News for 'Indian Foreign Service'

AI plane crash death toll hits 270 as families wait for bodies

AI plane crash death toll hits 270 as families wait for bodies

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

The process of identification of victims by matching the DNA samples is currently underway, and the bodies will be handed over to their relatives once the process is complete.

Operation Sindoor: 300 flights cancelled, 25 airports shut

Operation Sindoor: 300 flights cancelled, 25 airports shut

Rediff.com7 May 2025

More than 300 flights have been cancelled and at least 25 airports, including Srinagar, have been temporarily shut for operations amid restrictions in the wake of the armed forces launching missile attacks on terror targets in Pakistan on Wednesday morning.

Quota fraud: Puja Khedkar sacked from IAS with immediate effect

Quota fraud: Puja Khedkar sacked from IAS with immediate effect

Rediff.com8 Sep 2024

Khedkar, who was from the 2023 batch, has been accused of cheating and wrongly availing Other Backward Classes and disability quota benefits to ensure her selection in the government service.

Civil services (main) exam as per schedule on Friday: UPSC

Civil services (main) exam as per schedule on Friday: UPSC

Rediff.com5 Jan 2022

The UPSC has asked the state governments to ensure that no inconvenience is caused to the candidates and examination functionaries in their movement.

FPI inflows into Indian equities drop sharply in 2024; rebound anticipated in 2025

FPI inflows into Indian equities drop sharply in 2024; rebound anticipated in 2025

Rediff.com25 Dec 2024

After a robust 2023, foreign investors significantly scaled back their investments in Indian equities in 2024, with net inflows amounting to over Rs 5,000 crore, as elevated domestic valuations, coupled with geopolitical uncertainties prompted investors to adopt a more cautious stance. Looking ahead to 2025, FPI flows into Indian equities could see a recovery, supported by a cyclical upswing in corporate earnings, particularly in domestic-oriented sectors like capital goods, manufacturing, and infrastructure, Vinit Bolinjkar, head of research, Ventura Securities, said.

Pak PM holds high-level meet to discuss India's response

Pak PM holds high-level meet to discuss India's response

Rediff.com24 Apr 2025

Pakistan is holding a high-level security meeting to formulate a response to India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty and downgrading of diplomatic ties. The meeting, convened by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, will include the National Security Committee, three services chiefs, and key ministers. The move comes after India blamed Pakistan for a terror attack in Pahalgam, which Pakistan has denied. Diplomatic observers warn that the escalation could further strain relations between the two countries.

US, UK call for calm amid heightened India-Pak tensions

US, UK call for calm amid heightened India-Pak tensions

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

Amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan, the US has called on both countries "not to escalate" the conflict. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to speak with the foreign ministers of Pakistan and India as early as today or tomorrow. The US State Department said Washington is reaching out to both India and Pakistan "regarding the Kashmir situation" and telling them "not to escalate the situation."

No Digital Data Protection Act Change Likely

No Digital Data Protection Act Change Likely

Rediff.com7 Apr 2025

The "construct of the DPDP Act" cannot be changed at this stage, though there may be some minor tweaks in the language of the Rules and formats in certain legitimate cases.

IAF martyr's parents feel 'ignored', seek policy change

IAF martyr's parents feel 'ignored', seek policy change

Rediff.com10 Apr 2025

The parents of Squadron Leader Abhimanyu Rai, an IAF pilot who died in a trainer jet crash in December 2023, have expressed their anguish over being ignored for entitlements and honours that were given to their daughter-in-law. They believe the government policy should be revised to include parents of martyred soldiers. Group Captain Amitabh Rai (retd) and his wife Chitralekha, the bereaved parents, say they have received no condolences from the government despite losing their only son. They argue that the current policy unfairly favors the martyr's wife, often leading to neglect of the parents. The Rais claim their son's death is not being recognized as a "battle casualty" and therefore he is not being treated as a martyr. They also raise concerns about the pressure on IAF trainers to complete training programs successfully, even when cadets are not prepared, potentially endangering both the trainer and the cadet.

LIC Hits Back At USTR Bias Claim

LIC Hits Back At USTR Bias Claim

Rediff.com5 Apr 2025

LIC said USTR's views are based on an incomplete understanding of Indian insurance regulation and LIC's functioning.

Factors that will drive the markets this week

Factors that will drive the markets this week

Rediff.com20 Apr 2025

Trading sentiment in the equity market will largely be driven by domestic corporate quarterly earnings, any update related to US tariffs and foreign fund movements this week, analysts said. Investors would also focus on world market trends, movement of global oil benchmark Brent crude and the rupee-dollar trend for further cues, experts noted.

'Difficult To Trust Yunus Govt In Dhaka'

'Difficult To Trust Yunus Govt In Dhaka'

Rediff.com4 Apr 2025

'It was the hostility of the Yunus regime that made India careful and wary of dealing with them.' 'They gradually backed off and lowered the noise, but the damage was done.' 'Their true colours had been exposed.'

FPIs pulled out Rs 10,355 cr from equities in last four trading sessions

FPIs pulled out Rs 10,355 cr from equities in last four trading sessions

Rediff.com6 Apr 2025

Foreign investors withdrew Rs 10,355 crore from the country's equity markets in the last four trading sessions this month due to sweeping tariffs imposed by the US on most nations, including India. The outflow occurred after a net investment of Rs 30,927 crore in the six trading sessions from March 21 to March 28. This infusion helped reduce the overall outflow for March to Rs 3,973 crore, according to data from the depositories.

FPIs withdraw record Rs 94,000 cr from Indian equities in Oct

FPIs withdraw record Rs 94,000 cr from Indian equities in Oct

Rediff.com3 Nov 2024

Foreign investors pulled out a massive Rs 94,000 crore (around $11.2 billion) from the Indian stock market in October, making it the worst-ever month in terms of outflows, triggered by the elevated valuation of domestic equities and attractive valuations of Chinese stocks. Before this, foreign portfolio investors (FPIs) withdrew Rs 61,973 crore from equities in March 2020. The latest outflow came after a nine-month high investment of Rs 57,724 crore in September 2024.

How To Study Part-Time At Govt Law College, Mumbai

How To Study Part-Time At Govt Law College, Mumbai

Rediff.com8 Apr 2025

The Government Law College, Mumbai, is inviting applications for its one year part-time Diploma Course in Securities Laws 2025-26.

HSBC downgrades Indian stock markets to 'neutral' from 'overweight' for 2025

HSBC downgrades Indian stock markets to 'neutral' from 'overweight' for 2025

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

As India faces slowing economic growth, HSBC Global Research has downgraded the Indian stock market outlook from "overweight" to "neutral". In a report, the global financial services firm said profits at India Inc appeared to have softened while valuations are elevated. After annualized growth of 25 per cent in recent years, profits appear to have softened while valuations are elevated at 23x forward earnings.

Sensex jumps 899 pts, Nifty reclaims 23K

Sensex jumps 899 pts, Nifty reclaims 23K

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

From the Sensex pack, Bharti Airtel, Titan, Tata Consultancy Services, Hindustan Unilever, Infosys, Nestle, Reliance Industries, Mahindra & Mahindra, HDFC Bank and Tata Motors were the biggest gainers. However, IndusInd Bank, Bajaj Finance and UltraTech Cement were the laggards.

What Indian taxpayers want from CBDT

What Indian taxpayers want from CBDT

Rediff.com2 Feb 2025

An Income-Tax Department internal committee reviewing the old direct tax law to pave the way for a new one has "largely" received suggestions for "simplifying" the language, better "structuring" the provisions and enlarging the ambit of schemes like presumptive taxation, CBDT chairman Ravi Agrawal said Sunday. Speaking to PTI during a post-Budget interview at his North Block office, Agrawal said the panel also "studied" the deliberations and processes of countries like the UK, Australia and some others where a similar tax law simplification exercise was undertaken.

Pak shelling toll rises to 7 in J-K, more than 25 hurt

Pak shelling toll rises to 7 in J-K, more than 25 hurt

Rediff.com11 May 2025

The casualties were reported hours before India and Pakistan agreed to end hostilities, which soared after the Indian Armed Forces hit terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir earlier this week in response to the Pahalgam attack.

191 Pak nationals return home after India sets 48-hour deadline

191 Pak nationals return home after India sets 48-hour deadline

Rediff.com26 Apr 2025

Following a deadly terror attack in Pahalgam, India has ordered all Pakistani nationals to leave the country within 48 hours. This has led to a mass exodus of Pakistani citizens from India, while several women married to Pakistani nationals and holding Indian passports are facing difficulties returning to their families in Pakistan.

Canadian MP Chandra Arya's leadership bid revoked over India ties

Canadian MP Chandra Arya's leadership bid revoked over India ties

Rediff.com27 Mar 2025

Canada's Liberal Party has revoked Indian-origin MP Chandra Arya's bid to run for the party leadership and his nomination in his own Ottawa Nepean constituency over alleged ties to the Indian government. Citing a source with top-secret clearance, the Globe and Mail daily reported that Arya, who visited India last August and met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, had not informed the government of that trip even though bilateral relations are in a deep freeze. The Liberals have never revealed why they barred the three-term Liberal MP from the party's recent leadership race or from running again in Nepean constituency. The Canadian Security Intelligence Service had briefed the government about Arya's "alleged close ties to the government of India, including its High Commission in Ottawa". Arya has rejected the allegations and believes he was removed because of his stance against the Sikh Khalistani movement in Canada.

Kerala: The Puzzled Book Of Questions

Kerala: The Puzzled Book Of Questions

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

Can a culture survive as a way of life, even as the language and writing at its core, alter with time? Can we be rational and Malayalee or do we have to necessarily be religious and proudly cultural to be Malayalee? asks Shyam G Menon.

Operation Sindoor: The Precision Of Surprise

Operation Sindoor: The Precision Of Surprise

Rediff.com16 May 2025

'You can be sure that the Pakistanis knew when the Indian Air Force aircraft took off, which type these were, and what their likely targets were.' 'The question was: How would they determine that the IAF wanted to fire, and when to bounce them?', notes Shekhar Gupta.

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Factors that will guide the markets this week

Rediff.com13 Apr 2025

Stock markets will be driven by further developments on the US-China tariff war front along with quarterly earnings announcements from IT majors Wipro and Infosys in a holiday-shortened week, analysts said. Global market trends and trading activity of foreign investors would also dictate market movement this week, experts noted.

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

The US Trade Representative noted that India's average applied tariff rate stood at 17% per cent, the highest of any major world economy.

'It's Time To Target The Terror Masterminds'

'It's Time To Target The Terror Masterminds'

Rediff.com7 May 2025

'We should not just react when a terror attack happens on our soil.' 'Our approach should be continuous and a launch pad should be destroyed the moment it comes up.'

FPIs withdraw Rs 85,790 cr from Indian equities in Oct

FPIs withdraw Rs 85,790 cr from Indian equities in Oct

Rediff.com28 Oct 2024

Foreign investors have continued selling in the Indian market, pulling out a massive Rs 85,790 crore (around $10.2 billion) from equities this month due to Chinese stimulus measures, attractive stock valuations, and the elevated pricing of domestic equities. October is turning into the worst-ever month in terms of foreign fund outflows. In March 2020, FPIs withdrew Rs 61,973 crore from equities.

Evera Cabs bets on BluSmart EVs to drive Rs 100 crore revenue in FY26

Evera Cabs bets on BluSmart EVs to drive Rs 100 crore revenue in FY26

Rediff.com8 May 2025

Delhi-based electric vehicle (EV) ride-hailing firm Evera Cabs, which grabbed headlines after acquiring 500 cars from the now-defunct cab service BluSmart, is stepping up its presence in the EV cab segment. The company is aiming for revenue of Rs 100 crore in the ongoing financial year (2025-26), up from Rs 18 crore in 2024-25.

'Biggest Worry Should Be Pakistan'

'Biggest Worry Should Be Pakistan'

Rediff.com12 May 2025

'Right now, we have no relationship with Pakistan. And the relationship with China is not great.'

How the markets will fare this week

How the markets will fare this week

Rediff.com2 Mar 2025

Equity markets will take cues from the US tariff related developments, global trends and trading activity of foreign investors this week, analysts said.

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.

FPIs pull out Rs 24,753 cr from equities in first week of Mar

FPIs pull out Rs 24,753 cr from equities in first week of Mar

Rediff.com9 Mar 2025

Foreign investors continue to pull back money from the Indian equity market, withdrawing Rs 24,753 crore (about $2.8 billion) in the first week of March amid escalating global trade tensions and lacklustre corporate earnings.

Pahalgam attack: India reaches out to non-permanent UNSC members

Pahalgam attack: India reaches out to non-permanent UNSC members

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

India has reached out to Denmark and other non-permanent members of the UN Security Council to apprise them of the Pahalgam terror attack and its cross-border linkages. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has spoken to his counterparts from several nations, conveying India's resolve to bring the perpetrators to justice. The outreach comes as India mulls options for responding to the attack, with Prime Minister Modi assuring the harshest response for the "perpetrators and conspirators." India has also received condolences and condemnations from world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron.

Why Nifty tanked over 14% from its record peak

Why Nifty tanked over 14% from its record peak

Rediff.com26 Feb 2025

Equity benchmark indices are facing massive corrections, with the NSE Nifty declining over 14 per cent from its lifetime high hit in September last year due to several negative triggers like stretched valuations, foreign fund exodus, disappointing quarterly earnings and rising global trade tensions dragging markets lower. The BSE benchmark Sensex hit its record peak of 85,978.25 on September 27 last year, and the Nifty also reached a lifetime high of 26,277.35 on the same day.

FPIs' incessant selling continues; withdraw Rs 7,300 cr

FPIs' incessant selling continues; withdraw Rs 7,300 cr

Rediff.com9 Feb 2025

The exodus of FPIs from the Indian equity markets continued unabated, as they withdrew over Rs 7,300 crore (about $840 million) in the first week of this month due to global trade tensions, with the US imposing tariffs on countries such as Canada, Mexico, and China. This came following an outflow of Rs 78,027 crore in the entire January. Before that, they invested Rs 15,446 crore in December, data with the depositories showed.

Modi's Media Triumph With Uncertain Returns

Modi's Media Triumph With Uncertain Returns

Rediff.com20 Mar 2025

'Unsurprisingly, Trump shared Modi's podcast with Fridman on his Truth account.' 'The intentions of Trump, a transactional president, are never easy to tell.' 'We will know in the next fortnight if and when he unfolds reciprocal tariffs on Indian goods, whether Modi's flattering words made any significant difference to Trump's compass,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

FPIs withdraw Rs 22,194 crore in Jan

FPIs withdraw Rs 22,194 crore in Jan

Rediff.com12 Jan 2025

Foreign investors have withdrawn Rs 22,194 crore from Indian equities this month, driven by expectations of a weak earnings season, a steady rise in the US dollar, and concerns over tariff war during Donald Trump's presidency. This came following an investment of Rs 15,446 crore in the month of December, data with the depositories showed.

Govt picks Tharoor to lead Op Sindoor delegation to US; Cong fumes

Govt picks Tharoor to lead Op Sindoor delegation to US; Cong fumes

Rediff.com17 May 2025

The government will send seven all-party delegations to key partner countries, including members of the United Nations Security Council, later this month to convey India's message of zero tolerance against terrorism following the Pahalgam terror attack and Operation Sindoor.

The Diplomat Review: John Abraham Plays It Safe

The Diplomat Review: John Abraham Plays It Safe

Rediff.com14 Mar 2025

The possibilities of this serviceable thriller are immense but the makers prefer to play it safe and hold back the daredevil in the diplomat's clothing, observes Sukanya Verma.

How the markets will fare this week

How the markets will fare this week

Rediff.com16 Mar 2025

The US Fed interest rate decision, global trends, tariff-related developments and trading activity of foreign investors will drive the equity market movement this week, analysts said. Among macroeconomic data announcement, WPI inflation for February is scheduled to be announced on Monday.