blatant lies and vilification campaign" during his speech in the House. Dubey alleged that Gandhi used his parliamentary privilege to spread canards without authenticating his charges and distorted historical facts during his speech. Gandhi had claimed that mobile phones were not made in India but only assembled here, China has captured the Indian territory, and India had sent Foreign Minister S Jaishankar to the US to get an invite for Prime Minister Narendra Modi for US President Donald Trump's swearing-in ceremony. He also made allegations related to the electoral rolls for the Maharashtra Assembly polls and the law for the appointment of the elections commissioner. Dubey accused Gandhi of misusing the Constitution's Article 105, which accords privileges to parliamentarians for their comments made inside the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. He urged the Speaker to initiate proceedings against Gandhi, alleging that Parliament's records and proceedings are a testimony to his irresponsible attitude.

'No Speed Bumps In The Relationship'

'No Speed Bumps In The Relationship'

Rediff.com12 Feb 2025

'For the Indian economy to maintain a growth rate of 7 to 8 per cent, it needs large foreign direct investment coming in, and that's mainly coming from the US.'

'May All Know The Greatness Of India'

'May All Know The Greatness Of India'

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

Many ordinary citizens are drawn to by a sense of history and India's remarkable journey from bondage to freedom which culminated in this monumental building.

Trump Has Become A Reset Button

Trump Has Become A Reset Button

Rediff.com11 Apr 2025

Trump's sweeping tariffs and penalties on China-built ships have turned global shipping into the front line of economic war, observes Shyam G Menon.

How Manoj Kumar Became Mr Bharat

How Manoj Kumar Became Mr Bharat

Rediff.com5 Apr 2025

Shaheed was Manoj Kumar's first patriotic success. This small-budget black-and-white film had enormous impact, besides laying the foundation for Manoj's famous flag-waving Mr Bharat image that was strengthened by a string of subsequent films like Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim and Kranti.

What If China, America Make Up?

What If China, America Make Up?

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

Trump spoke approvingly of his recent telephone conversation with Xi Jinping. This could indicate the possibility of America and China reaching some level of tactical accommodation, which would not be good news for India, points out Ambassador Shyam Saran, a former foreign secretary.

UK follows Trump? Indian eateries in UK under lens for illegal immigrants

UK follows Trump? Indian eateries in UK under lens for illegal immigrants

Rediff.com10 Feb 2025

The UK Home Office has announced a crackdown on illegal working across the country, targeting restaurants, nail bars, convenience stores, and car washes. In January, Immigration Enforcement teams conducted record-breaking raids, arresting 609 individuals, a 73% increase from the previous year. The crackdown comes as the government introduces new legislation aimed at tackling criminal gangs that facilitate illegal immigration. The Home Office highlights the dangers of illegal migration and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals while emphasizing its commitment to safeguarding workers and removing foreign criminals.

Australia unveils ambitious roadmap to boost trade with India

Australia unveils ambitious roadmap to boost trade with India

Rediff.com26 Feb 2025

Australia on Wednesday unveiled an ambitious roadmap to deepen and diversify its trade and investment ties with India. The roadmap identified four "superhighways of growth" -- clean energy, education and skills, agribusiness, and tourism. Broadly, it sets out a pathway to focus ongoing efforts, including to boost two-way investment, and work with Indian-Australian communities and businesses.

Kesari 2: What *Really* Happened

Kesari 2: What *Really* Happened

Rediff.com16 Apr 2025

The grilling of Brigadier-General Dyer by Akshay Kumar's Sir C Sankaran Nair, as shown in Kesari 2, is purely an imaginary sequence, proves Utkarsh Mishra.

ED seizes 'biggest' crypto fund worth Rs 1,646 crore

ED seizes 'biggest' crypto fund worth Rs 1,646 crore

Rediff.com15 Feb 2025

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized its biggest-ever cryptocurrency worth Rs 1,646 crore in a money laundering investigation into a fraud investment scheme called BitConnect. The scheme, which ran between 2016 and 2018, promised investors high returns through a proprietary trading bot but was found to be a sham. The ED tracked transactions through the dark web and seized the cryptocurrency from numerous wallets. This is the agency's largest-ever seizure of virtual digital assets and the investigation is ongoing.

New FBI chief Kash Patel traces his roots to Gujarat village

New FBI chief Kash Patel traces his roots to Gujarat village

Rediff.com21 Feb 2025

Kash Patel, the first Indian-American to head the FBI, has traced his roots to Bhadran village in Gujarat's Anand district. Patel's family migrated to Uganda 70 to 80 years ago, before selling their ancestral houses and moving to foreign countries. Patel was born in New York and is a trained lawyer who is an ice-hockey fan.

Trump extends TikTok deadline by 75 days

Trump extends TikTok deadline by 75 days

Rediff.com21 Jan 2025

US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order extending the operations of TikTok, the Chinese-controlled video-sharing platform, by 75 days. Trump intends to pursue a resolution that protects national security while preserving the platform used by 170 million Americans. The order instructs the attorney general to refrain from enforcing a law that would have forced TikTok's parent company ByteDance to divest from the app or face a ban from US app stores. Trump cited the national security concerns posed by TikTok and the need to review sensitive intelligence related to these concerns. He also emphasized the importance of finding a resolution that protects national security without abruptly shutting down the platform.

'Tahawwur Rana Won't Get Solitary Confinement, But...'

'Tahawwur Rana Won't Get Solitary Confinement, But...'

Rediff.com11 Apr 2025

'It is ensured that no adversaries or people who oppose Tahawwur Rana's philosophy are housed in the same ward or jail.' 'Additionally, it is ensured that he does not have any prior contacts within that jail.' 'So, the lodgment of such a high-profile prisoner is done very carefully.'

Israel agrees to US ceasefire proposal for Ramzan

Israel agrees to US ceasefire proposal for Ramzan

Rediff.com2 Mar 2025

The temporary truce aims to ease tensions during the religious holidays. Further details on its implementation are yet to be disclosed.

Want A US Visa? Pray to Lord Hanuman!

Want A US Visa? Pray to Lord Hanuman!

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

As the US gets tougher with visas, the prayers of US-bound devotees in India are getting more fervent, and their purse strings looser. Called Visa Hanuman temples (there are half a dozen all over India), some of them ask for a 'fee'.

What Is A Gift Deed?

What Is A Gift Deed?

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

All that you must know about the pros and cons of gift deeds, tax implications, essentials, documents required, conditions, etc...

'Trump Has Very Positive View Of Modi'

'Trump Has Very Positive View Of Modi'

Rediff.com17 Feb 2025

'By his words, actions, and body language during their joint press appearance wanted to convey his personal respect and, more broadly, his desire to work closely with India.'

Will Modi's recent Kyiv visit open door for Ukraine peace talks?

Will Modi's recent Kyiv visit open door for Ukraine peace talks?

Rediff.com31 Aug 2024

The spokesperson said India has "always advocated constructive, solution-oriented, and practical engagement with all stakeholders to achieve a negotiated settlement to this conflict".

'Trump Respects India's Friendship'

'Trump Respects India's Friendship'

Rediff.com7 Mar 2025

'The cooperation in technology is one of the most important aspects of the visit.' 'It will have a long-lasting impact because it will shift the entire paradigm in the context of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.'

Rupee depreciation may exacerbate market sell-off if downtrend continues

Rupee depreciation may exacerbate market sell-off if downtrend continues

Rediff.com21 Jan 2025

Rupee depreciation, if it continues, will likely pull the markets down further. Since September 2024, the rupee has declined by 3.1 per cent, the Nifty has dropped by 8.5 per cent during the same period, and the Sensex has fallen by 7.3 per cent. If the decline continues, markets will need to brace for more pain as it could push foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) to exit their positions faster than anticipated.

'Difficult To Trust Yunus Govt In Dhaka'

'Difficult To Trust Yunus Govt In Dhaka'

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

'It was the hostility of the Yunus regime that made India careful and wary of dealing with them.' 'They gradually backed off and lowered the noise, but the damage was done.' 'Their true colours had been exposed.'

'Modi Bought A Reprieve, Not A Resolution'

'Modi Bought A Reprieve, Not A Resolution'

Rediff.com18 Feb 2025

'Modi's intention was to create goodwill that will allow India to be seen by Trump as more than just a bad tariff problem.' 'He succeeded brilliantly on that count but none of these wins are unfortunately permanent.' 'Modi will have to do this again and again if Trump's grievances are to be durably assuaged.'

Netanyahu's Gaza Plan: Trap For Trump?

Netanyahu's Gaza Plan: Trap For Trump?

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

'Netanyahu lured Trump into a trap by enticing him with a seductive scenario of massive lucrative business in Gaza's reconstruction.' 'Trump's imagination is running riot, completely disconnected from ground realities,' asserts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

BFI vs IOA: Why Indian boxing is in turmoil

BFI vs IOA: Why Indian boxing is in turmoil

Rediff.com25 Feb 2025

Abuse of power, financial misconduct, and the never-ending turf wars are now coming to light as Boxing Federation of India's officials jostle to escape blame for the shocking turn of events.

FCRA licence of NGOs will be scrapped if..., warns govt

FCRA licence of NGOs will be scrapped if..., warns govt

Rediff.com11 Nov 2024

FCRA registration will also be cancelled if any NGO is not utilising foreign funding as per the aims and objectives of the NGO or if it has not uploaded the annual returns, the ministry said.

The Aamir Khan You Don't Know

The Aamir Khan You Don't Know

Rediff.com17 Mar 2025

'Had anyone asked me if I was Aamir Khan, I would have admitted to it.' Senior movie journalist Roshmila Bhattacharya flips through the pages of her many interactions with Aamir Khan, who turned 60 on March 14.

Mutual Funds Emerge As Financiers For M&A Deals

Mutual Funds Emerge As Financiers For M&A Deals

Rediff.com6 Feb 2025

'Growth for some companies has been hard to come by and this is a smart way to get there.'

'Handcuffed and humiliated': Cong on deportation of Indians

'Handcuffed and humiliated': Cong on deportation of Indians

Rediff.com5 Feb 2025

The Congress on Wednesday expressed sadness over 'pictures of Indians getting handcuffed and humiliated' while being deported from the United States and recalled that America had to express regret over the treatment meted out to India diplomat Devyani Khobragade in 2013 after the then United Progressive Alliance government retaliated sharply.

Man 'harassed' by police over 'terror links' kills self in JK

Man 'harassed' by police over 'terror links' kills self in JK

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

Police said that Makhan Din, a nephew of exfiltrated Pak terrorist Swar Din alias Swaru Gujjar, was associated with the group responsible for the July 2024 Badnotta army convoy attack that killed four army jawans.

Trump 2.0: Quad Ministers Meet Today

Trump 2.0: Quad Ministers Meet Today

Rediff.com21 Jan 2025

Dr Jaishankar is expected to discuss the dates for the fifth Quad leaders' summit in India later this year.

Pak blames India for worsening smog in Lahore

Pak blames India for worsening smog in Lahore

Rediff.com4 Nov 2024

Toxic grey smog has sickened tens of thousands of people, mainly children and elderly people, since last month when the air quality started worsening in Lahore, the city bordering India.

Atishi quits as Delhi CM after AAP's crushing defeat

Atishi quits as Delhi CM after AAP's crushing defeat

Rediff.com9 Feb 2025

Atishi, who retained her Kalkaji seat, handed over her resignation to Saxena at Raj Niwas, officials said.

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.

Rest In Peace, Voice Of America

Rest In Peace, Voice Of America

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

What despots and dictators, jammers and competitors, had not managed to do in 83 years -- what the Soviet Union had failed to counter during the Cold War; what China had failed to crush during the Tiananmen Square uprising -- a US President had succeeded with his own hand, notes Krishna Prasad.

Hasina's party members face brunt of violence in Bangladesh

Hasina's party members face brunt of violence in Bangladesh

Rediff.com7 Feb 2025

Protesters in Bangladesh have attacked and torched houses of leaders of Sheikh Hasina's Awami League across the country, while murals of the country's founder Sheikh Mujibur Rahman were demolished and defaced in nearly two dozen districts. The unrest sparked after a live online address of Hasina, who is living in India following a massive student-led protest that toppled her Awami League's 16-year regime. The protesters have also called for scrapping the 1972 Constitution and changing the national anthem.

'India Must Not Support Nepal's Ex-King'

'India Must Not Support Nepal's Ex-King'

Rediff.com17 Apr 2025

'Gyanendra back on the throne would be bad news for the Nepali people. He may not have learnt from his experience, but we have.'

India well placed to tackle Trump's tariff volleys: Blackstone CEO

India well placed to tackle Trump's tariff volleys: Blackstone CEO

Rediff.com13 Mar 2025

India and the US are expected to have smooth trade negotiations after US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a productive meeting during Modi's visit to the White House last month, Stephen A Schwarzman, chairman, chief executive officer, and co-founder of one of the world's largest alternative investment firms, Blackstone Group, said in Mumbai on Wednesday.