News for 'Foreign Service'

Should US shut down H-1B visa programme? What Elon Musk said

Should US shut down H-1B visa programme? What Elon Musk said

Rediff.com1 Dec 2025

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk voices strong support for the H1B visa program, highlighting the immense benefit the US has derived from Indian talent and cautioning against shutting it down.

Don't Expect A Reprieve From Trump!

Don't Expect A Reprieve From Trump!

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

'There are times when India should stand up without hesitation and voice its indignation over the US' pressure tactic. This is one such moment,' asserts Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Modi and Putin: Hug in airport, ride in car, dinner at 7, LKM

Modi and Putin: Hug in airport, ride in car, dinner at 7, LKM

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

Russian President Vladimir Putin arrived in New Delhi for a two-day visit focused on strengthening ties with India, including defense cooperation and trade, amidst a changing geopolitical landscape.

Afghans Are Adept At Playing India Against Pakistan

Afghans Are Adept At Playing India Against Pakistan

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

'During the 5-day visit, Amir Khan Muttaqi would have, conceivably, bumped into our powerful security agencies one way or another and some interaction would have ensued, which, in turn, can lead to future dealings.' 'Indeed, this will be the one crucial template of the Indo-Afghan relationship that Pakistan will be monitoring closely,' points Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

'My Life Has Been Paused Without My Consent'

'My Life Has Been Paused Without My Consent'

Rediff.com12 Dec 2025

Thousands of Indian H-1B workers are stranded in India after sudden visa appointment cancellations at US consulates.

Sensex jumps 319 points on buying in IT stocks

Sensex jumps 319 points on buying in IT stocks

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

Among the Sensex firms, Infosys, HCL Technologies, Bajaj Finance, Asian Paints, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Tata Consultancy Services, Bharti Airtel, Titan, Bajaj Finserv, Reliance Industries and Larsen & Toubro were the gainers. Trent Ltd, Eternal, Power Grid, UltraTech Cement, Mahindra & Mahindra, Axis Bank, State Bank of India, Adani Ports, Hindustan Unilever and NTPC were the laggards.

'Direct threat to US': Trump sanctions Indian firms

'Direct threat to US': Trump sanctions Indian firms

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

The Trump administration has sanctioned entities and individuals from India involved in sales of Iran's petroleum and petroleum products, saying the funds from this trade support Tehran's regional terrorist proxies and procure weapons systems that are a direct threat to the US.

Importers rush to hedge while exporters wait on sidelines amid rupee dip

Importers rush to hedge while exporters wait on sidelines amid rupee dip

Rediff.com5 Dec 2025

Importers are rushing to hedge their dollar positions amid the sharp depreciation of the rupee against the American currency and expectations of further volatility even as exporters are holding off after suffering mark-to-market (MTM) losses on earlier hedges.

Sensex, Nifty slip amid profit-taking, weak Asian markets

Sensex, Nifty slip amid profit-taking, weak Asian markets

Rediff.com28 Oct 2025

Among Sensex firms, Trent, ICICI Bank, Tech Mahindra, Bajaj Finserv, Mahindra & Mahindra, Power Grid, Tata Consultancy Services and Bajaj Finance were the major laggards. However, Tata Steel, Larsen & Toubro, State Bank of India, Kotak Mahindra Bank were among the major gainers.

Recent RBI policies to help banks stay at equilibrium: Kamath

Recent RBI policies to help banks stay at equilibrium: Kamath

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

The recent policies that have been announced by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will allow banks to fully use its capital, funding profile to keep business at an equilibrium level, which otherwise was getting skewed towards retail, said K V Kamath, chairman, Jio Financial Services.

Global Investing: What YOU Must Know

Global Investing: What YOU Must Know

Rediff.com16 Oct 2025

Here's what Indian investors diversifying into equities, ETFs, and real estate abroad to manage risk, returns, and currency exposure must watch out for.

Sensex jumps 595 points on strong global cues

Sensex jumps 595 points on strong global cues

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

From the Sensex pack, Asian Paints, Tech Mahindra, Tata Consultancy Services, Bajaj Finserv, Adani Ports, HCL Technologies, Bharti Airtel, Infosys, Trent, Reliance Industries, UltraTech Cement, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Eternal, Titan and Bajaj Finance were the gainers. On the other hand, Tata Steel, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles, Bharat Electronics, Kotak Mahindra Bank and PowerGrid were the laggards.

Saudi Arabia Ends Kafala: What Changes For 2.6 Mn Indians?

Saudi Arabia Ends Kafala: What Changes For 2.6 Mn Indians?

Rediff.com23 Oct 2025

Saudi Arabia has scrapped its decades-old Kafala system, freeing 13 million migrant workers, including 2.6 million Indians, from restrictive employer control and exit visa rules.

Islamabad suicide bomber an Afghan national: Pak minister

Islamabad suicide bomber an Afghan national: Pak minister

Rediff.com13 Nov 2025

Pakistan's Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced that the suicide bomber involved in the deadly Islamabad bombing was an Afghan national. The announcement follows a suicide bombing in Islamabad and another attack in South Waziristan.

Putin to land in Delhi soon, Modi to host private dinner

Putin to land in Delhi soon, Modi to host private dinner

Rediff.com4 Dec 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will host Russian President Vladimir Putin for a private dinner and summit, focusing on defence, trade, and geopolitical issues, including the Ukraine conflict and the impact of US sanctions.

Pakistan presses Taliban in Istanbul talks over cross-border terror

Pakistan presses Taliban in Istanbul talks over cross-border terror

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

Pakistan has handed over evidence-based demands to mediators in Istanbul talks with the Afghan Taliban, aiming to end cross-border terrorism. The talks follow recent border clashes and aim to defuse tensions between the two sides.

In An AI-Obsessed World, India's Craft May Redefine 'Made In India'

In An AI-Obsessed World, India's Craft May Redefine 'Made In India'

Rediff.com2 Dec 2025

What is currently perceived as a massive, low-tech liability could become a high-value, export-oriented economic engine, points out Ajit Balakrishnan.

Pakistan could not benefit from CPEC, admits minister

Pakistan could not benefit from CPEC, admits minister

Rediff.com14 Nov 2025

A senior Pakistani minister has admitted that the country failed to capitalize on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), citing attempts by the previous government to undermine Chinese investments, leading to investor flight.

QS Rankings Expose India's Higher-Education Gap

QS Rankings Expose India's Higher-Education Gap

Rediff.com18 Nov 2025

India not only lost its top place as the most represented higher-education system to China, several of its marquee institutions saw a significant drop.

Sensex climbs 70 points on foreign fund inflows

Sensex climbs 70 points on foreign fund inflows

Rediff.com29 Apr 2025

From the Sensex firms, Reliance Industries, Tech Mahindra, Eternal, HCL Tech, Infosys, IndusInd Bank, Tata Consultancy Services and Bajaj Finserv were the biggest gainers. In contrast, UltraTech Cement, Sun Pharma, Power Grid, NTPC, Kotak Mahindra Bank and Mahindra & Mahindra were among the laggards.

Sensex rises 329 pts on rally in pharma, banking shares

Sensex rises 329 pts on rally in pharma, banking shares

Rediff.com10 Oct 2025

Among the Sensex firms, State Bank of India, Maruti Suzuki India, Axis Bank, NTPC, BEL, Adani Ports, Eternal, Sun Pharmaceuticals, Power Grid, ITC, UltraTech Cement, Trent, HCL Technologies, Mahindra & Mahindra, and HDFC Bank were the major gainers. On the other hand, Tata Steel, Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, Titan, Bajaj Finserv, Tata Motors, Bharti Airtel and Bajaj Finance were among the laggards.

Blackstone to invest Rs 6,200 crore for 9.99% stake in Federal Bank

Blackstone to invest Rs 6,200 crore for 9.99% stake in Federal Bank

Rediff.com25 Oct 2025

Private-sector lender Federal Bank on Friday announced that New York-based Blackstone will invest Rs 6,196.51 crore in the bank through its affiliate Asia II Topco XIII Pte Ltd via a preferential issue on a private placement basis.

Pak-Afghan forces exchange fire amid peace talks

Pak-Afghan forces exchange fire amid peace talks

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

Pakistani and Afghan forces exchanged fire, testing the fragile peace between the two sides as officials from both countries held talks in Turkiye to find a lasting solution to cross-border militancy.

RBI announces slew of measures to promote rupee

RBI announces slew of measures to promote rupee

Rediff.com1 Oct 2025

In a bid to promote the use of domestic currency for cross-border settlements, the Reserve Bank on Wednesday announced a slew of measures, including allowing banks to lend in Indian Rupees to non-residents from Bhutan, Nepal and Sri Lanka for bilateral trade.

Sensex pares gains on profit-booking; ends up 130 pts

Sensex pares gains on profit-booking; ends up 130 pts

Rediff.com23 Oct 2025

From the Sensex firms, Infosys climbed 3.86 per cent. HCL Tech, Tata Consultancy Services, Axis Bank, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Titan and Tech Mahindra were also among the gainers. However, Eternal, UltraTech Cement, Bharti Airtel and Adani Ports were among the laggards.

Why US-China Face-Off Is Advantage India

Why US-China Face-Off Is Advantage India

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

Amid US-China trade tensions and economic vulnerabilities, India must seize the 'China +1' opportunity, deepen reforms, secure FTAs, and globalise its firms for long-term growth, suggests Ajay Shah.

Sensex pares gains; ends up 411 points

Sensex pares gains; ends up 411 points

Rediff.com20 Oct 2025

From the Sensex firms, Reliance Industries climbed 3.52 per cent after the firm on Friday reported a 9.6 per cent year-on-year rise in net profit for the September quarter, driven by strong performance in its consumer-facing retail and telecom businesses and a recovery in its core oil-to-chemicals segment. Bajaj Finserv, Axis Bank, State Bank of India, Tata Consultancy Services, Titan and Bharti Airtel were also among the gainers. However, ICICI Bank, Mahindra & Mahindra, Eternal, Adani Ports and Power Grid were among the laggards.

Pre-Budget meeting: Ficci seeks faster resolution of tax disputes

Pre-Budget meeting: Ficci seeks faster resolution of tax disputes

Rediff.com29 Oct 2025

The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Ficci) has sought urgent steps to clear the huge backlog of income-tax appeals, simplify tax deducted at source (TDS) compliance, and ensure tax neutrality for fast-track demergers, during its consultation with Revenue Secretary Arvind Shrivastava ahead of the Union Budget 2026-27.

Urgent Need For Data Sovereignty

Urgent Need For Data Sovereignty

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

'When global politics has some intervention on the core software one uses, and if you are cut off from your own data in critical workflows, sovereignty is no longer optional. It becomes a necessity.'

'Why Can't Mr Modi Reopen The Passes To Tibet?'

'Why Can't Mr Modi Reopen The Passes To Tibet?'

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

On August 5, 1953, Jawaharlal Nehru sent a strange note to the foreign secretary. It is worth mentioning because it was symptomatic of the lack of knowledge about Western Tibet in India and in South Block in particular, notes Claude Arpi.

M&A financing the new frontier for banks, but RBI's watching

M&A financing the new frontier for banks, but RBI's watching

Rediff.com26 Nov 2025

Mint Road's proposals on banks' M&A funding are cautious even as entrants root for more elbow room, and weigh business models.

Foreign brokerages stay cautious on India stock market

Foreign brokerages stay cautious on India stock market

Rediff.com10 Jun 2025

Foreign brokerages remain cautious on the road ahead for the Indian equity markets. Though analysts at Nomura have revised their March 2026 Nifty target to 26,140 levels from the earlier 24,970, but the upside from the current levels is a modest 6 per cent. BofA Securities, on the other hand, has not made any change to its year-end Nifty target.

Pak moves towards integrated command after May conflict with India

Pak moves towards integrated command after May conflict with India

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

Pakistan is considering creating a new position of 'Commander of Defence Forces' (CDF) to improve coordination and unified command among its military services, according to media reports. The move is part of broader defence reforms and is reportedly influenced by recent conflicts and the evolving nature of modern warfare.

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Rediff.com26 Oct 2025

In an event-heavy week, stock investors will track ongoing quarterly earnings, the US Federal Reserve's interest rate decision, and macroeconomic data for market direction, analysts said. Moreover, progress in India-US trade negotiations will remain a key focus for investors, an expert said.

The Secret US Hand In 1962 War

The Secret US Hand In 1962 War

Rediff.com21 Nov 2025

India emerged from the war militarily bruised and strategically altered. The United States, under the guise of friendship, had succeeded in achieving what open alignment never could: The psychological and political repositioning of India within the Cold War order, points out Dr Kumar.

Goa Guardians: Heart, Hustle and a Dream Debut in PVL

Goa Guardians: Heart, Hustle and a Dream Debut in PVL

Rediff.com15 Nov 2025

As the players waved to their supporters at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium, there was no sense of an ending, only a beginning. A young team, a fearless philosophy, and a debut season that sparked belief.

US sanctions 2 largest Russian Oil companies

US sanctions 2 largest Russian Oil companies

Rediff.com23 Oct 2025

The US Department of the Treasury on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Russia's two largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, in an effort to pressure the Kremlin to end its war in Ukraine.

Sitharaman asks fintechs to strengthen risk management to check AI misuse

Sitharaman asks fintechs to strengthen risk management to check AI misuse

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday asked fintech firms to focus on risk management at a time when criminals are using AI to mimic voices, clone identities and create lifelike videos to manipulate people.

Domestic pension fund flows into equities at record high

Domestic pension fund flows into equities at record high

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

A record amount of pension money may be finding its way into the stock market, if buying figures in the National Stock Exchange (NSE) data are any indication. Category inflows touched Rs 37,409 crore for the three months ending September 2025, shows an analysis of NSE data.

India's selective with flying rights: IndiGo CEO rebuts Emirates

India's selective with flying rights: IndiGo CEO rebuts Emirates

Rediff.com31 Oct 2025

'India is giving selective traffic rights wherever it makes sense to allocate those traffic rights.'