News for 'Foreign Service'

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.

3 Afghan cricketers among several killed in Pak airstrikes

3 Afghan cricketers among several killed in Pak airstrikes

Rediff.com18 Oct 2025

Pakistan launched fresh air strikes targeting terrorist hideouts in Afghanistan, killing several people, including three cricketers, casting a shadow over the expected talks in Doha amid a fragile ceasefire that had temporarily halted hostilities between the two sides.

CBI probes 'FCRA violations' by Wangchuk's institution

CBI probes 'FCRA violations' by Wangchuk's institution

Rediff.com25 Sep 2025

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated an inquiry into alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) against an institution founded by Ladakh-based educationist and activist Sonam Wangchuk. The inquiry follows a complaint from the Ministry of Home Affairs regarding the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives Ladakh (HIAL).

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.'

UPI Goes Global, Fintech Hits A Wall

UPI Goes Global, Fintech Hits A Wall

Rediff.com1 Nov 2025

'When you think of cross-border payments, the first things that come to mind are risk, compliance, taxation, speed, and cost.'

Selling in blue-chips RIL, HDFC Bank drag Sensex down by 153 points

Selling in blue-chips RIL, HDFC Bank drag Sensex down by 153 points

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

Among Sensex firms, Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra, Bharat Electronics, UltraTech Cement, Trent, Sun Pharma, Power Grid and Reliance Industries were the major laggards. However, Titan, Infosys, Tata Consultancy Services, HCL Tech and Tech Mahindra were among the biggest gainers.

After H-1B Trump Tightens Grip On OPT Students

After H-1B Trump Tightens Grip On OPT Students

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

The share of Indian students pursuing OPT has nearly doubled from 22.12 per cent in 2006-07 to over 40 per cent in 2023-24.

Haryana IPS suicide: DGP likely to be sent on leave

Haryana IPS suicide: DGP likely to be sent on leave

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini held a meeting with top officials to address concerns related to the death of IPS officer Y Puran Kumar. The government is considering actions based on a complaint filed by Kumar's wife.

Sensex, Nifty tumble nearly 1% on foreign fund outflows

Sensex, Nifty tumble nearly 1% on foreign fund outflows

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

From the 30-share Sensex blue-chip pack, Tata Steel, Zomato, Larsen & Toubro, Tata Motors, Adani Ports, Tata Consultancy Services, HDFC Bank and NTPC were the major laggards. Nestle, Hindustan Unilever, Mahindra & Mahindra, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Asian Paints and Bharti Airtel were among the gainers.

Will Trump Pull The Plug On Russian Oil Sanctions?

Will Trump Pull The Plug On Russian Oil Sanctions?

Rediff.com27 Oct 2025

Whether Trump will actually press ahead with the oil sanctions remains unclear, since keeping Russian oil out of the world market risks high oil prices which could boomerang on the US economy and be damaging politically for Trump, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Srini Gopalan named new CEO of T-Mobile

Srini Gopalan named new CEO of T-Mobile

Rediff.com24 Sep 2025

Indian-American executive Srini Gopalan has been appointed chief executive officer of telecom operator T-Mobile, amid ongoing debates over H-1B visa policies. Gopalan's appointment, effective from November 1, 2025, comes as US President Donald Trump signed a proclamation imposing a staggering $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, triggering widespread panic, concern and fear among Indian professionals on work visa.

TCS likely to be hit hard by Trump's H-1B visa fee hike

TCS likely to be hit hard by Trump's H-1B visa fee hike

Rediff.com20 Sep 2025

According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Amazon had 10,044 workers using H-1B visas as of June, 2025. Coming in at the second spot was TCS with 5,505 H-1B visas approved.

India bans imports, Pak ships entry; suspends postal services

India bans imports, Pak ships entry; suspends postal services

Rediff.com3 May 2025

Main imports from the neighbouring country during April-January 2024-25 included fruits and nuts (USD 0.08 million), certain oil seeds and medicinal plants (USD 0.26 million), and organic chemicals.

3 key drivers for the markets this week

3 key drivers for the markets this week

Rediff.com21 Sep 2025

The decision to hike US H-1B visa application fee to $100,000, trade talks and the GST rate cut will be the key drivers for stock market movement this week, analysts said.

PVL: Mumbai Meteors breeze past Delhi Toofans

PVL: Mumbai Meteors breeze past Delhi Toofans

Rediff.com8 Oct 2025

Mumbai Meteors registered a 3-0 win in the Prime Volleyball League, defeating Delhi Toofans 15-12, 15-10, 15-11, in Hyderabad, on Wednesday.

Sensex down 174 points mirroring weak global trends

Sensex down 174 points mirroring weak global trends

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

Among Sensex firms, Tata Motors, Infosys, Hindustan Unilever, Power Grid, Bharat Electronics, ITC, UltraTech Cement and Tata Consultancy Services were the major laggards. However, Adani Ports, Bajaj Finance, Bajaj Finserv and Axis Bank were among the gainers.

Cognizant looks to break into top four IT services companies by 2027

Cognizant looks to break into top four IT services companies by 2027

Rediff.com28 Mar 2025

Cognizant has said it aims to be back among India's top four IT services companies by 2027 by improving revenue, market share, bagging large deals, and gradual margin expansion. The Nasdaq-listed company does a major part of its business in India, but has trailed peers such as Tata Consultancy Services and Accenture over the last few years as growth tapered, margins squeezed, and attrition soared.

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.

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.

Sensex, Nifty end in red on foreign fund outflows

Sensex, Nifty end in red on foreign fund outflows

Rediff.com18 Dec 2024

During the day, it tanked 634.38 points or 0.78 per cent to 80,050.07. The NSE Nifty declined 137.15 points or 0.56 per cent to 24,198.85. "The near-term market construct has turned weak, with FIIs turning sellers on rallies.

Factors that will drive the markets this week

Factors that will drive the markets this week

Rediff.com5 Oct 2025

Trading sentiment in the equity market will be guided by macroeconomic data announcements, global trends and quarterly earnings from IT major TCS this week, analysts said. Stock markets would also be tracking trading activity of foreign investors who remained net sellers of Indian equities in September.

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.

Gautam Singhania-backed SCCG seeks licence to restore foreign cars

Gautam Singhania-backed SCCG seeks licence to restore foreign cars

Rediff.com13 Jan 2025

Car restoration service provider Super Car Club Garage (SCCG), backed by Raymond chairman and managing director Gautam Singhania, has sought the Centre's green light for a licence to import foreign vehicles for restoration and subsequent re-export.

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.

Supreme Court: Pilot Not To Be Blamed For Air India Crash

Supreme Court: Pilot Not To Be Blamed For Air India Crash

Rediff.com7 Nov 2025

The Supreme Court on Friday said no one blamed the chief pilot of the Air India Dreamliner for the June 12 crash, which claimed 260 lives, and asked his 91-year-old father not to carry any emotional burden.

'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.

Waiting for muhurat? SC slams Assam over delay in deporting foreigners

Waiting for muhurat? SC slams Assam over delay in deporting foreigners

Rediff.com4 Feb 2025

The Supreme Court of India censured the Assam government for keeping persons declared foreigners in detention centers indefinitely and not deporting them. The court questioned the state's explanation for not sending nationality verification forms to the Ministry of External Affairs, stating that detainees should be deported immediately once identified as foreigners. The court directed the Assam government to initiate the deportation process of 63 declared foreign nationals whose nationality was known and file a status report in two weeks. The court also directed the Centre to provide details of those deported and how it plans to deal with detainees whose nationality is unknown.

Moody's retains India rating at 'Baa3', maintains 'stable' outlook

Moody's retains India rating at 'Baa3', maintains 'stable' outlook

Rediff.com29 Sep 2025

Global rating Moody's on Monday affirmed India's long-term local and foreign-currency issuer ratings and the local-currency senior unsecured rating at 'Baa3' with a 'stable' outlook on the back of robust economic growth and sound external position. The rating agency also affirmed India's other short-term local-currency rating at P-3.

Will Jaishankar continue to craft an assertive foreign policy?

Will Jaishankar continue to craft an assertive foreign policy?

Rediff.com9 Jun 2024

When S Jaishankar became India's external affairs minister in May 2019, he was largely considered a political lightweight despite his undisputed mastery over foreign policy.

'Israel Doesn't Want Pakistan To Have Nuclear Weapons'

'Israel Doesn't Want Pakistan To Have Nuclear Weapons'

Rediff.com12 Nov 2025

'If the Trump administration could gain access to the nuclear weapons, they would be satisfied -- at least they could control them.'

'Pak troops were unable to handle foreign drones'

'Pak troops were unable to handle foreign drones'

Rediff.com20 May 2025

The Indian Army used Medium Machine Guns (MMGs) to target Pakistani Army forward posts along the Line of Control (LoC), inflicting heavy casualties during a ceasefire violation on the intervening night of May 7-8.

RBI proposes to allow banks to fund acquisitions

RBI proposes to allow banks to fund acquisitions

Rediff.com25 Oct 2025

Banks will be able to give loans to Indian companies for acquiring the entire equity stake or a controlling part of it in domestic or foreign firms as strategic investment that creates long-term value rather than for short-term financial restructuring if the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) draft circular, issued on Friday, comes to fruition.

The foreign service has lost its Bhishma pitamaha

The foreign service has lost its Bhishma pitamaha

Rediff.com7 Feb 2012

Ambassador A K Damodaran was the last link between the freedom struggle and Indian diplomacy, the last of those, who walked from a British prison to take on national responsibilities.

Ola Electric rebuts LG tech leak claims

Ola Electric rebuts LG tech leak claims

Rediff.com10 Nov 2025

Ola Electric has denied media reports suggesting its involvement in a leak of proprietary pouch cell technology (tech) from South Korea's LG Energy Solution, calling the allegations "baseless". The company said it has no commercial or research interest in the older pouch cell format cited in the reports, emphasising that its new 4680 Bharat Cell - based on advanced dry-electrode cylindrical tech - is already in commercial production.

Will GST Rate Cuts Bring Back FPIs?

Will GST Rate Cuts Bring Back FPIs?

Rediff.com8 Sep 2025

Foreign portfolio investors sold stocks worth Rs 1.42 trillion in 2025, with their sales hitting Rs 12,257 crore in the first four trading days of September.

President Nominates Nikam, Shringla To Rajya Sabha

President Nominates Nikam, Shringla To Rajya Sabha

Rediff.com13 Jul 2025

Former foreign secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Special Public Prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam, Kerala BJP leader C Sadanandan Master and Delhi-based historian Meenakshi Jain have been nominated to the Rajya Sabha.

'Don't Consider Gold, Silver As Asset Classes'

'Don't Consider Gold, Silver As Asset Classes'

Rediff.com11 Nov 2025

'An asset must generate income. Equities yield dividends, bonds pay coupons, deposits give interest, and real estate earns rent.' 'Gold, silver, and even Bitcoin produce no income, they merely store value. So, they should not be compared to productive assets.'

Sensex sinks 425 points dragged by auto stocks, foreign fund outflows

Sensex sinks 425 points dragged by auto stocks, foreign fund outflows

Rediff.com21 Feb 2025

Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended lower on Friday, dragged by auto stocks and relentless foreign fund outflows. Weak US markets and tariff threats also dented investor sentiment. The 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex dropped 424.90 points or 0.56 per cent to settle at 75,311.06.

Sensex rises 314 pts on rebound in IT stocks

Sensex rises 314 pts on rebound in IT stocks

Rediff.com9 Sep 2025

Tech Mahindra, Adani Ports, HCL Tech, Tata Consultancy Services and Bajaj Finserv were also among the gainers. However, Trent, Eternal, UltraTech Cement and NTPC were among the laggards.

Trump admin faces lawsuit over H-1B visa fee hike

Trump admin faces lawsuit over H-1B visa fee hike

Rediff.com17 Oct 2025

The US Chamber of Commerce has filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration's decision to impose a USD 100,000 fee on new H-1B visa petitions, arguing it harms American innovation and competitiveness.