News for 'Foreign Service'

'Oil Is Not The Problem. The Bigger Problem Is Gold'

'Oil Is Not The Problem. The Bigger Problem Is Gold'

Rediff.com18 May 2026

'Every year we import approximately $70 billion worth of gold -- closer to $72 billion in 2025-2026, an all-time record.' 'There is no parallel for this anywhere in the world. And this love for gold will not disappear overnight.'

Indian Equities Close Lower as Geopolitical Tensions, FII Outflows Weigh

Indian Equities Close Lower as Geopolitical Tensions, FII Outflows Weigh

Rediff.com7 May 2026

Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, ended lower in choppy trade, with the Sensex declining 114 points, as investors reacted to unabated foreign fund outflows and rising geopolitical uncertainties.

US makes U-turn on 'return to home country' order for green cards

US makes U-turn on 'return to home country' order for green cards

Rediff.com30 May 2026

The US Department of Homeland Security has clarified that not all immigrants seeking green cards will be required to return to their home country to make such applications, partially walking back a previous announcement.

Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier Vs Real Aircraft Carrier

Unsinkable Aircraft Carrier Vs Real Aircraft Carrier

Rediff.com19 Jun 2026

While the Andaman and Nicobar islands serve as a vital, stationary asset for projecting power in the Indian Ocean, referring to them as an unsinkable aircraft carrier ignores key military and geopolitical limitations, explains Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Dubai Based Man Masterminded Betting Fraud: ED

Dubai Based Man Masterminded Betting Fraud: ED

Rediff.com16 May 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has identified a Grenadian man based in Dubai as the 'beneficial owner' of a Delhi-based company involved in a large-scale betting, gaming, and cyber fraud-linked money-laundering operation in India.

Trump Is Coming For Immigrant Brothers, Sisters, Aunties, Uncles...

Trump Is Coming For Immigrant Brothers, Sisters, Aunties, Uncles...

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

Immigrants' contribution to the US economy is disproportionate to their share of the population, meaning that losing them would shrink the economy even more than losing a random group of Americans, points out Sree Sreenivasan.

Iran to unveil new Hormuz traffic plan, says US-linked vessels may be barred

Iran to unveil new Hormuz traffic plan, says US-linked vessels may be barred

Rediff.com17 May 2026

Head of the Iranian Parliament's National Security Committee Ebrahim Azizi on Saturday said that Iran has prepared a "professional mechanism" to regulate maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz through a designated route, which will be unveiled soon.

Sensex Rises Over 300 Points, Nifty Crosses 23,700 Amid Positive Market Sentiment

Sensex Rises Over 300 Points, Nifty Crosses 23,700 Amid Positive Market Sentiment

Rediff.com19 May 2026

Indian stock markets rallied in early trade after US President Donald Trump announced a halt to planned military strikes on Iran, citing requests from Gulf leaders and ongoing "very big discussions" that could lead to a deal. This de-escalation, coupled with foreign fund inflows and gains in IT and Adani group stocks, contributed to the positive market sentiment. Track Sensex and Nifty on May 19, 2026.

Markets to Track West Asia Situation, Crude Oil Prices This Week

Markets to Track West Asia Situation, Crude Oil Prices This Week

Rediff.com10 May 2026

Indian stock markets are expected to remain highly sensitive to geopolitical developments, particularly the US-Iran situation, and crude oil prices this week, with analysts also highlighting the influence of the rupee-dollar trend, foreign investor activity, and upcoming inflation data.

Stock Markets Plunge as West Asia Tensions, High Oil Price Fuel Sell-Off

Stock Markets Plunge as West Asia Tensions, High Oil Price Fuel Sell-Off

Rediff.com12 May 2026

Indian equity benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, tumbled nearly 2 per cent for the fourth consecutive session, driven by elevated crude oil prices, escalating US-Iran tensions, unabated foreign fund outflows, and a depreciating rupee.

Stock Markets Plunge as West Asia Tensions, High Oil Price Fuel Sell-Off

Stock Markets Plunge as West Asia Tensions, High Oil Price Fuel Sell-Off

Rediff.com12 May 2026

Indian equity benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, tumbled nearly 2 per cent for the fourth consecutive session, driven by elevated crude oil prices, escalating US-Iran tensions, unabated foreign fund outflows, and a depreciating rupee.

India raises visa concerns with US over immigration policy changes

India raises visa concerns with US over immigration policy changes

Rediff.com24 May 2026

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised India's concerns with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding changes to US visa and immigration policies, emphasising that legal mobility should not be negatively affected. Rubio acknowledged potential 'bumps' during the transition as the US aims to improve its immigration system.

Indian Equities Snap Losing Streak, End Marginally Higher

Indian Equities Snap Losing Streak, End Marginally Higher

Rediff.com13 May 2026

Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed marginally higher, breaking a four-day losing streak, despite elevated crude oil prices and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. The market saw a temporary pause in panic selling, though cautious sentiment persists.

Stock markets today: Sensex, Nifty50 in red amid volatile trade

Stock markets today: Sensex, Nifty50 in red amid volatile trade

Rediff.com7 May 2026

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced volatile trade, declining in early deals before fluctuating, as investors reacted to unabated foreign fund outflows and rising geopolitical uncertainties, particularly in West Asia.

Trump-Xi Bonhomie: Should India Be Uneasy?

Trump-Xi Bonhomie: Should India Be Uneasy?

Rediff.com20 May 2026

Delhi must now purge the delusional hopes of being a 'counterweight' to China in the US calculus, argues Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Avoid destination weddings, prefer online classes: Modi continues austerity push

Avoid destination weddings, prefer online classes: Modi continues austerity push

Rediff.com11 May 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appealed to citizens to adopt austerity measures, including avoiding destination weddings abroad and reducing edible oil consumption, to mitigate the impact of the West Asia crisis on India's economy.

'95-96 To A Dollar Is Not A Healthy Sign At All'

'95-96 To A Dollar Is Not A Healthy Sign At All'

Rediff.com20 May 2026

'Once the currency goes out of the hand, then possibly your major challenge is that it will not come back.'

Stock Markets Surge as Crude Oil Dips Below $100 Amid US-Iran Deal Hopes

Stock Markets Surge as Crude Oil Dips Below $100 Amid US-Iran Deal Hopes

Rediff.com25 May 2026

Indian benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty surged in early trade, driven by a sharp correction in crude oil prices below USD 100 per barrel and a rally in global markets, fuelled by improving sentiment surrounding US-Iran negotiations.

Stock Markets Edge Higher, IT Sector Shines Amid Volatility

Stock Markets Edge Higher, IT Sector Shines Amid Volatility

Rediff.com18 May 2026

Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, closed marginally higher after a volatile trading session, driven by value buying in IT and select blue-chip counters, despite global crude price hikes and a weak rupee.

Market Meltdown: Investors' Wealth Plunges by Rs 16.77 Lakh Crore in Four Sessions

Market Meltdown: Investors' Wealth Plunges by Rs 16.77 Lakh Crore in Four Sessions

Rediff.com12 May 2026

Indian investors have seen their wealth erode by a staggering Rs 16.77 lakh crore over four trading sessions, as the markets faced deep losses driven by elevated crude oil prices, geopolitical tensions, persistent foreign fund outflows, and a record-low rupee.

Stock markets today: Sensex, Nifty slump on fresh West Asia tensions, oil price

Stock markets today: Sensex, Nifty slump on fresh West Asia tensions, oil price

Rediff.com18 May 2026

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced a significant slump in early trade, mirroring weak global trends, as escalating tensions in West Asia, particularly a drone attack on the UAE's Barakah nuclear facility, pushed crude oil prices higher. Track Sensex, Nifty50 movement and key market drivers for May 18, 2026.

Sensex Rises Over 400 Points, Nifty Crosses 23,800 Amid Positive Market Sentiment

Sensex Rises Over 400 Points, Nifty Crosses 23,800 Amid Positive Market Sentiment

Rediff.com15 May 2026

Sensex gains over 400 points while Nifty trades above 23,800 amid strong IT sector buying.

Sensex gains nearly 790 points, driven by telecom and banking sector buying

Sensex gains nearly 790 points, driven by telecom and banking sector buying

Rediff.com14 May 2026

Indian stock markets saw a significant rebound, with the Sensex jumping nearly 790 points, primarily fuelled by strong buying interest in telecom, pharma, and private banking shares, despite a volatile trading session and a weakening rupee.

Rubio meets Modi, discusses West Asia, extends Trump's invitation to visit US

Rubio meets Modi, discusses West Asia, extends Trump's invitation to visit US

Rediff.com23 May 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed various aspects of India-US bilateral ties, focusing on defence, trade, energy, and technology. Rubio extended an invitation from President Donald Trump for PM Modi to visit the US.

Sensex Rises Over 700 Points, Nifty Crosses 23,600 Amid Positive Market Sentiment

Sensex Rises Over 700 Points, Nifty Crosses 23,600 Amid Positive Market Sentiment

Rediff.com14 May 2026

Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, saw gains in early trade, driven by strong performance in banking shares and positive sentiment from Asian markets, alongside optimism surrounding the ongoing US-China Summit.

Government okays Rs 10,000 cr jet fuel fund for airlines

Government okays Rs 10,000 cr jet fuel fund for airlines

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

The support will be provided to oil-marketing companies (OMCs) in the form of interest-free advances through the ministry of petroleum and natural gas. The OMCs, in turn, will use the fund to provide ATF price stabilisation support to Indian carriers operating domestic and international flights.

Sensex drops 245 points on persistent foreign fund outflows

Sensex drops 245 points on persistent foreign fund outflows

Rediff.com14 Jan 2026

From the 30-Sensex firms, Tata Consultancy Services, Asian Paints, Maruti, Sun Pharma, Hindustan Unilever, ICICI Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Tech Mahindra, HDFC Bank and Larsen & Toubro were among the biggest laggards. On the other hand, Tata Steel, NTPC, Axis Bank and UltraTech Cement were among the gainers.

US hits Iran's Qeshm Island; Tehran targets Kuwait, Bahrain

US hits Iran's Qeshm Island; Tehran targets Kuwait, Bahrain

Rediff.com3 Jun 2026

The United States military and Kuwaiti air defence forces successfully intercepted multiple Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting Kuwait and Bahrain, with Iran's state broadcaster claiming American military installations in Kuwait were deliberately targeted.

State Election Results, Crude Oil Prices to Dictate Stock Market Trends This Week

State Election Results, Crude Oil Prices to Dictate Stock Market Trends This Week

Rediff.com3 May 2026

Indian stock markets are poised for volatility this week, driven primarily by the outcomes of five state assembly elections, ongoing high crude oil prices amid West Asia tensions, and the release of Q4 corporate earnings, according to market analysts.

How Telangana Police Cracked Online Betting Racket

How Telangana Police Cracked Online Betting Racket

Rediff.com1 Jun 2026

Telangana CID arrests 11 individuals, including an Afghan national, for allegedly operating online betting across multiple states through the Dafabet platform. The investigation revealed a complex network of mule accounts and a coordinated multi-state criminal operation.

Jewellers back PM's gold appeal, propose monetisation scheme enhancements

Jewellers back PM's gold appeal, propose monetisation scheme enhancements

Rediff.com13 May 2026

Leading Indian jewellery bodies, including the All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) and Malabar Gold & Diamonds, have expressed support for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's appeal to reduce gold imports and are advocating for enhancements to the Gold Monetisation Scheme (GMS) to unlock India's vast idle gold reserves.

Op Sindoor: 'Pakistan Was Completely Blind'

Op Sindoor: 'Pakistan Was Completely Blind'

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

'We won not (only) because we were able to carry out long-range precision strikes.' 'That is, of course, one of the reasons but we had better situational awareness about what's happening than Pakistan.'

NEET UG Cancellation: How to Claim Your 100% Fee Refund Online

NEET UG Cancellation: How to Claim Your 100% Fee Refund Online

Rediff.com21 May 2026

The NTA has also confirmed that the upcoming re-examination, scheduled for June 21, 2026, will be conducted entirely free of cost for all previously registered candidates, funded fully through the agency's internal reserves.

Rupee's record low, crude prices pull Indian markets lower

Rupee's record low, crude prices pull Indian markets lower

Rediff.com19 May 2026

Indian stock markets concluded Tuesday's trading session lower, reversing intraday gains due to late-session selling in blue-chip stocks like HDFC Bank and Reliance Industries. The decline was primarily driven by the Indian rupee hitting a new record low against the US dollar and elevated global crude oil prices, compounded by geopolitical uncertainties.

CPI(M) Condemns ED Raids On Kerala CM As Political Attack

CPI(M) Condemns ED Raids On Kerala CM As Political Attack

Rediff.com27 May 2026

CPI(M) leaders have strongly criticised the ED raids on former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and others, alleging political motivation and a conspiracy by the BJP and Congress. They claim the raids are an attempt to intimidate the party and its leaders, and have vowed to fight back against what they see as a politically fabricated case.

Sri Lanka airport lease near China-controlled Hambantota port opens door for India

Sri Lanka airport lease near China-controlled Hambantota port opens door for India

Rediff.com17 May 2026

India is closely monitoring Sri Lanka's decision to offer foreign investors control of an airport near the China-controlled Hambantota port, as it could present a rare opening for Indian firms seeking strategic footholds in the Indian Ocean.

Govt issues updated SOP for processing FDI applications

Govt issues updated SOP for processing FDI applications

Rediff.com5 May 2026

The Indian government has issued an updated Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for processing Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) applications, aiming to clear all proposals within 12 weeks, a two-week extension from the previous 10-week target, to ensure a fully paperless and transparent process.

Gulf War Crisis: Why India Will Take A Huge Hit

Gulf War Crisis: Why India Will Take A Huge Hit

Rediff.com11 May 2026

This is the time for India to plan forward fully, with the goal of Atmanirbharata, and energy security. The Persian Gulf is no longer a reliable source, points out Rajeev Srinivasan.

UPI Transactions Surge To 22.35 Billion In April

UPI Transactions Surge To 22.35 Billion In April

Rediff.com4 May 2026

UPI transactions reached 22.35 billion in April, marking a 25 per cent increase compared to April 2025. UPI now accounts for 85 per cent of all digital transactions in India and is live in eight countries.

Stock markets today: Sensex, Nifty50 fall in early trade dragged by IT firms

Stock markets today: Sensex, Nifty50 fall in early trade dragged by IT firms

Rediff.com22 Apr 2026

Indian benchmark equity indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced a decline in early trade, ending a three-day rally, primarily due to heavy selling in IT stocks and concerns over prolonged instability in West Asia.