News for 'Foreign Office'

US tariffs threaten to derail India's affordable housing market recovery

US tariffs threaten to derail India's affordable housing market recovery

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

The US's recent 50 per cent tariff on Indian exports will have a trickledown effect on India's affordable housing, potentially derailing demand as well as supply in this segment, according to experts. Pointing to worker incomes and jobs in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) that typically make up majority of the customer base of affordable housing, would take a hit in the near terms due to the tariff change, further crippling India's affordable housing sector, already reeling from the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Those who speak English will soon feel ashamed: Shah

Those who speak English will soon feel ashamed: Shah

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

'When our country was consumed in an era of pitch black darkness, even then literature kept the lamps of our religion, freedom, and culture lit'

Why The National Awards Feel Different Now

Why The National Awards Feel Different Now

Rediff.com8 Aug 2025

When you declare 12th Fail as the Best Film and Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani as the Wholesome Entertainer of the year, you have somehow narrowed the range of the awards, suggesting, in effect, that the entire spectrum of possibility in Indian cinema extends from the Filmfare Awards winner for the Best Film to the Filmfare Awards winner for the Best Film (Critics), points out Sreehari Nair.

How Modi Changed Indian Politics

How Modi Changed Indian Politics

Rediff.com17 Sep 2025

In the last 11 years, India and the world witnessed what he stood for, what he promised and did not deliver, and what he actually stood for and practised without fearing how history would judge him. Modi's tenure has been punctuated with headline-grabbing decisions, symbolic gestures, and stage-managed moments that continue to define his leadership and India's politics, points out Ramesh Menon.

He is an Indian: Wife fights for return of man deported to Bangladesh

He is an Indian: Wife fights for return of man deported to Bangladesh

Rediff.com30 May 2025

Islam was among nine persons arrested by Morigaon police on May 24 in a crackdown on illegal immigrants declared by the Foreigners' Tribunal, but who had been evading deportation.

Oppn raises Pahalgam, Trump's remarks, Bihar SIR in session eve meet

Oppn raises Pahalgam, Trump's remarks, Bihar SIR in session eve meet

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

At the customary meeting ahead of the session beginning Monday, the opposition raised various issues, including voter roll revision in Bihar, the Pahalgam terror attack and Trump's 'ceasefire' claims.

Trump claims 5 jets shot down during India-Pak conflict, gives no details

Trump claims 5 jets shot down during India-Pak conflict, gives no details

Rediff.com19 Jul 2025

US President Donald Trump claimed that "five jets were shot down" during the conflict between India and Pakistan in May and repeated his assertion that the fighting ended following his intervention. India has maintained that the two sides halted their military actions following direct talks between their militaries without any mediation by the US.

'Munir's US Visits: Something Else Is Afoot'

'Munir's US Visits: Something Else Is Afoot'

Rediff.com20 Aug 2025

'Trump has personally weighed in to overcome doubts and reservations about Pakistan among his top advisors.'

What You Must Know About The CEC

What You Must Know About The CEC

Rediff.com4 Aug 2025

As an IAS officer in Kerala, Gyanesh Kumar -- who the Congress described as Amit Shah's 'right hand man' -- had a good working equation with the state's Congress and Left leaders.

Filing ITR? Avoid These Errors

Filing ITR? Avoid These Errors

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

Errors in filing income-tax returns frequently lead to scrutiny notices, additional liabilities, or delayed refunds.

ISL in limbo: AIFF chief blames 'vested interests'

ISL in limbo: AIFF chief blames 'vested interests'

Rediff.com10 Aug 2025

AIFF president Kalyan Chaubey admitted that club football 'is going through crisis' due to the uncertainty over the future of the country's top-tier league ISL and said a collective effort is needed to tide over it.

DGCA orders inspection of Boeing 787, 737 fuel switch system

DGCA orders inspection of Boeing 787, 737 fuel switch system

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

The DGCA has asked airlines to inspect the fuel switch locking system in their Boeing 787 and 737 planes after a preliminary probe report into the Air India crash found that the switches were cut off before the accident.

Pandering To Trump Means Serial Humiliation

Pandering To Trump Means Serial Humiliation

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

'No respite from economic pain is worth the loss of dignity and self-respect,' asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Trump@6 Months: Resetting The Global Order

Trump@6 Months: Resetting The Global Order

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

In the short run, the Trump presidency has already ensured one thing: The assumptions of the past can no longer guide the strategies of the future, points out Manish Dabhade.

June 22 GST Council meet may give relief to foreign airlines

June 22 GST Council meet may give relief to foreign airlines

Rediff.com21 Jun 2024

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council, scheduled to meet on June 22, could take a call on ending uncertainty on taxing foreign airlines and shippers as regards certain services, a senior official in the know told Business Standard. He said the Council was expected to decide on exempting the services in question from GST - aircraft lease rentals, maintenance, crew salaries, etc. These services are provided by foreign airlines to their Indian operations.

US, UK call for calm amid heightened India-Pak tensions

US, UK call for calm amid heightened India-Pak tensions

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the US has called on both countries "not to escalate" the conflict. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to speak with the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India as early as today or tomorrow. The US State Department said Washington is reaching out to both India and Pakistan "regarding the Kashmir situation" and telling them "not to escalate the situation."

Savings on stamp duty draw HFTs to GIFT City

Savings on stamp duty draw HFTs to GIFT City

Rediff.com12 Jun 2025

Although most high-frequency traders (HFTs) prefer to set up shop close to stock exchanges to enjoy better latency, a few are willing to sacrifice proximity to save a few bucks. Two HFTs have already established their offices at the GIFT City (Gujarat International Finance Tec-City) IFSC while many more are likely to follow suit.

India dismisses Pak allegation of complicity in train hijack

India dismisses Pak allegation of complicity in train hijack

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

India has strongly rejected Pakistan's allegations of backing terrorism against that country following the Balochistan train attack. India said Islamabad should look inwards before shifting the blame on others for its "failures " and that the whole world knows "where the epicentre of global terrorism lies ". Pakistan, on the other hand, has accused India of "sponsoring terrorism " without directly implicating it in the Balochistan train attack that killed 21 passengers.

BSF gets body cams, biometric tools to tackle infiltration from Bangladesh

BSF gets body cams, biometric tools to tackle infiltration from Bangladesh

Rediff.com27 Jul 2025

The two policy decisions to bolster BSF capabilities at this front have been taken in the wake of the stepped up security arrangements along the border following the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh on August 5, 2024.

Protests against new law in Dhaka, secretariat locked down

Protests against new law in Dhaka, secretariat locked down

Rediff.com26 May 2025

Government employees in Bangladesh locked down the main gate of the Bangladesh Secretariat in Dhaka, protesting a new service law that allows for easier dismissal of officials for misconduct. The protest, which lasted for about half an hour, disrupted government operations. The employees also threatened to continue their protests until the ordinance was scrapped. Meanwhile, the protest by employees of the Dhaka South City Corporation, demanding the installation of BNP leader Ishraque Hossain as its mayor, has brought administrative services to a halt. These protests, coupled with concerns raised by the business community and the military, highlight a growing sense of unease in Bangladesh over the policies of the interim government.

'We don't want them': Trump bars entry to US from 12 countries

'We don't want them': Trump bars entry to US from 12 countries

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

Trump has partially restricted and limited the entry of nationals from the seven nations: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

'Militants, Fundamentalists Are Running The Show In Bangladesh'

'Militants, Fundamentalists Are Running The Show In Bangladesh'

Rediff.com6 Aug 2025

'Militants are taking over the administration. Fundamentalists have been released from jail.'

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.

Parliament to debate Pahalgam, Op Sindoor; no word on PM's reply

Parliament to debate Pahalgam, Op Sindoor; no word on PM's reply

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

Parliament is expected to discuss the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor next week, with both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha planning debates.

When SC praised Col Sofia Qureshi who held Op Sindoor briefing

When SC praised Col Sofia Qureshi who held Op Sindoor briefing

Rediff.com8 May 2025

The top court also referred to the distinctions achieved by women officers, and put out an example of Col Qureshi's achievements.

At least 26 killed in Indian missile strikes, admits Pakistan

At least 26 killed in Indian missile strikes, admits Pakistan

Rediff.com7 May 2025

Army spokesman Lt Gen Ahmad Sharif Chaudhry in a media interaction said at least 26 people were killed and 46 injured in the missile strikes on cities in Punjab and PoK. "The six locations that India attacked last night... Pakistan lost 26 people and 46 were injured," he said.

'Sensex Is Barometer Of Economy And Capital Markets'

'Sensex Is Barometer Of Economy And Capital Markets'

Rediff.com18 Jul 2025

'BSE has facilitated nearly Rs 35 trillion in capital raising across multiple segments.'

Cong distances itself from Tharoor's article lauding Modi

Cong distances itself from Tharoor's article lauding Modi

Rediff.com25 Jun 2025

The Congress on Tuesday distanced itself from party MP Shashi Tharoor's remarks in an article in which he stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's energy, dynamism and willingness to engage remained a 'prime asset' for India on the global stage.

CBI repatriation rate doubles, brings back 134 over 5 years

CBI repatriation rate doubles, brings back 134 over 5 years

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

The CBI has significantly increased the rate of fugitive repatriation, bringing back 134 individuals in the last five years, doubling the number from the previous decade. This success is attributed to enhanced diplomatic efforts, technological advancements, and improved coordination with Interpol.

SEE: Suvendu Adhikari's convoy attacked in Cooch Behar

SEE: Suvendu Adhikari's convoy attacked in Cooch Behar

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

The convoy of West Bengal's Leader of Opposition, Suvendu Adhikari, was allegedly attacked by TMC workers during a protest in Cooch Behar. Bulletproof glasses of Adhikari's vehicle were smashed. TMC denies involvement, calling it a 'well-scripted drama'.

Anil Ambani appears before ED in bank loan 'fraud' case

Anil Ambani appears before ED in bank loan 'fraud' case

Rediff.com5 Aug 2025

Reliance Group Chairman Anil Ambani on Tuesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate here for questioning in a money laundering case linked to alleged multiple bank loan fraud cases worth crores of rupees against his group companies, official sources said.

Each Of These Pictures Tell A Story

Each Of These Pictures Tell A Story

Rediff.com17 Jul 2025

Glimpses from around the world that will make you smile and cry.

US sanctions Indian companies over Iran oil trade

US sanctions Indian companies over Iran oil trade

Rediff.com31 Jul 2025

The United States has imposed sanctions on at least half a dozen Indian companies accused of trading in Iranian petroleum and petrochemicals as part of broader action targeting 20 entities worldwide.

'My opponent is quintessential RSS man, I am far away from it'

'My opponent is quintessential RSS man, I am far away from it'

Rediff.com23 Aug 2025

'Earlier, we used to talk about a deficit economy. There is a deficit in democracy' 'If you read superficially Gandhi and Ambedkar and Nehru, some misconceptions and misunderstanding come to mind, as if they were at loggerheads and they differed radically in their views' 'India is one nation. There is only one citizenship. No citizenship for South India and no citizenship for North India and another for the Northeast'

Foreign footballer abused, beaten up in Kerala

Foreign footballer abused, beaten up in Kerala

Rediff.com13 Mar 2024

A football player from the Ivory Coast was beaten up by a mob of spectators and was also allegedly racially abused a few days ago during a soccer match between local clubs.

'Not sign of...': Tharoor explains article praising Modi

'Not sign of...': Tharoor explains article praising Modi

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

Senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor on Tuesday said his article on Operation Sindoor's global outreach was not a sign of his 'leaping to join' Prime Minister Narendra Modi's party but a statement of national unity, interest and standing up for India.

UP plans high-tech defence shield against nuke, chemical attacks

UP plans high-tech defence shield against nuke, chemical attacks

Rediff.com8 Jun 2025

Drawing lessons from security protocols of Parliament, the state is working closely with agencies like the Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Electronics Corporation of India Ltd to design a multi-layered safety mechanism.

Amid border row, China expert takes over as new foreign secretary

Amid border row, China expert takes over as new foreign secretary

Rediff.com15 Jul 2024

The 59-year-old Vikram Misri assumed charge of the key position at a time India is looking to navigate various geo-political challenges, including its frosty ties with China following the lingering eastern Ladakh border row and the consequences of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Why Is The US So Fond Of Asim Munir?

Why Is The US So Fond Of Asim Munir?

Rediff.com12 Aug 2025

Sections in the US State Department and Pentagon have always felt more comfortable dealing with all powerful Pakistani generals instead of elected civilians, points out Rana Banerji, who headed the Pakistan desk at RA&W.

Trump Is Winning Tariff War Hands Down

Trump Is Winning Tariff War Hands Down

Rediff.com18 Aug 2025

Donald Trump's tariffs, meant as political punishment, have avoided the predicted chaos, lifting US growth, weakening rivals, and letting him claim victory in a resilient global economy, observes T T Ram Mohan.