News for 'Foreign Press Centre'

Hong Kong protests: A tech-driven cat-and-mouse battle

Hong Kong protests: A tech-driven cat-and-mouse battle

Rediff.com19 Aug 2019

Both protesters and the authorities in Hong Kong are using complex combinations of technology, reports Devangshu Datta.

Balancing the budget -- the Jaitley way

Balancing the budget -- the Jaitley way

Rediff.com28 Feb 2015

All credit to the finance minister for walking the fiscal and expectation tightrope extremely well in his budget speech, says Ganesh Natarajan.

Kerala rain fury claims 97 lives, PM to visit flood-hit areas

Kerala rain fury claims 97 lives, PM to visit flood-hit areas

Rediff.com17 Aug 2018

The situation in the state was 'extremely grave', said Vijayan, who spoke to Prime Minister, Narendra Modi and Home minister, Rajnath Singh, this morning seeking more central assistance for relief operations.

Lapsed tenders hurt Modi's 'Make in India' defence industry push

Lapsed tenders hurt Modi's 'Make in India' defence industry push

Rediff.com8 Apr 2015

Irked by India's status as the world's biggest arms importer, Modi wants to build an advanced defence industry

GST delay may not impact markets

GST delay may not impact markets

Rediff.com13 Dec 2016

Although the markets could see a knee-jerk reaction, they rule out a sharp fall.

Column: Is Pakistan blackmailing PM, NSA?

Column: Is Pakistan blackmailing PM, NSA?

Rediff.com11 Apr 2019

'Imran Khan would only have spoken with the full awareness of Modi's complex political personality.' 'He has the great advantage of being privy to the confidential exchanges between then Pakistan prime minister Nawaz Sharif and Modi during the latter's celebrated surprise visit to Lahore in December 2015 as well as the 'back channel' conversations between the national security advisors of the two countries,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

What China will do next in the South China Sea

What China will do next in the South China Sea

Rediff.com14 Jul 2016

'After a strategic pause though, Beijing will revive its policy of slowly creeping towards acquiring sovereignty over the South China Sea.'

Why Flipkart and Snapdeal may still not list in India

Why Flipkart and Snapdeal may still not list in India

Rediff.com26 Jun 2015

Most e-commerce firms with 'Singapore holding structures' would opt out of the new Sebi platform

Why India Inc sees Modi's PMO as the 'mover'

Why India Inc sees Modi's PMO as the 'mover'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2017

Corporates understand that the PMO drives all key decisions in this government.

'It's Modi vs people of India'

'It's Modi vs people of India'

Rediff.com10 Jul 2018

'The BJP is saying we have Modi, who have you got?' 'We have the people of India on our side.'

'Sushma helped Lalit Modi to return favours her family received'

'Sushma helped Lalit Modi to return favours her family received'

Rediff.com15 Jun 2015

The Congress on Monday stepped attacked on External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj alleging there was "quid pro quo" involved in her "assistance" to Lalit Modi in obtaining British travel documents and demanded that the scam-tainted former Indian Premier League commissioner be brought back and tried in India.

Will terror attack mar Iran-Pakistan ties?

Will terror attack mar Iran-Pakistan ties?

Rediff.com28 Apr 2017

'A Russia-Iran-China-Pakistan geopolitical grouping is evolving at this point of time.' 'Given that the grouping is in its nascent stages, will this week's terrorist attack in Mirjaveh affect it?' asks Aveek Sen.

When can we expect a 2nd Trump-Kim summit?

When can we expect a 2nd Trump-Kim summit?

Rediff.com18 Jan 2019

'Xi Jinping is keen that the second Trump-Kim summit happens soonest.' 'Kim is reported to have told Xi that he expects to achieve a result from a second summit that the international community would welcome,' points out Dr Rajaram Panda.

Tax collections to fall short of target

Tax collections to fall short of target

Rediff.com6 Oct 2015

FY16 GDP growth was seen at 7.5%, against 8.1-8.5% earlier.

Modi played his cards well in Washington

Modi played his cards well in Washington

Rediff.com30 Jun 2017

'This is the first time that the Americans have agreed to refer to "cross-border terrorist attacks" in a joint statement.' 'No wonder Pakistan has called the joint statement "singularly unhelpful" and has blasted it, and its all-weather friend China has applauded Pakistan's frontline role in combating terrorism,' points out former foreign secretary Ambassador Kanwal Sibal.

If I was spreading terror, I would have made a few lakh terrorists by now: Naik

If I was spreading terror, I would have made a few lakh terrorists by now: Naik

Rediff.com27 Nov 2016

Controversial Islamic preacher Zakir Naik on Sunday claimed that there has been no misuse of funds by his banned NGO and rejected all allegations of involvement in terror-related activities.

President Pranab Mukherjee hosts dinner to mark 3 years in office

President Pranab Mukherjee hosts dinner to mark 3 years in office

Rediff.com25 Jul 2015

Parliamentarians, who have been slugging it out for past the few days in Lok Sabha over several issues, were seen mixing freely at a dinner hosted by President Pranab Mukherjee on Saturday night to commemorate three years of his presidency.

Why India must be wary of the Chinese dragon

Why India must be wary of the Chinese dragon

Rediff.com18 Feb 2016

There are signs of China's external behaviour becoming more aggressive in the coming years. If that happens, strategic implications for neighbours having territorial disputes with China can become deeper and imperatives can rise for the former to counteract, says D S Rajan

Why China's objections to Modi's Arunachal visit were muted

Why China's objections to Modi's Arunachal visit were muted

Rediff.com24 Feb 2015

Though the Chinese find it necessary to oppose the visits of Indian leaders to Arunachal Pradesh, they want to keep the objections at a moderate level lest it cast a shadow on Narendra Modi's visit to China in May, says D S Rajan.

'Kohinoor, a symbol of British loot'

'Kohinoor, a symbol of British loot'

Rediff.com22 Apr 2016

Though it would be wonderful for Indians to have the Kohinoor and Peacock Throne displayed in all its glory at the Red Fort, it seems unlikely that the British will part with the Kohinoor in a hurry.

Sonia didn't act like an empress

Sonia didn't act like an empress

Rediff.com23 Dec 2017

'Although the Congress party ethos resembles a court with courtiers, Sonia Gandhi's style was to be consensual.'

Indira Gandhi: Goddess and her terror turn

Indira Gandhi: Goddess and her terror turn

Rediff.com23 Jun 2015

Forty years after the declaration of Emergency by Indira Gandhi, the Sunanda K Datta-Ray recalls life when civil rights were suspended and press censorship was in force

Will PM travel to Lanka for CHOGM? DMK warns of consequences

Will PM travel to Lanka for CHOGM? DMK warns of consequences

Rediff.com31 Oct 2013

No decision has been taken so far on whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will attend the of Commonwealth Heads of Government meet in Sri Lanka on November 15-16, the external affairs ministry said on Thursday, asserting it will be taken after considering all aspects including "national interest" and "international obligations".

Rashtrapati Bhavan guest house to open after 19 years

Rashtrapati Bhavan guest house to open after 19 years

Rediff.com5 Jan 2014

The Rashtrapati Bhavan will showcase India's hospitality at its very best when the doors of its gleaming new guest wing are thrown open on Monday for foreign dignitaries after it remained unused for over two decades.

Stone attack on Rahul Gandhi derails Lok Sabha

Stone attack on Rahul Gandhi derails Lok Sabha

Rediff.com8 Aug 2017

The HM said that Rahul went on foreign tours and informed the SPG at the eleventh hour, creating problems for it to provide proper security.

Let Gandhi enter your heart

Let Gandhi enter your heart

Rediff.com7 Feb 2019

'Gandhi turned his life into a counter-intuitive experiment in old ideas like non-violence and swadeshi.' 'He offered numerous universal ideas that talk to the human condition.' 'His ability to take risks was outstanding,' says Sopan Joshi, explaining why the Mahatma's ideas are as relevant as ever.

In Gujarat cadre PM Modi trusts

In Gujarat cadre PM Modi trusts

Rediff.com8 Aug 2014

At least a dozen officers from Gujarat are handling key assignments in various important central positions

Preet Bharara wants legal immunity for Modi in US

Preet Bharara wants legal immunity for Modi in US

Rediff.com20 Oct 2014

The office of the US Attorney for the Southern District of New York Preet Bharara on Sunday, October 19, in papers filed with the US District Court in Manhattan strongly argued in favour of immunity for Prime Mimister Narendra Modi in a pending lawsuit against Modi that has been brought by an organisation based in the United States.

7-magnitude quake kills 19 in China, injures over 250

7-magnitude quake kills 19 in China, injures over 250

Rediff.com9 Aug 2017

The massive earthquake in Sichuan struck at 9:19 pm (local time) on Tuesday and the epicentre was monitored at a depth of 20 km, state-run Xinhua new agency reported.

Dalai Lama snub and India's plans to reset China ties

Dalai Lama snub and India's plans to reset China ties

Rediff.com8 Mar 2018

'If, as appears to be the case, India is on way to 'mending fences' with China, and China is equally desirous to 'reset' the relationship, this could be a self-reflexive moment in India's positioning vis-a-vis not just the Dalai Lama, but also the Tibetan issue and China as a whole,' points out China expert Alka Acharya.

Artificial Intelligence: Where India stands

Artificial Intelligence: Where India stands

Rediff.com15 Jun 2018

A culture of science and innovation must be embedded in society wherein people not only use new technology but understand it as well. Without this, obscurantism and blind faith can sit side by side with digital technology and, in fact, use the same technology to reinforce their hold on people, says Shram Saran.

What was Vajpayee like as prime minister?

What was Vajpayee like as prime minister?

Rediff.com24 Aug 2018

Former RA&W chief A S Dulat, who served as Atalji's adviser on Kashmir, gives us an insider's glimpse of a prime minister he has hailed as the 'greatest after Nehru'.

Hardliners will dominate China's Tibet policy

Hardliners will dominate China's Tibet policy

Rediff.com1 Nov 2017

Statements emanating from the recent Chinese Communist party congress suggest potentially increasing pressure on India with regard to the Dalai Lama and the Central Tibetan Administration in Dharamsala, notes former RAW officer Jayadeva Ranade.

Can Modi Make it in India?

Can Modi Make it in India?

Rediff.com23 Feb 2015

'It appears that Prime Minister Modi has to undo 50 years of State monopoly in the defence sector during which public undertakings like HAL or DRDO monopolised defence production and development with disastrous consequences.'

'Jaitley is lying about labour reforms'

'Jaitley is lying about labour reforms'

Rediff.com31 Aug 2016

'You cannot treat workers like beggars.'

Why BJP's landslide victory in UP will not spur reforms

Why BJP's landslide victory in UP will not spur reforms

Rediff.com23 Mar 2017

If the Modi government's approach to economic policy making is any indication, expectations of a sudden spurt in economic reforms after the assembly election results appear to be grossly misplaced.

How Xi plans China's world domination

How Xi plans China's world domination

Rediff.com23 Oct 2017

'Clarifying that modernisation of national defence and armed forces should be completed by 2035, Xi Jinping asserted the goal is to make the People's Liberation Army a "world class force" that "can fight and win" by 2050,' points out former RAW officer Jayadeva Ranade.

The implications of President Park's state visit to India

The implications of President Park's state visit to India

Rediff.com20 Jan 2014

South Korean President Park Geun-hye's visit to India will enhance economic and military ties between the two countries and give the relationship a strategic dimension, says Jiye Kim.

Pro-business or aam aadmi: Modi government's tough balancing act

Pro-business or aam aadmi: Modi government's tough balancing act

Rediff.com26 May 2016

Indeed, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who as Gujarat chief minister was considered close to certain business groups and industrialists, has hardly been seen with any Indian business head.

Obama, Castro hail 'new day' for US-Cuba relations

Obama, Castro hail 'new day' for US-Cuba relations

Rediff.com22 Mar 2016

Barack Obama and Raul Castro vowed to set aside their differences in pursuit of what the US president called a "new day" for the relationship between the neighbours.