News for 'Foreign Service'

India looks to bet big on foreign drillers

India looks to bet big on foreign drillers

Rediff.com21 Jul 2025

India, the biggest contributor to world demand for oil, will bring into effect in an overhaul of its drilling policy. This comes after more than a year of preparation and will boost the exploration and development of India's oil and gas sector along with increased participation by foreign drillers

Modi flags off India's 1st Vande Bharat sleeper train

Modi flags off India's 1st Vande Bharat sleeper train

Rediff.com17 Jan 2026

Developed to meet the growing transportation needs of modern India, the fully AC Vande Bharat sleeper train would offer passengers an "airline-like travel experience at economical fares," a statement issued by the PMO stated.

Indian men boxers get new coach

Indian men boxers get new coach

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

The change at the helm comes in the wake of an underwhelming couple of years for Indian men's boxing.

Modi, Merz set for Ahmedabad talks amid rising global tensions

Modi, Merz set for Ahmedabad talks amid rising global tensions

Rediff.com11 Jan 2026

In their talks, Modi and Merz are likely to deliberate on trade and investment ties as New Delhi is looking at deepening economic engagement with Europe against the backdrop of Washington's 50 percent tariff on Indian goods, people familiar with the matter said.

H-1B Visa: The Hardest Hit Will Be...

H-1B Visa: The Hardest Hit Will Be...

Rediff.com26 Dec 2025

The US has replaced random H-1B selection with a wage-weighted lottery and a new $100,000 fee for applications, raising uncertainty for students and junior hires.

First-time luxury buyers power BMW to record sales

First-time luxury buyers power BMW to record sales

Rediff.com19 Jan 2026

The share of first-time luxury customers in BMW's portfolio has risen sharply -- from around 43 per cent in 2024 to nearly 49 per cent in 2025. In some models, the figure is even higher.

Budget 2026: Next 5 Reforms Needed To Boost Growth

Budget 2026: Next 5 Reforms Needed To Boost Growth

Rediff.com28 Jan 2026

Sustaining 8 per cent-plus growth rates is necessary if we are to reach high-income status by 2047, points out Amitabh Kant.

India calls B'desh envoy, seeks thorough probe into Hadi's murder

India calls B'desh envoy, seeks thorough probe into Hadi's murder

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

India has called on Bangladesh to conduct a thorough investigation into the death of Bangladeshi student leader Sharif Osman Hadi, amid rising tensions between the two countries following protests and incidents at diplomatic missions.

'Keep protesting, help is on its way', Trump tells Iranians amid unrest

'Keep protesting, help is on its way', Trump tells Iranians amid unrest

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Trump's remarks came amid heightened US messaging about the Iran situation and a series of White House statements indicating that multiple options remain under review.

Healthcare IPOs See A Surge In 2025

Healthcare IPOs See A Surge In 2025

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

The surge has come alongside a decline in average issue sizes and more muted listing-day returns compared with last year.

At $4.4 bn, Shriram Fin to get India's largest financial-sector FDI

At $4.4 bn, Shriram Fin to get India's largest financial-sector FDI

Rediff.com20 Dec 2025

Leading non-banking financial company (NBFC) Shriram Finance on Friday said Japan-based MUFG Bank would invest Rs 39,618 crore, or $4.4 billion, to acquire a 20 per cent stake on a fully diluted basis through a preferential issue of equity shares.

Xi Vs The Generals: Why It Matters To India

Xi Vs The Generals: Why It Matters To India

Rediff.com2 Feb 2026

If Xi Jinping can establish control over the PLA Ground Force, relations between India and China will settle down to an even keel. The next few weeks will show whether Xi has finally succeeded in gaining control over the PLA Ground Force. That could bring about the substantive shift in India-China relations that both our leaders have been working for, observes Ambassador Prabhat Shukla.

GIFT City Raises A Glass to Global Business

GIFT City Raises A Glass to Global Business

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

The latest move removes one of the key friction points for visitors, temporary liquor permits, while allowing licensed hotels and restaurants operational flexibility.

'Pressure from...': Chidambaram's big 26/11 admission

'Pressure from...': Chidambaram's big 26/11 admission

Rediff.com30 Sep 2025

Attacking the Congress, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said that India has "paid a heavy price" for the sins committed by the Congress while Union Minister Pralhad Joshi has accused the Oppostion party of "mishandling" the situation after the 2011 terror attacks in Mumbai in under foreign pressure.

Sensex down 78 points on weak global trends

Sensex down 78 points on weak global trends

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

Among Sensex firms, Sun Pharma, Tata Steel, Power Grid, Asian Paints, NTPC and Bharti Airtel were the biggest laggards. Tata Consultancy Services, Tech Mahindra, Infosys, Adani Ports, Axis Bank and HCL Tech were among the gainers.

AI Express flight makes 'precautionary' landing after tyre damage

AI Express flight makes 'precautionary' landing after tyre damage

Rediff.com18 Dec 2025

An Air India Express spokesperson said that the Jeddah-Kozhikode flight was diverted to the Cochin International Airport and "made a precautionary landing due to suspected damage to the aircraft's tyre likely caused by a foreign object on the runway at Jeddah airport".

'Sensex Captures Changing Structure Of Economy'

'Sensex Captures Changing Structure Of Economy'

Rediff.com26 Dec 2025

'Only four or five original companies remain; the rest have been replaced every decade as sectors evolve or leadership shifts.' 'Companies that fail to adapt -- like many textile mills from the 1970s and shipping firms from the 1980s -- disappear.' 'Benchmark indices reward those who reinvent themselves in line with economic demands.'

Mercedes-Benz Hits Speed Bump In 2025, Vows To Stay Course

Mercedes-Benz Hits Speed Bump In 2025, Vows To Stay Course

Rediff.com15 Jan 2026

Despite a 2.8 per cent fall in 2025 volumes, Mercedes-Benz India reported its best-ever revenue and profitability, led by top-end models, AMG growth and higher BEV mix.

Stricter safeguards on cards for life funds

Stricter safeguards on cards for life funds

Rediff.com16 Dec 2025

The government has circulated among members ofParliament a new draft of the Amendment of Insurance laws Bill, 2025, proposing stricter safeguards on the utilisation of life insurance funds and other specified insurance business funds, particularly for dividend payouts, bonuses, and servicing of debentures.

How Operation Sindoor Changed Security Doctrine

How Operation Sindoor Changed Security Doctrine

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

'Some success has been achieved in raising the costs of terrorism for Pakistan.'

Goldilocks phase, reforms glide path to spur Indian economy in 2026

Goldilocks phase, reforms glide path to spur Indian economy in 2026

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

India, the world's fourth largest economy, is set to maintain the 'goldilocks' phase with tailwinds of good growth, low inflation and robust banking performance as well as reform initiatives poised to sustain the economic pace witnessed during 2025.

Shakti Dubey tops 2024 civil services exam; women dominate top 5

Shakti Dubey tops 2024 civil services exam; women dominate top 5

Rediff.com22 Apr 2025

Shakti Dubey has topped the civil services examination 2024, with Harshita Goyal and Dongre Archit Parag getting the second and third ranks, the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) announced on Tuesday. The top five successful candidates comprise three women and two men. The civil services examination is conducted annually in three stages -- preliminary, main and interview -- by the UPSC to select officers of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS) among others. A total of 1,009 candidates -- 725 men and 284 women -- have been recommended by the UPSC for appointment to various services.

Listed companies' rent, lease expenses down since pandemic

Listed companies' rent, lease expenses down since pandemic

Rediff.com3 Jan 2026

Companies' rent and lease expenses have seen a significant decline relative to the money they make since the pandemic.

Republic Day 2026: Op Sindoor, defence prowess displayed at 77th R-Day parade

Republic Day 2026: Op Sindoor, defence prowess displayed at 77th R-Day parade

Rediff.com26 Jan 2026

Around 100 artistes heralded the parade, on the theme 'Vividata Mein Ekta (Unity in Diversity) that featured a grand presentation of musical instruments, demonstrating the nation's unity and rich cultural diversity.

Gold, silver rally to extend record run

Gold, silver rally to extend record run

Rediff.com14 Dec 2025

Gold and silver prices are poised to maintain their record-setting rally in the coming week as investors focus on global inflation data and key macroeconomic indicators that shape central bank policy paths, analysts said.

FPIs resume selling in Nov; withdraw Rs 3,765 cr from equities

FPIs resume selling in Nov; withdraw Rs 3,765 cr from equities

Rediff.com30 Nov 2025

After a brief pause in October, foreign investors resumed selling, pulling out a net Rs 3,765 crore from Indian equities in November, driven by global risk-off sentiment, volatility in global tech stocks and selective preference for primary markets over secondary markets.

US warns Beijing as Chinese vessels encircle Taiwan

US warns Beijing as Chinese vessels encircle Taiwan

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

The United States has warned China against escalating tensions as Taiwan detected multiple Chinese naval vessels, official ships and balloons operating around the island amid Beijing's large-scale live-fire military drills.

Russia shares 'evidence' of attack on Putin's residence with US

Russia shares 'evidence' of attack on Putin's residence with US

Rediff.com2 Jan 2026

Days after Russia alleged that Ukraine targeted President Vladimir Putin's official residence in a drone attack, Russian authorities on Thursday said they had shared what they described as evidence related to the incident with the United States, Anadolu Agency reported.

Rupee breaches 90/dollar for first time; closes at all-time low of 90.15

Rupee breaches 90/dollar for first time; closes at all-time low of 90.15

Rediff.com3 Dec 2025

The rupee breached 90-levels against the greenback for the first time on Wednesday, falling 6 paise to 90.02 in early trade, as banks kept buying US dollars at higher levels and FII outflows continued.

LS clears Insurance Amendment Bill to allow 100% FDI in insurance sector

LS clears Insurance Amendment Bill to allow 100% FDI in insurance sector

Rediff.com17 Dec 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday said that raising the FDI limit to 100 per cent in the insurance sector will help attract more capital, improve competition and increase insurance penetration by making policies more affordable.

Mutual Fund Equity Purchases Hit Record High In 2025

Mutual Fund Equity Purchases Hit Record High In 2025

Rediff.com8 Dec 2025

The continued MF buying has pushed the equity holding of MFs to over Rs 50 trillion for the first time.

How RBI Governor Fared In The First Year

How RBI Governor Fared In The First Year

Rediff.com29 Dec 2025

Sanjay Malhotra has made structural changes to banking regulation to bring down costs and increase efficiency. Plus, he kicked off a benign interest regime. But there are challenges ahead.

40 dead, 100 injured in fire at bar in Switzerland

40 dead, 100 injured in fire at bar in Switzerland

Rediff.com1 Jan 2026

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) on Thursday stated that around 40 people have died and 100 others have been injured in a non-arson fire at the 'Le Constellation' bar in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, citing information provided by the Valais Cantonal Police.

Markets fall on selling in IT shares, foreign fund outflows

Markets fall on selling in IT shares, foreign fund outflows

Rediff.com14 Jul 2025

Benchmark stock indices Sensex and Nifty declined on Monday, extending the losing run to the fourth day amid selling in IT shares and foreign fund outflows. The 30-share BSE Sensex dropped by 247.01 points or 0.30 per cent to settle at 82,253.46. During the day, it fell 490.09 points or 0.59 per cent to 82,010.38 but recovered some of the losses towards the close.

'India, Pak, they were going at it': Trump again

'India, Pak, they were going at it': Trump again

Rediff.com10 Dec 2025

Meanwhile, Trump said Cambodia and Thailand have started fighting again and "tomorrow", he will make a phone call to those countries.

NCW steps in as foreign secy, daughter trolled after India-Pak truce

NCW steps in as foreign secy, daughter trolled after India-Pak truce

Rediff.com13 May 2025

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who faced trolling on social media in the wake of India and Pakistan reaching an understanding on May 10 to halt all military actions, has received support from veteran diplomat Nirupama Menon Rao, a body of Indian diplomats and a host of politicians from several parties.

100% FDI in insurance likely soon

100% FDI in insurance likely soon

Rediff.com13 Dec 2025

The Union Cabinet on Friday approved 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the insurance sector, a move that was welcomed by industry as it would help attract more capital and global expertise, while boosting insurance coverage in the country. A bill to amend the insurance law is likely to be tabled on Monday in Parliament, whose winter session is slated to conclude on December 19.

DRDO transfers surveillance app among 7 technologies to armed forces

DRDO transfers surveillance app among 7 technologies to armed forces

Rediff.com6 Dec 2025

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has transferred seven technologies developed under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme to the armed forces, enhancing indigenous defense capabilities.

Cyclone Ditwah wreaks havoc in Sri Lanka, 80 killed; India provides relief

Cyclone Ditwah wreaks havoc in Sri Lanka, 80 killed; India provides relief

Rediff.com28 Nov 2025

Sri Lanka is facing a severe crisis after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread flooding and landslides, resulting in numerous deaths and displacement. India has launched 'Operation Sagar Bandhu' to provide relief. The situation is expected to remain critical with rising river levels and continued rainfall.

White collar terror module: Kashmir starts profiling mosques, madrasas

White collar terror module: Kashmir starts profiling mosques, madrasas

Rediff.com13 Jan 2026

Authorities in Kashmir have initiated a profiling process of mosques, madrassas, and individuals associated with their management following the exposure of a 'white collar' terror module. The enumeration drive focuses on the finances of these institutions and the backgrounds of their personnel.