News for 'Foreign Service'

AI push: Tax break for global cloud firms using Indian data centres

AI push: Tax break for global cloud firms using Indian data centres

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Union Budget on Sunday proposed a tax holiday till 2047 for foreign companies that provide cloud services to customers globally using data centres located in India, signalling the government's push to make the country a major hub for AI and digital infrastructure.

AI push: Tax break for global cloud firms using Indian data centres

AI push: Tax break for global cloud firms using Indian data centres

Rediff.com1 Feb 2026

The Union Budget on Sunday proposed a tax holiday till 2047 for foreign companies that provide cloud services to customers globally using data centres located in India, signalling the government's push to make the country a major hub for AI and digital infrastructure.

AI and trade deals are driving India's services exports

AI and trade deals are driving India's services exports

Rediff.com6 Oct 2025

India's computer services exports have risen 30 per cent since the advent of ChatGPT in November 2022, even as overall services exports have plateaued, World Bank's South Asia Chief Economist Franziska Ohnsorge said, terming Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the conclusion of more trade agreements that can trigger a "manufacturing renaissance", as the two big investment opportunities for India in coming years.

US ends automatic work permit extensions for foreigners, Indians to be hit

US ends automatic work permit extensions for foreigners, Indians to be hit

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

As per the new rule, foreigners who file to renew their EAD on or after October 30, 2025, will no longer receive an automatic extension, the DHS said in a news release.

GIFT IFSC captures 65% of ECBs in FY26 on lower taxes, lighter rules

GIFT IFSC captures 65% of ECBs in FY26 on lower taxes, lighter rules

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

Nearly two-thirds of external commercial borrowings (ECBs) raised so far in the ongoing financial year (2025-26/FY26) have been routed through Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City), a sharp jump from the 36 per cent recorded in 2024-25.

War Exposes Cracks in US-Israel Alliance

War Exposes Cracks in US-Israel Alliance

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

Alliances fight wars effectively only when they share an endgame. If Israel acted without US knowledge, then the military alliance is operating without real coordination at the level of strategic targeting. Neither picture is reassuring in a war that is no longer regional in its consequences. Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

Budget 2026's tax proposals weave a strategic vision

Budget 2026's tax proposals weave a strategic vision

Rediff.com4 Feb 2026

The proposals outlined in Budget 2026-27 represent a carefully crafted, multi-year strategy designed to strengthen India's big bets on the path to Viksit Bharat 2047, says Sameer Gupta.

How The Taxman Plans To Close Cases Faster

How The Taxman Plans To Close Cases Faster

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

Building on last year's clearance of 172K cases, I-T department is pushing for faster appeal disposals, penalty reforms and system-driven processes to curb litigation and boost tax certainty.

Sensex gains 480 points as investors cheer US SC tariff verdict

Sensex gains 480 points as investors cheer US SC tariff verdict

Rediff.com23 Feb 2026

Indian equity markets closed higher, driven by gains in PSU bank, auto, and financial stocks, following the US Supreme Court's decision on tariffs. Sensex climbed 479.95 points to 83,294.66, and Nifty advanced 141.75 points to 25,713.

Russia shared intelligence with Iran on US assets: Report

Russia shared intelligence with Iran on US assets: Report

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

Russia has shared intelligence with Iran that could help Tehran target American warships, aircraft and other military assets in the region, according to United States intelligence assessments cited by media reports, marking the first indication of Moscow's possible involvement in the ongoing conflict. Officials familiar with US intelligence findings said a significant portion of the shared information reportedly includes imagery from Russia's network of surveillance satellites.

Trump Won't Decide What Happens Next In The War

Trump Won't Decide What Happens Next In The War

Rediff.com2 Apr 2026

'The next two to three weeks will not be decided in Washington.' 'They will be decided in Tehran, in whatever calculation Iran makes about the costs of continued resistance against the costs of appearing to have yielded.'

Sensex falls 344 pts amid profit-taking, foreign fund outflows

Sensex falls 344 pts amid profit-taking, foreign fund outflows

Rediff.com24 Oct 2025

Among Sensex firms, Hindustan Unilever dropped the most by 3.20 per cent. UltraTech Cement, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Adani Ports, Titan, HDFC Bank and Axis Bank were also among the laggards. However, Bharti Airtel, ICICI Bank, Bharat Electronics and Sun Pharma were among the gainers.

The Hundred: Fans Rage After SRH Sign Pak's Abrar

The Hundred: Fans Rage After SRH Sign Pak's Abrar

Rediff.com13 Mar 2026

The auction of The Hundred on Thursday was meant to be a celebratory milestone for the England and Wales Cricket Board. Instead, it has triggered a controversy in India.

Khamenei Among 10 Of The World's Longest-Serving Leaders

Khamenei Among 10 Of The World's Longest-Serving Leaders

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

From founding fathers to Europe's most unyielding rulers, these figures have not just held office, they have established a cult of leadership and will leave legacies, mostly mixed, that few can rival.

Investors' wealth eroded nearly Rs 7 lakh cr as markets slumped

Investors' wealth eroded nearly Rs 7 lakh cr as markets slumped

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

The BSE Sensex plummeted 1,236 points, wiping out nearly Rs 7 lakh crore in investor wealth, driven by escalating tensions between the US and Iran and subsequent market selloff.

Realty to get indirect push from Budget proposals

Realty to get indirect push from Budget proposals

Rediff.com3 Feb 2026

The government's Budget announcements providing tax holiday for data centres, setting up of city economic regions (CERs) and funding to improve infrastructure in Tier-II and -III cities may give an indirect boost to India's realty sector, said industry executives.

AI scare triggers worst FPI fortnightly exit from IT stocks since July 2025

AI scare triggers worst FPI fortnightly exit from IT stocks since July 2025

Rediff.com20 Feb 2026

Fears around artificial intelligence (AI) sparked a global selloff in information technology (IT) stocks, dragging down domestic software shares and prompting the heaviest foreign portfolio investor (FPI) outflows since the second half of July 2025.

Russian intelligence deputy chief hurt in Moscow assassination attempt

Russian intelligence deputy chief hurt in Moscow assassination attempt

Rediff.com7 Feb 2026

Alekseyev, deputy chief of Russian military intelligence (GRU), has been involved in Russia's military campaigns in Ukraine and Syria. He's also been sanctioned by the US and EU for his role in malicious cyber activities and the nerve agent attack in Salisbury, England.

Strait of Hormuz shut, 37 Indian-flagged ships stuck

Strait of Hormuz shut, 37 Indian-flagged ships stuck

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

Dozens of Indian-flagged ships and over a thousand seafarers are stranded in the Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and surrounding areas due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz amidst ongoing military actions involving the US, Israel, and Iran.

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

What we are watching is something different: A fog manufactured and maintained by the people who started the war, so that the question of why it was started never has to be answered, observes Prem Panicker in his must read blog on the war in the Middle East.

ED wants speedy trial against P Chidambaram in PMLA cases

ED wants speedy trial against P Chidambaram in PMLA cases

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is seeking an expedited trial against Congress leader P Chidambaram in the Aircel-Maxis and INX Media money laundering cases, having submitted the required prosecution sanction to the court.

Smallcap Segment Is Volatile

Smallcap Segment Is Volatile

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

'Except for extremely conservative investors, others can consider allocating 10 to 20 per cent of their portfolio to small caps.'

'Trump grasping for excuses to slap tariffs on India'

'Trump grasping for excuses to slap tariffs on India'

Rediff.com19 Feb 2026

A US lawmaker has criticized President Donald Trump's tariff policy on India for purchasing Russian oil, urging him to reverse it immediately.

Sensex jumps 336 points on buying in services, telecom shares

Sensex jumps 336 points on buying in services, telecom shares

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

Among the Sensex firms, Bharat Electronics Ltd, Mahindra & Mahindra, Adani Ports, HCL Technologies, Eternal, Infosys, Bharti Airtel, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Larsen & Toubro, Hindustan Unilever and UltraTech Cement were the gainers. Bajaj Finance, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Kotak Mahindra Bank, PowerGrid and Tata Steel were among the laggards.

AI summit, board exams: Delhi braces for traffic chaos

AI summit, board exams: Delhi braces for traffic chaos

Rediff.com16 Feb 2026

Delhi is implementing heightened security and traffic restrictions for the five-day AI Impact Summit, deploying over 10,000 police personnel and issuing traffic advisories to minimize disruption to commuters and students.

Gulf War: Hormuz Is Becoming The Central Battlefield

Gulf War: Hormuz Is Becoming The Central Battlefield

Rediff.com23 Mar 2026

The question is no longer whether the war will expand. It has. The next few days will tell us whether the war stabilises around Hormuz or whether the Strait itself becomes the trigger for a far larger rupture. What to watch for over the next 48 hours is simple: Any move by the US toward direct naval control of the Strait; any credible Iranian attempt to disrupt or mine shipping lanes and, critically, whether energy infrastructure in the Gulf continues to be targeted.If those lines are crossed in tandem, the war will no longer be containable within the region.

Rs 14 Trillion Investor Wealth Wiped Out

Rs 14 Trillion Investor Wealth Wiped Out

Rediff.com7 Mar 2026

Sensex and Nifty post steepest weekly loss in over a year, falling nearly 3 per cent.

Sensex closed 283 points higher on buying in bank, metal shares

Sensex closed 283 points higher on buying in bank, metal shares

Rediff.com18 Feb 2026

Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty extended their gains for the third straight session on Wednesday, driven by last-hour buying in bank, metal, and FMCG shares.

FPIs Pull Out $3bn From Indian Stocks

FPIs Pull Out $3bn From Indian Stocks

Rediff.com29 Jan 2026

Foreign investors have remained cautious ahead of the Union Budget amid expectations of limited policy changes.

How the stock markets will fare next week

How the stock markets will fare next week

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

Macroeconomic data, global geopolitical developments and rising concerns over AI-related disruptions are likely to dictate sentiment in the stock market next week, even as investors may remain cautious amid ongoing volatility, according to analysts.

Which Sectors Bore FPI Brunt In 2025?

Which Sectors Bore FPI Brunt In 2025?

Rediff.com23 Jan 2026

FPIs net sold equities worth Rs 1.7 trillion in 2025 -- the highest annual net sale on record.

CCS assesses West Asia crisis, orders steps to help stranded Indians

CCS assesses West Asia crisis, orders steps to help stranded Indians

Rediff.com2 Mar 2026

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has reviewed the evolving situation in West Asia, directing departments to assist Indian nationals affected by recent developments and emphasizing the need for dialogue and diplomacy.

Has US Repeated Its Iraq Mistake?

Has US Repeated Its Iraq Mistake?

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

Israel and the United States had a plan. Iran punched back. And now the Gulf is reeling, the world is beginning to feel the pain and, as on date, no one in Washington or Tel Aviv appears willing to admit that the punch has landed, notes Prem Panicker, continuing his must-read blog on the war in the Middle East.

Sensex tumbles 558 points on sell-off in IT shares

Sensex tumbles 558 points on sell-off in IT shares

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

Benchmark BSE Sensex fell 558 points on Thursday amid heavy selling in IT shares, as concerns over AI-led disruptions and waning hopes of a Fed rate cut after firm US economic data weighed on investor sentiment.

Amit Shah launches India's first co-operative ride app Bharat Taxi

Amit Shah launches India's first co-operative ride app Bharat Taxi

Rediff.com5 Feb 2026

Addressing an event after launching the service, Shah said the rival ride-hailing platforms have reduced commission and are offering many other incentives, including free rides to customers, seeing the success of Bharat Taxi during the pilot operation.

'Viksit Bharat cannot truly become a reality unless...'

'Viksit Bharat cannot truly become a reality unless...'

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

'The real question is how best to leverage technology to deliver better services, all the way to the last mile, where we still haven't been able to get across the financial literacy that can enable us to unlock the potential of the entire country.'

Sensex up 174 points on gains in bank, IT stocks

Sensex up 174 points on gains in bank, IT stocks

Rediff.com17 Feb 2026

Stock markets closed higher for the second straight session on Tuesday, driven by gains in bank, IT and capital goods shares.

Sensex ends down 386 points on foreign fund outflows

Sensex ends down 386 points on foreign fund outflows

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

Among Sensex firms, Tata Motors, Bharat Electronics, UltraTech Cement, Tech Mahindra, Mahindra & Mahindra, ICICI Bank, Tata Consultancy Services and Axis Bank were the major laggards. However, Power Grid, Hindustan Unilever, NTPC and HCL Tech were among the gainers.

Russia expels British diplomat over spying allegations

Russia expels British diplomat over spying allegations

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

Russia has expelled a British diplomat, Gareth Samuel Davies, accusing him of spying and working for UK secret services. The UK's Charge d'Affaires was summoned, and a formal protest was lodged. Russia warned of retaliation if the UK escalates the situation.

8 To 1 Trump Won't Start A Gulf War

8 To 1 Trump Won't Start A Gulf War

Rediff.com12 Feb 2026

The threat of wars hovers over the negotiations in Oman, but the good part is that Trump called the talks to be 'very good' and Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian responded that they 'constitute a step forward', points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.