News for 'Foreign Relations Committee'

Manipur name row: Meitei group raises bus incident with Centre

Manipur name row: Meitei group raises bus incident with Centre

Rediff.com28 May 2025

A delegation of a Meitei civil society group from Manipur has conveyed its concerns to the Centre over an incident where the state's name written on a bus windshield was covered with white paper. The group, Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), expressed its commitment to peace and its willingness to cooperate in efforts to restore normalcy. They also raised concerns over the growing threats posed by narco-terrorism, cross border illegal immigration, and widespread illegal opium cultivation in the state.

Canadian MP Chandra Arya's leadership bid revoked over India ties

Canadian MP Chandra Arya's leadership bid revoked over India ties

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

Canada's Liberal Party has revoked Indian-origin MP Chandra Arya's bid to run for the party leadership and his nomination in his own Ottawa Nepean constituency over alleged ties to the Indian government. Citing a source with top-secret clearance, the Globe and Mail daily reported that Arya, who visited India last August and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had not informed the government of that trip even though bilateral relations are in a deep freeze. The Liberals have never revealed why they barred the three-term Liberal MP from the party's recent leadership race or from running again in Nepean constituency. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service had briefed the government about Arya's "alleged close ties to the government of India, including its High Commission in Ottawa". Arya has rejected the allegations and believes he was removed because of his stance against the Sikh Khalistani movement in Canada.

Pak nationals flock to Attari-Wagah border to return home

Pak nationals flock to Attari-Wagah border to return home

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

Several Pakistani nationals visiting India started returning home through the Attari-Wagah land route in Amritsar on Thursday, a day after the Centre set a 48-hour deadline for them to leave the country. The decision came after India announced a raft of measures, including the expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960, and the immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post in view of the cross-border links to the horrific terror attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam that killed 26 civilians on Tuesday.

Xi's foreign policy bad for India-China relations

Xi's foreign policy bad for India-China relations

Rediff.com27 Sep 2021

Chinese foreign policy will acquire a more ideological and less pragmatic character. It will be conducted with more nationalist overtones, predicts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

No air defence guns deployed in Golden Temple: Army

No air defence guns deployed in Golden Temple: Army

Rediff.com20 May 2025

The Army Tuesday said no air defence guns or any other air defence resource were deployed within the Golden Temple premises during Operation Sindoor.

How China Supported Pakistan's Attacks

How China Supported Pakistan's Attacks

Rediff.com12 May 2025

China supplied more than $20 billion worth of arms to Pakistan. These include 20 J-10CE and JF-17 Block III fighter aircraft, Wing Loong drones, frigates, submarines, Hongqi HQ-9P surface-to-air missiles, 240 PL-15E air-to-air missiles, LY-80 air defence systems, ZDK early warning aircraft and other weapons.

Who Says India Is Friendless?

Who Says India Is Friendless?

Rediff.com7 Jun 2025

The reality is that far from being friendless, India is better positioned in the world than at any point post-Cold War, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

No US Tariff Cut Commitment: Govt

No US Tariff Cut Commitment: Govt

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

Government representatives told a parliamentary panel that the US has not officially conveyed to India that it should cut tariffs by April 2.

Why Modi's visit to Sri Lanka is important

Why Modi's visit to Sri Lanka is important

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit Sri Lanka, where he will hold talks with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and strengthen ties through agreements on defence, energy security, and digitalisation. This visit aims to further bolster the already strong relationship between the two nations and is expected to include several outcomes, including a defence cooperation agreement, debt restructuring, and a currency swap. This visit comes at a time when Sri Lanka is recovering from an economic crisis, where India played a significant role in providing financial assistance.

Waqf bill to be listed in budget session of Parliament

Waqf bill to be listed in budget session of Parliament

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

The government has also listed three new bills for the session -- 'The Protection of Interests in Aircraft Objects Bill, 'Tribhuvan Sahkari University Bill', and the 'Immigration and Foreigners Bill'.

India Rolls Out Next-Gen Rice Varieties

India Rolls Out Next-Gen Rice Varieties

Rediff.com6 May 2025

The varieties will take at least 4 to 5 years to reach farmers after they complete the usual cycle of breeder, foundation and certified seeds.

191 Pak nationals return home after India sets 48-hour deadline

191 Pak nationals return home after India sets 48-hour deadline

Rediff.com26 Apr 2025

Following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, India has ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave the country within 48 hours. This has led to a mass exodus of Pakistani citizens from India, while several women married to Pakistani nationals and holding Indian passports are facing difficulties returning to their families in Pakistan.

How Sebi plans to ensure greater transparency and ease of doing business

How Sebi plans to ensure greater transparency and ease of doing business

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

Under its new chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has gravitated towards greater transparency and ease of doing business, setting an objective of "effective and optimum" regulation. On Monday, during its first board meeting under Pandey, the regulator has decided to constitute a high-level committee (HLC) to review conflicts of interest and unveiled initiatives to simplify regulatory processes.

Modi reaches Colombo, 10 ambitious outcomes expected

Modi reaches Colombo, 10 ambitious outcomes expected

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Sri Lanka is expected to yield at least 10 ambitious outcomes, including a defense cooperation agreement and frameworks for deeper engagement in the energy sector. The visit comes at a time when Sri Lanka is recovering from an economic crisis, with India providing significant financial assistance. Modi and Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake will also dedicate several projects built with India's assistance and virtually inaugurate the Sampur solar energy project.

US Senate Panel Set To Needle China

US Senate Panel Set To Needle China

Rediff.com21 Jun 2023

A powerful senatorial committee on Wednesday is set to consider a bipartisan resolution to recognise Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India, pushing back against China's military aggression to change the status quo along the Line of Actual Control.

Yunus to stay on as Bangladesh interim chief, says adviser

Yunus to stay on as Bangladesh interim chief, says adviser

Rediff.com24 May 2025

The chief adviser's decision to stay in office came two days after he told student-led National Citizen Party (NCP) leaders that he was mulling resignation as he felt "the situation is such that he cannot work", citing difficulties in working amid the failure of political parties to find common ground for change.

Probe panel quizzes KIIT founder, others in Nepalese student's suicide case

Probe panel quizzes KIIT founder, others in Nepalese student's suicide case

Rediff.com22 Feb 2025

The founder of KIIT, Achyuta Samanta, and other top officials of the private engineering college were questioned by a government committee about the alleged suicide of a Nepalese girl in her hostel and the assault on students of her country. The incident sparked outrage in the Odisha Assembly, with opposition members demanding a judicial inquiry. Samanta was questioned for two hours, along with the institute's Vice-Chancellor, Registrar, Dean, and two suspended women officials. The committee is investigating the circumstances surrounding the student's suicide, the alleged high-handedness of the institute's administration, and the decision to suspend specific students and shut down the institute for them. The Odisha government has assured Nepalese students that it will cover their travel expenses, arrange remedial classes, and reschedule their mid-semester examinations if necessary.

Kerala: The Puzzled Book Of Questions

Kerala: The Puzzled Book Of Questions

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

Can a culture survive as a way of life, even as the language and writing at its core, alter with time? Can we be rational and Malayalee or do we have to necessarily be religious and proudly cultural to be Malayalee? asks Shyam G Menon.

Jaishankar to attend Trump's swearing-in ceremony

Jaishankar to attend Trump's swearing-in ceremony

Rediff.com12 Jan 2025

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will represent India at the inauguration of Donald Trump as the 47th President of the United States on January 20.

RBI cuts rate by 25 bps to 6%; home, auto loans to get cheaper

RBI cuts rate by 25 bps to 6%; home, auto loans to get cheaper

Rediff.com9 Apr 2025

The RBI on Wednesday slashed key interest rate by 25 basis points, for the second time in a row, to support a shuttering economy hit by reciprocal tariffs imposed by the US. Following the rate cut, the key policy rate eased to 6 per cent providing relief to home, auto and corporate loan borrowers.

Pentagon: Investing in defence ties with India to...

Pentagon: Investing in defence ties with India to...

Rediff.com10 Feb 2023

The US is making investments in defence ties with India to uphold a favourable balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, a top Pentagon official told lawmakers Thursday indicating that strengthening ties with New Delhi is one of the key factors to address the pacing challenge from China.

RBI sees 'sequential pickup in economic activity'

RBI sees 'sequential pickup in economic activity'

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

High frequency indicators, like vehicles sales, air traffic, steel consumption and GST E-way bills, point towards a sequential pickup in momentum of economic activity during the second half of the fiscal 2024-25 and sustain moving forward, RBI Bulletin said on Wednesday. However, a strong dollar, driven by US economic resilience and trade policy pivots, could exacerbate capital outflows from emerging economies, push risk premiums higher, and intensify external vulnerabilities, said an article on 'State of the Economy' published in RBI's February bulletin.

US Tariffs May Prompt RBI Rate Cut: Economists

US Tariffs May Prompt RBI Rate Cut: Economists

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

'A repo cut will be very good for the market as it will mean that everything is being done to spur growth in these uncertain times.'

5 held so far for attack on foreign students of Guj University over namaaz

5 held so far for attack on foreign students of Guj University over namaaz

Rediff.com18 Mar 2024

The university has also directed security agencies to deploy ex-Army personnel to strengthen the security of its hostel blocks, the official said.

Biden, Harris lead US in mourning Morbi deaths

Biden, Harris lead US in mourning Morbi deaths

Rediff.com1 Nov 2022

'Today, our hearts are with India. Jill and I send our deepest condolences to the families who lost loved ones during the bridge collapse and join the people of Gujarat in mourning the loss of too many lives cut short,' Biden said.

'US-Pak relationship transactional, not built on goodwill'

'US-Pak relationship transactional, not built on goodwill'

Rediff.com3 Aug 2012

The United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee is divided on the usefulness of continuing US aid to Pakistan, reports Aziz Haniffa.

Amid India's concerns, US to provide F-16 package to Pak

Amid India's concerns, US to provide F-16 package to Pak

Rediff.com19 Oct 2022

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who was on a visit to the US last month, said that America's relationship with Pakistan has "not served" either of the two countries and raised questions on the Biden administration's approval of a USD 450-million sustenance package for the F-16 fleet.

'Trump Won't Hesitate To Use Hard Power'

'Trump Won't Hesitate To Use Hard Power'

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

'The touchstone is reciprocity which will be applied to friends and foes alike.' 'It will be a bitter pill to swallow.'

Time To Establish Diplomatic Relations With Taliban

Time To Establish Diplomatic Relations With Taliban

Rediff.com25 Jan 2024

The Taliban government in Afghanistan is not going anywhere. That being the case, why is the hesitation to establish formal diplomatic relations with the Taliban? asks Lieutenant General Prakash Katoch (Retd).

Are Baloch rebels out of Pakistan's control now?

Are Baloch rebels out of Pakistan's control now?

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

The Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) has undergone a significant transformation, evolving from hit-and-run attacks to carrying out sophisticated operations with tactical precision. The group's tactics and targets have become increasingly audacious, targeting security forces, Chinese nationals, and innocent civilians. Experts attribute the BLA's evolution to various factors, including the leadership of Bashir Zeb, the group's growing intelligence network, and its exploitation of the grievances of the Baloch people. The BLA's actions are a cause for concern, as the group's sophisticated attacks pose a major challenge to security forces.

Gaurav Gogoi's British wife has ISI links, claims BJP; Cong hits back

Gaurav Gogoi's British wife has ISI links, claims BJP; Cong hits back

Rediff.com13 Feb 2025

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has accused Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi of raising questions on sensitive defence matters in Parliament after his marriage to a British citizen. Sarma alleged that Gogoi's wife, Elizabeth Colburn, has links with the Pakistani establishment, including working for an organisation allegedly a front for the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Gogoi has rejected the allegations as "baseless" and said the BJP is trying to divert attention from its own failures.

Journalist mistakenly added to Trump's Yemen war plans group

Journalist mistakenly added to Trump's Yemen war plans group

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

Security experts have warned that using Signal for discussions of this nature violates every established protocol for handling classified information.

How Many Indian Students Overstayed in US?

How Many Indian Students Overstayed in US?

Rediff.com30 Jan 2025

'Brazil, China, Colombia and India each had more than 2,000 of their citizens overstaying student/exchange visas, with India having the highest number (7,000).'

Nikki Haley confirmed as new US envoy to UN

Nikki Haley confirmed as new US envoy to UN

Rediff.com25 Jan 2017

Nikki Haley becomes the first Indian-American to serve on a Cabinet rank position in any presidential administration in the US.

'Without US, Saudis, UAE in loop, there will be no retaliation'

'Without US, Saudis, UAE in loop, there will be no retaliation'

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

'If Pakistan's army wants to escalate violence in Kashmir, they have an unlimited supply of jihadis they can train and send. That's not an issue for them.'

Top 500 ranking, no online class: Rules for foreign universities in India

Top 500 ranking, no online class: Rules for foreign universities in India

Rediff.com8 Nov 2023

The guidelines have been prepared in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 that has envisioned that top universities in the world will be facilitated to operate in India.

Traditional ties with US are over: Canadian PM's big remark

Traditional ties with US are over: Canadian PM's big remark

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

In a dramatic shift in Canada's foreign policy, Prime Minister Mark Carney on Thursday declared that the long-standing economic and security relationship between Canada and the United States has ended, responding to US President Donald Trump's announcement of new auto tariffs that could severely impact Canada's economy, Politico reported.

'Pakistan Seen As A State Devoid Of Hope'

'Pakistan Seen As A State Devoid Of Hope'

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

'No military offensive by Pakistan will end the insurgency in Balochistan without simultaneous, concerted efforts toward political dialogue to de-escalate tensions.'

Is This Lady Behind Missing Chinese Foreign Minister?

Is This Lady Behind Missing Chinese Foreign Minister?

Rediff.com18 Jul 2023

China's Foreign Minister Qin Gang has not been seen in public since June 25. Is he unwell, or has he been purged?

MPs need govt nod for accepting foreign hospitality: RS fresh guidelines

MPs need govt nod for accepting foreign hospitality: RS fresh guidelines

Rediff.com30 Nov 2023

e of them requires MPs to follow the norms including the Code of Ethics, which mandates them not to take gifts that may interfere with honest and impartial discharge of their official duties.