News for 'International and Public Affairs'

US-Taliban: A Package Deal?

US-Taliban: A Package Deal?

Rediff.com30 Aug 2021

The Biden administration expects the Modi government to continue to remain as its loyal camp follower even as Washington continues to act in self-interests, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Rebalancing India-China, The Sri Lanka Way

Rebalancing India-China, The Sri Lanka Way

Rediff.com14 Feb 2022

Colombo seems to be veering to the middle path between China and the US on global matters, but in regional matters of strategic security, it is increasingly identifying with India, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

What Kejriwal told students at Columbia

What Kejriwal told students at Columbia

Rediff.com9 Dec 2014

Taking a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal said that the MadisonSquareGarden congregation is not a sign of good foreign policy as prime ministers should not go abroad for "entertainment value" but hardcore diplomacy.

I do my job as BCCI chief; don't need to answer speculation: Ganguly

I do my job as BCCI chief; don't need to answer speculation: Ganguly

Rediff.com4 Feb 2022

The former India captain not just rejected the accusations thrown at him but also offered a gentle reminder to his critics -- much before becoming the BCCI boss, he was a celebrated India cricketer and played in a whopping 424 international matches -- 113 of them Tests.

Economist Surjit S Bhalla appointed as executive director for India at IMF

Economist Surjit S Bhalla appointed as executive director for India at IMF

Rediff.com1 Oct 2019

Bhalla will succeed former RBI deputy governor Subir Gokarn, who died in the US on July 30 after a brief illness.

India's dwindling circle of friends

India's dwindling circle of friends

Rediff.com23 Jun 2020

'India is now surrounded on its north, west and east by unfriendly neighbours -- Pakistan, China, Nepal and Bangladesh -- some of whom are openly inimical,' notes Amulya Ganguli.

Why US is bullying Sri Lanka

Why US is bullying Sri Lanka

Rediff.com21 Feb 2020

'Clearly, Washington has all but given up hope following US Acting Assistant Secretary of State Alice Wells's stormy visit to Colombo last month where she read the riot act to Sri Lankan leaders to sign the pending status of forces agreement allowing American troops to use Sri Lanka as a hub for operations in the Indian Ocean,' points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

India Must Be Prepared for the Taliban

India Must Be Prepared for the Taliban

Rediff.com10 Aug 2021

Robust military preparedness along the entire perimeter of our nation is the only iron-clad permanent guarantee for our security, asserts Vivek Gumaste.

Cong leaders raise concern over emergency vaccine nod

Cong leaders raise concern over emergency vaccine nod

Rediff.com4 Jan 2021

Senior Congress leader Anand Sharma on Sunday raised concerns over India's drugs regulator granting permission for restricted use of Bharat Biotech's COVID-19 vaccine and asked the government to explain why mandatory protocols and verification of data has been dispensed with.

Ashok Lavasa named as new ADB vice-president

Ashok Lavasa named as new ADB vice-president

Rediff.com15 Jul 2020

Lavasa, a career bureaucrat, joined as Election Commissioner on January 23, 2018, and being senior most on the poll panel would have become CEC in April next year after the term of incumbent Sunil Arora ends.

Harsh Vardhan Shringla takes charge as new foreign secretary

Harsh Vardhan Shringla takes charge as new foreign secretary

Rediff.com29 Jan 2020

Shringla last served as India's envoy to the US. He will be serving a two-year term. In the course of a diplomatic career spanning 35 years, Shringla has held a variety of positions in New Delhi and abroad, and is considered an expert on India's neighbourhood.

'Can't believe the world has abandoned Afghanistan'

'Can't believe the world has abandoned Afghanistan'

Rediff.com16 Aug 2021

'Our friends are going to get killed. Taliban are going to kill us. Our women are not going to have any more rights'

What if LTTE's Prabhakaran were alive...

What if LTTE's Prabhakaran were alive...

Rediff.com14 Feb 2023

The Indian authorities have to reconfirm that Prabhakaran is dead. It may require seeking assistance from Interpol and also involve the re-opening of the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case, and more so, the investigations, formally or otherwise, asserts N Sathiya Moorthy.

Obama nominates Indian American to key post at State Department

Obama nominates Indian American to key post at State Department

Rediff.com11 Sep 2013

Puneet Talwar, one of the most respected Middle East policy specialists in administration and Congressional circles, has been nominated by United States President Barack Obama to a senior State Department position.

'We started as a democracy, but have regressed to a banana republic'

'We started as a democracy, but have regressed to a banana republic'

Rediff.com25 Jan 2021

'Governments, democratically elected governments, are custodians for a short- specified time.' 'Parents don't let baby sitters decide the course of their child's future.'

US Wants To Be Friends With Taliban?

US Wants To Be Friends With Taliban?

Rediff.com4 Feb 2022

Regional States will be worried that the US's nascent engagement with the Taliban behind the fig leaf of humanitarian aid enables the return of US intelligence personnel to Afghanistan, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Indo-American Chamber slams new e-com rules

Indo-American Chamber slams new e-com rules

Rediff.com6 Jul 2021

The proposed amendments to the Consumer Protection (E-Commerce) Rules, 2020, that are envisioned to protect consumer interests, may further compound the impact of multiplicity of regulations on the e-commerce sector, the Indo-American Chamber of Commerce (IACC) had told the ministry of consumer affairs. IACC, the apex bilateral chamber for Indo-US business, had told the government that the proposed amendments would increase compliance liabilities that risk severely impairing the growth of the sector.

China listening, Jaishankar brings up territorial integrity at BRICS online meet

China listening, Jaishankar brings up territorial integrity at BRICS online meet

Rediff.com1 Jun 2021

The five-nation grouping BRICS on Tuesday resolved to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including the cross-border movement of terrorists, and vowed to step up joint efforts in building support for an India-backed global framework to effectively deal with the menace.

What is the cost of education in Singapore?

What is the cost of education in Singapore?

Rediff.com9 Jan 2020

Undergraduate courses indicatively cost S$23,000 to S$38,000, while postgraduate courses approximately cost S$15,000 to S$40,000.

Take time by the forelock in J-K

Take time by the forelock in J-K

Rediff.com20 Aug 2019

'If development, investment, employment, implementation, credibility and commitment are ensured, security will automatically improve and subversive and militant elements will lose ground and be neutralised by the people themselves,' says B S Raghavan, the distinguished civil servant.

Quad nations vow better cooperation to check Chinese influence

Quad nations vow better cooperation to check Chinese influence

Rediff.com6 Oct 2020

In his opening remarks at a ministerial meeting in Tokyo of the Quadrilateral coalition, also known as 'Quad', External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said India remained committed to a rules-based world order, respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, and peaceful resolution of disputes.

The bizarre tale of Cairn retro tax

The bizarre tale of Cairn retro tax

Rediff.com6 Mar 2022

The levy of retrospective tax on the UK's Cairn Energy Plc is a tale of bizarre twists and turns that saw its attached shares being sold in May 2018 amid the passing of the baton from a full-time finance minister to interim one and the talks at the highest level to resolve the dispute, to claims that levy of back taxes was a result of an investigation into Panama Papers leak. The government late last month refunded about Rs 7,900 crore it had collected from selling residual shares of the British firm in its erstwhile India unit, seizing dividend and withholding tax refunds, to settle an eight-year-old dispute that had tarred the country's reputation as an investment destination. But, this did not come about easily. For seven years, the establishment vehemently justified in courts and outside seeking of Rs 10,247 crore in back taxes plus interest and penalty from a firm that gave India its biggest onshore oil discovery.

US On Diplomacy Road With Taliban?

US On Diplomacy Road With Taliban?

Rediff.com29 Sep 2021

There is growing acceptance of the idea in the international community that engaging the Taliban government is a far better approach than ostracising it, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

When R K Krishna Kumar Spoke To Rediff

When R K Krishna Kumar Spoke To Rediff

Rediff.com2 Jan 2023

Few people know Ratan Tata as well as R K Krishna Kumar does. Widely perceived to be among the managers closest to Tata, Krishna Kumar assesses Ratan Tata, the man and business leader, in this exclusive interview to Rediff.com's Vaihayasi Pande Daniel.

Chess World Cup: Praggnanandhaa, Adhiban win

Chess World Cup: Praggnanandhaa, Adhiban win

Rediff.com16 Jul 2021

Indian Grandmasters Rameshbabu Praggnanandhaa and Adhiban Baskaran registered wins in the first game of the two-game mini match in the second round of the FIDE chess World Cup in Sochi on Thursday.

Panagariya blames bank officials for note ban going awry

Panagariya blames bank officials for note ban going awry

Rediff.com8 Feb 2017

"Demonetisation sends a very, very strong signal that the days when the central government was complacent are over. If you misbehave, it will be seen that you pay for it," Panagariya said.

Benzema trial to go ahead, Cisse's case sent back to judge

Benzema trial to go ahead, Cisse's case sent back to judge

Rediff.com16 Dec 2016

A French court rejected Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema's request to stop a trial over his alleged attempt to blackmail fellow French soccer international Mathieu Valbuena using a sex video, a judicial source said on Friday. The affair involved phone-recorded sex footage that could prove embarrassing for Valbuena, according to sources close to the inquiry. Benzema's name came up during phone taps in relation to the inquiry opened last July, police sources say.

Chintan Shivir: 'High on optics, low on delivery'

Chintan Shivir: 'High on optics, low on delivery'

Rediff.com16 May 2022

'It was disappointing on two counts. One is on the leadership issue and second is how the Congress must win elections.'

Nepal for talks to resolve border row, seeks review of friendship treaty

Nepal for talks to resolve border row, seeks review of friendship treaty

Rediff.com15 Jan 2021

In an address at the Indian Council of World Affairs, he said Nepal wants to take the relations with India to the next level, but at the same time added: "We should be mindful equally that healthy relations require continuous nurturing, creative thinking, promptness and readiness to understand each other in changing dynamics."

After Hagia Sophia, Turkey turns another museum into mosque

After Hagia Sophia, Turkey turns another museum into mosque

Rediff.com22 Aug 2020

In 1511 The Chora Church was converted into a mosque and in 1958 it was opened as a museum to the public.

BharatPe: 'Why should I resign?'

BharatPe: 'Why should I resign?'

Rediff.com12 Apr 2022

'At the first board meeting I chaired, I sensed that corporate governance is an issue in this company.' 'I started taking steps that may have aggrieved a few.' 'This has now become a mission I intend to accomplish before I step down.'

FRL independent directors threaten to 'expose' Amazon

FRL independent directors threaten to 'expose' Amazon

Rediff.com11 Nov 2021

Independent directors of Future Retail Ltd are collating information and will expose the details of contradiction and misrepresentation made by Amazon before the Competition Commission of India (CCI), said FRL independent director Ravindra Dhariwal. Speaking to PTI, Dhariwal said the independent directors are "collating" all the pieces of information together, going "deeper into each and every representation" which Amazon had made before the CCI and showing how its "intent was totally contradictory." "We are going out to point exactly to CCI, this is what they have told you and this is what the internal documents are saying. "We are going to expose the details of contradiction and details of misrepresentation, which they have made," Dhariwal said adding "We are going to show the true face of Amazon to the whole world". In November 2019, Amazon had acquired a 49 per cent stake in Future Coupons Pvt Ltd (FCPL), a company that holds a stake in FRL.

Terror attacks in JK see major drop after scrapping Article 370: Govt in LS

Terror attacks in JK see major drop after scrapping Article 370: Govt in LS

Rediff.com14 Dec 2021

The number of terror incidents in Jammu and Kashmir has shown significant decline since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, the Lok Sabha was informed on Tuesday.

No Haj for Indian pilgrims this year: Govt

No Haj for Indian pilgrims this year: Govt

Rediff.com23 Jun 2020

In a bid to control the coronavirus pandemic, Saudi Arabia said it has barred international visitors from making the Islamic pilgrimage.

B S Prakash: 'A good man left us well before time'

B S Prakash: 'A good man left us well before time'

Rediff.com5 Oct 2021

'Those who worked with him or came to know him rated him as one of our best, with a sharp intellect, unfailing courtesy and ready wit.' Ambassador T P Sreenivasan fondly remembers Ambassador B S Prakash, wonderful human being, unusual diplomat and long-time Rediff.com columnist, who passed away into the ages on Monday, October 4, 2021.

Why Sri Lanka Is In Crisis

Why Sri Lanka Is In Crisis

Rediff.com4 Apr 2022

The protests brought home the fact that the Sri Lankan public is in no mood for halfway measures, as voices against Rajapaksa 'family rule' and 'securitisation' of the civilian administration began sidestepping the more critical economic crisis, affecting the nation and afflicting the individual, observes Sri Lanka watcher N Sathiya Moorthy.

Shah gets Home, Rajnath Defence; Finance with Nirmala

Shah gets Home, Rajnath Defence; Finance with Nirmala

Rediff.com1 Jun 2019

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will retain DoPT, Atomic Energy as well as all important policy issues and portfolios not allocated.

Citibank likely to hive off consumer banking business in India

Citibank likely to hive off consumer banking business in India

Rediff.com8 Mar 2021

In India, it is not easy to fight it out with the large banks which are nimble-footed and technology-savvy and are continuously innovating on the retail turf with newer products for customer acquisition.

Next week British MPs will debate India's press freedom, protestors' safety

Next week British MPs will debate India's press freedom, protestors' safety

Rediff.com3 Mar 2021

British lawmakers will debate the issue of press freedom and safety of protesters in India next Monday in response to an e-petition which had crossed the 100,000-signature threshold required for such a debate, the House of Commons Petitions Committee confirmed on Wednesday.

India slams US body for politicising Delhi violence

India slams US body for politicising Delhi violence

Rediff.com27 Feb 2020

Though MEA did not clarify the individuals being referred to, it is being seen as a reference to US lawmakers critical of India on the issue of the Delhi violence.