News for 'Foreign Office'

It'll be a mistake if Sharif skips Modi's swearing-in: Pak foreign office

It'll be a mistake if Sharif skips Modi's swearing-in: Pak foreign office

Rediff.com23 May 2014

Pakistan's Foreign Office has recommended Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif to accept India's invitation to attend the swearing-in ceremony of Narendra Modi on May 26 in New Delhi, saying it will be a 'mistake' to let this opportunity go.

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.

Sri Lanka: Paradiso For Travellers

Sri Lanka: Paradiso For Travellers

Rediff.com25 Nov 2025

Sri Lanka stays with you not just in memory, but gently reminds you what a society can achieve when heart and heritage guide the way.

Foreigners can't leave India during criminal cases: SC

Foreigners can't leave India during criminal cases: SC

Rediff.com7 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India has ruled that foreign nationals facing criminal charges cannot be allowed to leave the country. The court emphasized the need to ensure the presence of foreigners during criminal proceedings and outlined procedures for enforcing this restriction. The ruling clarifies legal provisions related to foreigners' movements in India, particularly during bail applications.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi comes from a family of military officers

Colonel Sofiya Qureshi comes from a family of military officers

Rediff.com7 May 2025

Being a 'fauji' kid, Sofiya Qureshi grew up listening to tales of valour and sacrifice of the army shared by her grandfather, who was a soldier.

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.

'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.

Foreign secretary raises safety of minorities in Bangladesh

Foreign secretary raises safety of minorities in Bangladesh

Rediff.com9 Dec 2024

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka on Monday on a day-long visit to hold talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart, amid strained bilateral ties since August following the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

Voter list 'purified', Bihar elections before...: CEC

Voter list 'purified', Bihar elections before...: CEC

Rediff.com5 Oct 2025

Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar expressed satisfaction over the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, stating that the exercise has 'purified' the voters' list after 22 years. He made the announcement during a press conference in Patna.

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.

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.'

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.

Jaishankar, Rubio to meet in US amid tariff, H-1B visa concerns

Jaishankar, Rubio to meet in US amid tariff, H-1B visa concerns

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

This will be the first face-to-face meeting between Rubio and Jaishankar following President Donald Trump's imposition of an additional 25 per cent tariff on India for Delhi's purchases of Russian oil, taking the total levies imposed on India by the Trump White House to 50 per cent.

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.

'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.'

Jaishankar, Rubio discuss issues of 'current concern'

Jaishankar, Rubio discuss issues of 'current concern'

Rediff.com22 Sep 2025

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday met United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio for bilateral discussions, as the high-level 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) kicks in.

Adityanath an 'infiltrator', send him back to Uttarakhand: Akhilesh

Adityanath an 'infiltrator', send him back to Uttarakhand: Akhilesh

Rediff.com12 Oct 2025

Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav likened Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to an infiltrator, saying he is from Uttarakhand and should be sent back to the state. Yadav also criticized the BJP's governance and alleged injustices against Dalits and backward communities.

Zubeen Garg's DSP cousin arrested, suspended

Zubeen Garg's DSP cousin arrested, suspended

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

Zubeen Garg's cousin and Assam Police DSP Sandipan Garg was apprehended on Wednesday in connection with the singer's death in Singapore last month, taking the total number of arrests in the case to five, a senior officer said.

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."

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.

Ceasefire with India holding, fully committed to it: Pakistan

Ceasefire with India holding, fully committed to it: Pakistan

Rediff.com24 May 2025

Pakistan's Foreign Office spokesperson Shafqat Ali Khan said on Friday that the ceasefire with India was holding and the country is committed to it. He also said that Pakistan is committed to making the ceasefire hold and de-escalation succeed, and then engagement to lead to stability and resolution of issues. Khan said that the two militaries have a channel of communication through the Directors General of Military Operations, through which they are working for de-escalation, in terms of the movement of troops. He added that Pakistan remains committed to the ceasefire announced on May 10 and lately, both sides have taken steps for de-escalation and return of stability.

ED grills BJP worker who filed case over Rahul's citizenship

ED grills BJP worker who filed case over Rahul's citizenship

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

The Enforcement Directorate has summoned a Karnataka BJP worker who had petitioned the Allahabad High Court claiming that Congress leader Rahul Gandhi is a British citizen. The probe is related to alleged violations of the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).

US, Arab world step in to defuse India-Pak tensions

US, Arab world step in to defuse India-Pak tensions

Rediff.com1 May 2025

United States Charge d'Affaires Natalie Baker on Wednesday met Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar as part of efforts to de-escalate tensions with India following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22 in which 26 people were killed.

'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.'

Pak envoy denied entry to US, deported despite valid visa

Pak envoy denied entry to US, deported despite valid visa

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

Pakistan's ambassador to Turkmenistan, K K Wagan, was deported from the United States after being denied entry at Los Angeles airport. The incident has sparked concerns about diplomatic protocol and the nature of the US authorities' decision. Wagan, who holds a valid US visa, was forced to return to his last port of departure. The Foreign Office confirmed the envoy had gone to the US on a private visit and is investigating the matter. It remains unclear what specific concerns triggered the deportation, but sources suggest the US immigration system flagged Wagan over controversial visa references. The incident has been communicated to Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar and Foreign Secretary Aamna Baloch, and the Foreign Ministry has directed its Consulate in Los Angeles to investigate.

Classify Strategic Data As 'National Asset'

Classify Strategic Data As 'National Asset'

Rediff.com29 Aug 2025

...on par with oil, power, and defence, and to restrict its storage under foreign control.

Pakistan summons Indian envoy, protests military strike

Pakistan summons Indian envoy, protests military strike

Rediff.com7 May 2025

Pakistan on Wednesday summoned the Indian charg d'affaires and lodged a strong protest against the Indian military strikes.

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.

Flexible office space growth set to trigger IPO wave

Flexible office space growth set to trigger IPO wave

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

India's flexible (flex) office segment, having breached pre-pandemic levels, is thriving as corporates, startups, multinational corporations, and global capability centres (GCCs) expand in India, seeking low-capital yet Grade A plug-and-play facilities. In the first quarter (Q1) of 2025, the flex office segment continued to grow, with flex space leasing rising by 22 per cent to 2.2 million square feet (msf), according to Colliers.

Not even...: Taliban on Trump's Bagram air base demand

Not even...: Taliban on Trump's Bagram air base demand

Rediff.com21 Sep 2025

The statement, made during a special interview with Tolo News, came days after the US President said that Washington was trying to regain control of the base, which is currently under the control of the Taliban government after the US and its allied troops withdrew from the country in 2021.

Trump to sign executive orders before meeting Pak PM today

Trump to sign executive orders before meeting Pak PM today

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

United States President Donald Trump is set to engage in high-stakes bilateral meetings on Thursday, including a closed-door session with Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the Oval Office, according to Trump's public schedule released by the White House.

'Friend' Modi Assured Me...: Trump Claims India Will Stop Buying Russian Oil

'Friend' Modi Assured Me...: Trump Claims India Will Stop Buying Russian Oil

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had assured him that India would stop purchasing oil from Russia, describing it as "a big step" in efforts to increase global pressure on Moscow.

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.

Multi-asset allocation funds outshine equity schemes over 3-year period

Multi-asset allocation funds outshine equity schemes over 3-year period

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

Multi-asset allocation funds (MAAFs) have emerged as strong performers among mutual funds (MFs), rivalling medium-term returns from traditional equity categories while maintaining a lower risk profile. Over the past three years, average returns for this segment have surpassed those of flexicap and largecap funds, for both lump sum and systematic investment plan (SIP) investments.

Trump's 5% Rule: How Will It Affect Indian Students?

Trump's 5% Rule: How Will It Affect Indian Students?

Rediff.com14 Oct 2025

Trump's proposed policy limits undergraduates from any one country to 5% at select top US universities, raising concerns for Indian aspirants eyeing elite colleges.