News for 'Middle East Policy'

Can India do a Palestine in Kashmir?

Can India do a Palestine in Kashmir?

Rediff.com30 Nov 2019

'The heart of the matter is that India is not Israel.'

Sanctions on India for Russia deal 'extraordinarily foolhardy': US senator

Sanctions on India for Russia deal 'extraordinarily foolhardy': US senator

Rediff.com8 Mar 2022

'There are reports that the Biden administration is contemplating imposing CAATSA sanctions against India, the largest democracy on Earth'

RBI pegs Q4 retail inflation at 6.5%

RBI pegs Q4 retail inflation at 6.5%

Rediff.com6 Feb 2020

On food inflation, RBI said it is likely to soften from the high levels registered in December and the decline is expected to become more pronounced during the fourth quarter of this fiscal as onion prices ease following arrivals of late kharif and rabi harvests.

How an Iran-US war could affect Pakistan

How an Iran-US war could affect Pakistan

Rediff.com6 Jan 2020

'The bigger challenge and dilemma for Pakistan would be if the US and Saudi Arabia go full throttle against Iran and enforce regime change in Tehran.' 'That would be bad news for Pakistan, especially with the current instability in Balochistan,' notes Brigadier Narender Kumar (retd).

Obama warns of new terror safe havens in Pakistan

Obama warns of new terror safe havens in Pakistan

Rediff.com13 Jan 2016

The US president said America's foreign policy must be focused on the threat from IS and Al Qaeda.

Biggest challenge of 2014: The future of the India-US alliance

Biggest challenge of 2014: The future of the India-US alliance

Rediff.com10 Jan 2014

'India-US relations seem to have soured when the US expected India to not only balance China in the Asia-Pacific, but also make concessions to Pakistan as a price for US technological help,' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

No Time To Lose On Afghanistan

No Time To Lose On Afghanistan

Rediff.com21 Sep 2021

The key is to act and not wait and watch before the limited window of opportunity shuts, argues Shanthie Mariet D'Souza.

Melbourne is frying others but Federer's unapologetic about his sched

Melbourne is frying others but Federer's unapologetic about his sched

Rediff.com19 Jan 2018

Players complained about the conditions, with France's Alize Cornet stating extreme the heat policy could be endangering the safety of players, this, after she suffered dizzy spells during her third round match against Elise Mertens on Friday.

Follow 'Israeli model' to settle Kashmiri Pandits: Indian diplomat

Follow 'Israeli model' to settle Kashmiri Pandits: Indian diplomat

Rediff.com28 Nov 2019

His remarks sparked a controversy with Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan targeting the Indian government over its Kashmir policy.

Pakistan is playing with fire

Pakistan is playing with fire

Rediff.com13 Aug 2020

'By annoying the Arabs and cozying up to Iran, Pakistan may end up losing Arab economic support, annoying the Americans and increase Shia-Sunni tensions domestically,' Colonel Anil A Athale (retd) points out.

Gulf migrant workers will be biggest victims of oil shock

Gulf migrant workers will be biggest victims of oil shock

Rediff.com23 Mar 2016

Saudi Arabia relies more heavily on migrant labour than any other large country.

Desi diplomat to assist US secretary Nisha Desai Biswal

Desi diplomat to assist US secretary Nisha Desai Biswal

Rediff.com18 Nov 2013

Atul Keshap, a senior Indian American career diplomat and one of the rising stars in the United States foreign service, has been picked by Nisha Desai Biswal, the newly appointed assistant secretary of state for South and Central Asian affairs, to be her deputy.

LBGT people in Qatar prepare cautiously for World Cup

LBGT people in Qatar prepare cautiously for World Cup

Rediff.com19 Nov 2022

Gay people living under radar in Qatar prepare warily for World Cup

Can G7 Decoupling From China Boost India?

Can G7 Decoupling From China Boost India?

Rediff.com29 May 2023

Indian policymakers are almost alone, alongside the United States, in seeking a hard and multi-sectoral global decoupling from China in the expectation that it will boost their economies, observes Mihir S Sharma.

Saudis include Pakistan in 34-nation military bloc, but Islamabad has no idea

Saudis include Pakistan in 34-nation military bloc, but Islamabad has no idea

Rediff.com16 Dec 2015

Pakistan found itself in the cross hairs of Middle East politics after Saudi Arabia included it in a 34-nation military coalition of Muslim countries to combat terrorism without getting Islamabad's consent, media reports said on Wednesday.

Oil retreats, still above $100; no supply shocks for India

Oil retreats, still above $100; no supply shocks for India

Rediff.com25 Feb 2022

International oil prices retreated from an over seven-year high but was still above $100 a barrel and continue to pose threat to India's inflation rate and current account deficit. While there are no supply concerns as the oil route remained open, consumers will feel the pinch when PSU oil firms start passing on the increase in international rates through a revision in petrol and diesel prices, which have been on a pause for over three-and-a-half-months in view of elections in Uttar Pradesh and four other states. The government is "closely monitoring the situation" and will "take appropriate steps as and when required", a top official said. Brent crude oil surged past $105 per barrel on Thursday for the first time since August 2014, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Data Bill: Industry experts fear massive implementation hurdles

Data Bill: Industry experts fear massive implementation hurdles

Rediff.com12 Dec 2019

If the Personal Data Protection Bill gets passed in its present form, a new class of companies and entities could emerge. The sole job of these new entities would be to manage the consent for data usage of a user.Banks, healthcare firms and fintech companies, among others, fear that sharing non-personal data with the government may hurt business interests. Banks also fear the threat of data misuse.

Why Should Crude Oil Prices Go Up?

Why Should Crude Oil Prices Go Up?

Rediff.com17 Feb 2022

If international crude oil prices zoom past the current level of about $90 per barrel and move towards $100 and beyond, middle-class consumers are not going to keep quiet about their discomfort, points out Arun Balakrishnan, former chairman and managing director, Hindustan Petroleum.

Hagel's India visit aimed at nurturing defense ties: Pentagon

Hagel's India visit aimed at nurturing defense ties: Pentagon

Rediff.com2 Aug 2014

United States Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel will visit New Delhi next week during which he will hold talks with his counterpart Arun Jaitley and other top officials, aimed at "nurturing" ties with India after the formation of the new government, a top Pentagon official has said.

Modi needs to calm down India's north east urgently

Modi needs to calm down India's north east urgently

Rediff.com4 Aug 2017

'If the nub of India's sensitivity over the Chinese presence in Doklam is the enhanced threat to the Siliguri Corridor, a vital link to the northeast, does it serve the national purpose to have the districts along it, and then much of the tribal northeast, in turmoil?' asks Shekhar Gupta.

'When Modi chants Ram, Ram, the youth chant kaam kaam'

'When Modi chants Ram, Ram, the youth chant kaam kaam'

Rediff.com22 Feb 2021

'Who are these people on the streets?' 'They are youth and students who were hoodwinked, bluffed by Modi for the last seven years, with a promise of 2 crore jobs every year.' 'And Mamata sings the same tune.' 'But the youth can see that as long as there is Mamata or Modi, there is no hope.'

Despite regulatory uncertainties, investors betting big on Web3 startups

Despite regulatory uncertainties, investors betting big on Web3 startups

Rediff.com21 Nov 2022

If you are a budding developer and interested in Web3, chances are that you will be headed to one of India's largest-ever meetings of Web3 developers, being held by Polygon, a Web3 platform. The company's ongoing "Web3: Made in India Tour" is expected to see close to 4,000 developers coming together at the inaugural Polygon Connect event in Bengaluru on December 1. The event highlights the growing dominance of Web3 developers from India, as well as the sector's rising interest to investors, who continue to invest in startups despite a funds crunch.

Rupee rebounds 26 paise against dollar; snaps 2-day losses

Rupee rebounds 26 paise against dollar; snaps 2-day losses

Rediff.com27 Mar 2015

Rupee rebounds 26 paise against dollar; snaps 2-day losses

Oil price to rise only gradually to $80 by 2020: IEA

Oil price to rise only gradually to $80 by 2020: IEA

Rediff.com10 Nov 2015

The drop in oil to around $50 a barrel this year has triggered steep cutbacks in production of US shale oil

India blows Obama's diplomacy pipe on Syria, Iran

India blows Obama's diplomacy pipe on Syria, Iran

Rediff.com28 Sep 2013

"I complimented him for his vision, for his courage in giving diplomacy yet another chance," Prime Minister Manmohan Singh told media persons in a joint media interaction with Obama inside the Oval Office of the White House, following an hour long meeting between the two leaders.

Trump won't shy away from acting against Pakistan

Trump won't shy away from acting against Pakistan

Rediff.com8 Feb 2017

'Even if someone other than Trump had become president, the US distancing from Pakistan and coming closer to India was already set in motion.' 'With Trump openly declaring his intent to take on Islamic extremism, the days of US political correctness are over,' says Colonel (Dr) Anil A Athale (retd).

India battling climate change and it is getting worse, warn experts

India battling climate change and it is getting worse, warn experts

Rediff.com16 May 2022

The experts said that climate change is not only raising temperatures and making India's heatwaves hotter, but also changing weather patterns that further drive dangerous weather extremes.

PM Modi meets Israeli PM, lays emphasis on cyber security, defence

PM Modi meets Israeli PM, lays emphasis on cyber security, defence

Rediff.com29 Sep 2014

In a hope to improve ties, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu and discussed cooperation in areas ranging from agriculture and water management to defence and cyber security. A Rediff correspondent reports

Obama urges action on Syria @ UNGA

Obama urges action on Syria @ UNGA

Rediff.com25 Sep 2013

Addressing world leaders at the 68th session of the UN General Assembly, Obama said if the international community cannot be united against forcing Syria to give up its chemical weapons, "then it will show that the United Nations is incapable of enforcing the most basic of international laws".

The long, dirty war to be waged against Islamic State

The long, dirty war to be waged against Islamic State

Rediff.com26 Nov 2015

Europe will have to make some hard choices if it wishes to take on the militant group responsible for the horrible attacks in Paris.

After oil, equity markets are likely to crash

After oil, equity markets are likely to crash

Rediff.com3 Dec 2014

Just as very high oil prices looked an anomaly in a sluggish world, so now do record high equities.

Australia detains 18 Indian asylum seekers

Australia detains 18 Indian asylum seekers

Rediff.com30 Sep 2013

The Indians were among 128 asylum seekers, travelling in three boats, intercepted last week and sent for offshore processing, the Australian Associated Press reported on Monday.

Trump warns China of consequences if responsible for virus

Trump warns China of consequences if responsible for virus

Rediff.com19 Apr 2020

Trump, who has expressed his disappointment over handling of the coronavirus disease by China, alleged non-transparency and initial non-cooperation from Beijing with Washington on this issue.

Shooting down Ukranian jet: Event waiting to happen

Shooting down Ukranian jet: Event waiting to happen

Rediff.com13 Jan 2020

In a war situation, the policy of 'what is not mine is enemy' tends to hold sway. It is high time professional militaries took air defence seriously, notes Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).somewhat, it is high time professional militaries took Air Defence seriously, suggests Group Captain Murli Menon (retd).

Major General S C N Jatar: An Unsung Hero

Major General S C N Jatar: An Unsung Hero

Rediff.com25 Oct 2023

Major General S C N Jatar, who passed into the ages on Monday night, thwarted anti-national forces at the peak of the Assam agitation. Colonel Anil A Athale (retd) salutes this officer and gentleman.

Trump receives first top secret intel brief, but won't use it

Trump receives first top secret intel brief, but won't use it

Rediff.com18 Aug 2016

As per the US laws, presidential nominees of the Democratic and Republican parties receive classified presidential briefings which prepares them for presidency if elected.

Trump denies covering up for Saudi in Khashoggi case

Trump denies covering up for Saudi in Khashoggi case

Rediff.com18 Oct 2018

Trump told reporters at the White House that he had asked for the audio that gives a clue of the alleged brutal killing of Khashoggi.

Gandhi Peace Prize 2020 conferred on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Gandhi Peace Prize 2020 conferred on Sheikh Mujibur Rahman

Rediff.com22 Mar 2021

Late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said of Oman was awarded the prestigious prize for the year 2019 in recognition of his vision to strengthen relations with India, and his efforts to promote peace and non-violence in the Gulf region, the ministry said.

'Apt policy corrections alone can revive India's growth'

'Apt policy corrections alone can revive India's growth'

Rediff.com1 Apr 2014

The former RBI deputy governor talked about the prospects of an economic revival, reforms in IMF, etc.

Rise and Rise of Qatar in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

Rise and Rise of Qatar in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan

Rediff.com1 Sep 2021

Considering that Qatar is a trusted ally of Washington for decades, it is expected to be a steady influence on the Taliban leadership, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.