News for 'Indian Foreign Service'

Ulajh Review: Diplomatic Doldrums

Ulajh Review: Diplomatic Doldrums

Rediff.com2 Aug 2024

Ulajh strikes you as an attempt at statement-making gone horribly wrong, a punchline that doesn't land, a roar that never reaches the ear, observes Sreehari Nair.

PhonePe first Indian fintech player to allow UPI payments abroad

PhonePe first Indian fintech player to allow UPI payments abroad

Rediff.com8 Feb 2023

PhonePe said on Tuesday it has launched a service that will allow the fintech firm's Indian users traveling abroad to pay foreign merchants using Unified Payments Interface (UPI). 'UPI international' supports merchant outlets in UAE, Singapore, Mauritius, Nepal and Bhutan that have a local QR (quick response) code. Users will be able to make direct payments in a foreign currency from their Indian bank, like they do with international debit cards.

Investors become poorer by Rs 9.51 lakh cr as markets crash

Investors become poorer by Rs 9.51 lakh cr as markets crash

Rediff.com5 Aug 2024

Investors' wealth eroded by Rs 9.51 lakh crore on Monday morning, following a crash in equity markets where the benchmark Sensex tanked over 2,400 points, mirroring a sharp plunge in global peers. The 30-share BSE benchmark tanked 2,401.49 points to 78,580.46 in early trade. Following the sharp decline in equities, the market capitalisation of BSE-listed firms dropped by Rs 9,51,771.37 crore to Rs 4,47,65,174.76 crore ($5.35 trillion) during the morning trade.

A Serendipitous Civil Service Career

A Serendipitous Civil Service Career

Rediff.com22 Dec 2022

Every twist and turn in KMC's civil service career is attributed to serendipity, an aptitude for making desirable discoveries by accident. He plays down his capabilities, which took him to the top of the civil service as the Cabinet Secretary or his misfortune in losing a daughter in her prime and suggests that his career was indeed serendipitous, observes Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Sensex breaches 81K, Nifty scales 24,800 peak

Sensex breaches 81K, Nifty scales 24,800 peak

Rediff.com18 Jul 2024

Bajaj Finserv, Infosys, Mahindra & Mahindra, Tech Mahindra, Hindustan Unilever, State Bank of India and HCL Technologies were the biggest gainers. On the contrary, Asian Paints, JSW Steel, NTPC and Adani Ports were among the laggards.

India records 0.6% current account surplus in Q4

India records 0.6% current account surplus in Q4

Rediff.com24 Jun 2024

India recorded a current account surplus of $5.7 billion or 0.6 per cent of GDP in the March quarter, the Reserve Bank of India said on Monday. This is the first time in ten quarters that the crucial metric of the country's external strength has turned into surplus mode. In the year-ago period, the current account deficit stood at $1.3 billion or 0.2 per cent of GDP, and the same was $8.7 billion or 1 per cent of GDP in the preceding quarter ending December 2023.

Will Modi Achieve A Cease Fire In Ukraine?

Will Modi Achieve A Cease Fire In Ukraine?

Rediff.com21 Aug 2024

Ukraine is currently in the middle of a strategic offensive into Russia's Kursk region.

Qatar court commutes death sentences of 8 Indian Navy veterans

Qatar court commutes death sentences of 8 Indian Navy veterans

Rediff.com28 Dec 2023

In a huge relief, an appellate court in Qatar has commuted the death sentence of eight former Indian Navy personnel, arrested in an alleged case of espionage in August 2022.

Saurabh Netravalkar And The H-1B Dream

Saurabh Netravalkar And The H-1B Dream

Rediff.com11 Jul 2024

The US needs to understand that it could potentially lose out on attracting several Netravalkars in the future if it curbs the influx of such industrious Indian immigrants, argues Vishal Menon.

Inspiring! These Women Followed Their Dreams!

Inspiring! These Women Followed Their Dreams!

Rediff.com7 Mar 2024

As we celebrate women achievers who are excelling in their careers, here are incredible tales of hard work and perseverance to inspire you this week.

Rules amended, babus can now retain gifts from foreign dignitaries

Rules amended, babus can now retain gifts from foreign dignitaries

Rediff.com21 Sep 2021

The Centre has amended an over-50-year-old rule to allow IAS, IPS and IFoS officers to retain gifts received from foreign dignitaries while being members of the Indian delegation, according to an official order.

'India Needs More Than 2 Airlines'

'India Needs More Than 2 Airlines'

Rediff.com6 Aug 2024

'Just look at China: They have five or six major airlines and some smaller ones.'

South Asia: It Is Climate Change, Stupid

South Asia: It Is Climate Change, Stupid

Rediff.com21 Sep 2024

India should encourage the second coming of SAARC with climate change as an urgent agenda and keeping Indian security concerns in mind as the subtext, suggest Lieutenant General Ashok Joshi (retd) and Colonel Anil Athale (retd).

Foreign Secretary may improve India-China ties

Foreign Secretary may improve India-China ties

Rediff.com31 Jan 2018

'Vijay Gokhale's appointment as foreign secretary can be regarded as a certain 'adjustment' that could make a difference to the poor climate of India-China relations,' says Ambassdor M K Bhadrakumar.

Time Modi Connects With Kamala Harris

Time Modi Connects With Kamala Harris

Rediff.com20 Sep 2024

Over the years, India has enjoyed bipartisan support in the US and this asset must be kept intact and nurtured through across the board political and civil society engagement, suggests former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Is Biden Using Trudeau To Get Back At Modi?

Is Biden Using Trudeau To Get Back At Modi?

Rediff.com25 Sep 2023

Once the Canadian investigation runs its course, Ottawa may put on the public domain further accusations passing for "evidence" -- and that could happen at some point closer to our general election. All in all, the big question is, what is it that the US is really up to, asks Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

'Always Treat China With Caution'

'Always Treat China With Caution'

Rediff.com7 Nov 2024

'Given China's past behaviour and their territorial claims, should we be sceptical regarding China's willingness to adhere to these agreements fully? The answer is yes.' 'As Ronald Reagan famously said in the context of the SALT talks, 'Trust, but verify!' India should also do the same.' 'This has already begun with foot patrolling, drones, satellite imagery and so on. India's military deployment did mirror China's and will continue to do so in the future.'

BFSI sector valuation discount at new high

BFSI sector valuation discount at new high

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

Companies in the banking, finance sector and insurance (BFSI) sector have underperformed on the bourses despite leading the earnings growth charts in the post-pandemic period. This has created a dichotomy between their earnings and share prices. BFSI companies have never been less expensive than the rest of the equity market.

India The Diplomatic Ambassador In Global Crises

India The Diplomatic Ambassador In Global Crises

Rediff.com16 Sep 2024

Times have changed, situations have changed, but the basic nature of superpower geo-politics remains the same and so also India's diplomacy -- call it non-alignment, strategic autonomy or neutrality; it all depends on the time scale, notes Rup Narayan Das.

How Moscow transformed this IFS officer into a poet-artist

How Moscow transformed this IFS officer into a poet-artist

Rediff.com17 Nov 2011

Poet, artist and award-winning diplomat Abhay K whose sixth book Candling the Light was released recently at the Sahitya Akademi in New Delhi tells Rediff about his life in the Indian Foreign Service and how he maintains a balance between his career and creative life.

How the markets will fare this week

How the markets will fare this week

Rediff.com7 Apr 2024

Global trends, macroeconomic data announcements and the start of the earnings season would be the major drivers for the equity markets in a holiday-shortened week, analysts said. Equity markets will remain closed on Thursday for Eid-Ul-Fitr. Trading activity of foreign investors, rupee-dollar trends and crude oil prices would also guide trends in markets.

India Needs A National Security Strategy

India Needs A National Security Strategy

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

The National Security Strategy document should flag all major issues concerning security strategy and provide guidelines to concerned departments to work out suitable action plans. Since the global and regional geopolitical canvas is dynamic, the NSS document should be deliberated at length before formulation and should be reviewed periodically, recommends Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

UPSC to act against 2 for falsely claiming selection in IAS

UPSC to act against 2 for falsely claiming selection in IAS

Rediff.com26 May 2023

The case relates to Aysha Makrani (from Madhya Pradesh) and Tushar (from Haryana) who fraudulently claimed that they have been finally recommended by the Commission in the civil services examination 2022 against two roll numbers of genuinely recommended candidates, it said.

India's new foreign secretary: A firebrand and go-getter

India's new foreign secretary: A firebrand and go-getter

Rediff.com5 Jul 2013

Sujatha Singh stands for the right values and quite simply, she's a "good person" who understands complex economic issues thoroughly, say her friends.

Sensex, Nifty settle lower after hitting record highs

Sensex, Nifty settle lower after hitting record highs

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

Benchmark equity indices Sensex and Nifty ended lower on Monday after hitting their all-time high levels in early trade amid selling in blue-chip IT stocks and HDFC Bank. After breaching the 77,000-mark during the early trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex came under selling pressure at the fag-end of the session and ended 203.28 points or 0.27 per cent lower at 76,490.08. During the day, the benchmark jumped 385.68 points or 0.50 per cent to hit a new record of 77,079.04.

Is Lok Sabha Poll Impacting Markets?

Is Lok Sabha Poll Impacting Markets?

Rediff.com14 May 2024

'It is advisable to stay away from the markets for now and buy only on a dip.'

Sensex closes flat, Nifty slips on profit taking

Sensex closes flat, Nifty slips on profit taking

Rediff.com6 May 2024

From the Sensex basket, Kotak Mahindra Bank jumped 5 per cent after the company reported a 25 per cent growth in its March quarter net profit at Rs 5,302 crore, limited by a drop in the core income due to narrow interest margins. Tata Consultancy Services, Hindustan Unilever, Mahindra & Mahindra, Sun Pharma, Tech Mahindra and IndusInd Bank were among the other major gainers. Titan tanked 7 per cent after its March quarter earnings failed to cheer investors.

Indian envoy to US Sarna meets Trump in Oval Office

Indian envoy to US Sarna meets Trump in Oval Office

Rediff.com26 Feb 2017

This was the first meeting of the top Indian diplomat with Trump after he was sworn in as the US President on January 20.

Taranjit Singh Sandhu appointed India's ambassador to US

Taranjit Singh Sandhu appointed India's ambassador to US

Rediff.com28 Jan 2020

Sandhu, a 1988-batch Indian Foreign Service officer, is currently posted as high commissioner of India in Sri Lanka.

CAD may dip in Q4 as net exports hit 11-quarter high

CAD may dip in Q4 as net exports hit 11-quarter high

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

India's current account deficit (CAD) may dip further in the March quarter of FY24 as pressure from the negative net exports during the January-March period eased to an 11-quarter high. A part of the gross domestic product (GDP) data, net export- which is usually negative for India - captures the difference between exports and imports of both goods and services, while the CAD data, released by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), also factors in private transfer receipts.

Exports up 9% in May; trade deficit widens to 7-month high

Exports up 9% in May; trade deficit widens to 7-month high

Rediff.com14 Jun 2024

India's merchandise exports rose by 9.1 per cent to $38.13 billion in May even as the trade deficit widened to a seven-month high of $23.78 billion during the month, according to government data. Healthy growth in sectors, such as engineering, electronics, pharmaceuticals, textiles and plastics helped register growth in exports despite global economic uncertainties.

Will Nirmalaji Cheer The Markets?

Will Nirmalaji Cheer The Markets?

Rediff.com17 Jul 2024

'We are confident that over the next few years the government will strike a fine balance between populist measures and growth, and manage coalition partners well.'

Sensex climbs over 560 points; Nifty tops 22,300-level

Sensex climbs over 560 points; Nifty tops 22,300-level

Rediff.com22 Apr 2024

From the Sensex basket, Larsen & Toubro, Bajaj Finance, Axis Bank, State Bank of India, UltraTech Cement, Wipro, ICICI Bank, Infosys, HCL Technologies and Asian Paints were the major gainers. NTPC, JSW Steel and HDFC Bank were the laggards.

Be patient: Govt to protesting civil services aspirants

Be patient: Govt to protesting civil services aspirants

Rediff.com25 Jul 2014

The government appealed to protesting Civil Services aspirants to be "patient" and said it would not tolerate any injustice to them on the basis of language.

Meet Sub-Lt Anamika, Navy's first woman helicopter pilot

Meet Sub-Lt Anamika, Navy's first woman helicopter pilot

Rediff.com8 Jun 2024

In another feat, Lt Jamyang Tsewang, the first commissioned naval officer from Ladakh, also successfully graduated as a qualified helicopter pilot, according to the Indian Navy.

Foreign investors bullish on Indian markets

Foreign investors bullish on Indian markets

Rediff.com21 Sep 2015

Sebi's new FPI regulation has helped attract new capital pool, up registrations.

Hasina's UK travel plans hit roadblock, to stay in India

Hasina's UK travel plans hit roadblock, to stay in India

Rediff.com6 Aug 2024

Hasina was set to travel to London from India but is now contemplating other options after the British government indicated she may not get legal protection in the UK against any possible investigation, they said.

India's New Trilemma

India's New Trilemma

Rediff.com9 Jul 2024

...Kids, jobs, emigration, notes Ajit Balakrishnan.

'Gandhiji Gave Me Contentment'

'Gandhiji Gave Me Contentment'

Rediff.com2 Oct 2024

Gandhiji asked me if I had sufficient warm clothes in view of the coming cold season. I said yes. But he verified my statement by asking Miraben to search my bag to make sure. Such was Gandhiji.

Ernest replaces Dogra as Indian envoy to NZ

Ernest replaces Dogra as Indian envoy to NZ

Rediff.com19 Apr 2006

Dogra had indicated that he would return to India by the first week of April. Later, he said he would return by April 15 but did not adhere to his own schedule.