News for 'Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs'

Pulitzer-prize winning Reuters photographer denied entry back in India

Pulitzer-prize winning Reuters photographer denied entry back in India

Rediff.com28 Dec 2018

McNaughton, an Irish national who won the Pulitzer Prize in May 2018, allegedly travelled to restricted and protected areas in Jammu and Kashmir without permission. He also reported from the state without valid permission.

Indo-US ties have evolved into very deep partnership: Indian envoy

Indo-US ties have evolved into very deep partnership: Indian envoy

Rediff.com1 Sep 2016

A 1979 batch Indian Foreign Service officer, Singh said it is generally recognised that Indian diplomacy over a period of time has gained "more and more impact".

MEA advises 'not to hold IPL at this time' due to coronavirus

MEA advises 'not to hold IPL at this time' due to coronavirus

Rediff.com12 Mar 2020

The government's focus is on containing and controlling coronavirus the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday and advised Indians to stay put wherever they are and travel only under compelling reasons. Responding to questions about IPL and other sporting events, it said the MEA's advise would be "not do it at this time but if the organisers want to go ahead, it is their decision".

China blocks India-US move to blacklist LeT terrorist 2nd time in 2 days

China blocks India-US move to blacklist LeT terrorist 2nd time in 2 days

Rediff.com20 Oct 2022

Hafiz Talha Saeed is a senior leader of the LeT and is the head of the cleric wing of the terrorist organisation.

Your visa got delayed? Here's why

Your visa got delayed? Here's why

Rediff.com28 Jul 2022

It was supposed to be a happy journey to London, one that the Imam family had been planning for the past two months. Everything was set - except the visa, which did not arrive in time for one of its members. "Visa was the villain...As a consequence, half of the family of four will be in London today and the other half at home in India and the US, respectively," Sanjar Imam, director of travel firm Panache World, wrote in a Facebook post on Sunday.

Listing norms for foreign firms to be eased

Listing norms for foreign firms to be eased

Rediff.com24 May 2007

The ministry of corporate affairs (earlier company affairs) is amending the stringent IDR (Indian depository receipts) regulations to make it easier for foreign companies to list here.

Exclusive! How China released Indian troops after the 1962 War

Exclusive! How China released Indian troops after the 1962 War

Rediff.com6 Dec 2019

'All PoWs recounted that one of the worst aspects of their captivity in Tibet was the constant attempt at brainwashing by Chinese Communist propaganda,' reveals Claude Arpi.

IOC renews deal to buy up to 2 MT of oil from Russia's Rosneft

IOC renews deal to buy up to 2 MT of oil from Russia's Rosneft

Rediff.com7 Dec 2021

Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), the nation's largest oil firm, has renewed a deal to buy up to 2 million tonnes of crude oil in 2022 from Russia's Rosneft, the Russian oil producer said. IOC had in February 2020 signed a deal with Rosneft Oil Company to import up to 2 million tonnes of oil via the port of Novorossiysk. In 2021, the deal envisaged supply of up to 1.7 million tonnes of crude oil but IOC bought just on parcel or shipload as the cost of transporting the oil made it uneconomical, when compared to alternatives. For 2022, the deal is for the supply of up to 2 million tonnes of oil from the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.

India concludes air evacuation operations from Yemen

India concludes air evacuation operations from Yemen

Rediff.com10 Apr 2015

India on Thursday wrapped up its air evacuation operations from Yemen rescuing another 630 of its citizens from Sanaa, taking the total number of Indians brought home from the war-ravaged country to over 4,640 besides around 960 nationals from 41 countries.

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.

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.

Restore Aatish Taseer's OCI card: Nobel winners to Modi

Restore Aatish Taseer's OCI card: Nobel winners to Modi

Rediff.com14 Nov 2019

'Denying access to the country to writers of both foreign and Indian origin casts a chill on public discourse; it flies in the face of India's traditions of free and open debate and respect for a diversity of views, and weakens its credentials as a strong and thriving democracy'

What Nupur Sharma May Cost India

What Nupur Sharma May Cost India

Rediff.com10 Jun 2022

India's trade with the Gulf-Arab region stands at $180 billion. India needs the Gulf region more in terms of trade, investments and employment than the other way round. When it comes to faith, the Gulf-Arab nations have not been found wanting at any point in time, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

ED raids Amnesty International office in Bengaluru

ED raids Amnesty International office in Bengaluru

Rediff.com25 Oct 2018

The searches are in connection with alleged violation of foreign direct investment norms that is linked to an earlier case of revocation of Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act licence of the NGO by the Union home ministry in 2010, the ED said.

Who likes flights at unearthly hours?

Who likes flights at unearthly hours?

Rediff.com12 Jan 2017

India may make peak-time allocation of airport slots for its airlines an essential part of any bilateral signed in future. Arindam Majumder reports.

Modi Cabinet: Prabhu gets Railways, Parrikar gets Defence

Modi Cabinet: Prabhu gets Railways, Parrikar gets Defence

Rediff.com10 Nov 2014

Hours after 21 ministers took the oath of office and became a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's ministry, speculation began on which minister would be handed which portfolio. However, all speculation ended after the list was announced.

World must remember Indian heroism in WWI

World must remember Indian heroism in WWI

Rediff.com7 Dec 2018

'The Indian Army served with honour and distinction in France and Flanders, East Africa, Gallipoli, Aden, Egypt, Mesopotamia, Palestine, Transcaspia, Persia and even China.' 'The sacrifice of India's soldiers was consigned to the dustbin of history in the post-colonial world.'

Will India manage to get Choksi extradited from Antigua?

Will India manage to get Choksi extradited from Antigua?

Rediff.com7 Aug 2018

India looking at bringing back Choksi under Antiguan law applicable to Commonwealth countries

Kartarpur pilgrims can carry max Rs 11K, one bag

Kartarpur pilgrims can carry max Rs 11K, one bag

Rediff.com24 Oct 2019

According to the "do's and don'ts" issued by the ministry of home affairs, children below 13 years and elderly persons of about 75 years and above will have to travel in groups. Eco-friendly material, preferably cloth bags, should be used during the pilgrimage and the surroundings should be kept clean.

MEA downplays envoy's note on Jet-Etihad deal, calls it normal

MEA downplays envoy's note on Jet-Etihad deal, calls it normal

Rediff.com7 Mar 2014

The spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs said diplomats deal with a variety of issues and it was normal for them to collect information, assess them and send report to the government back home.

Flight from Chennai lands at new airport in Jaffna

Flight from Chennai lands at new airport in Jaffna

Rediff.com17 Oct 2019

The ATR 72-600 aircraft was accorded water salute as it landed at the Jaffna airport, about 400-km from capital Colombo.

Trump, Melania to visit India on Feb 24-25

Trump, Melania to visit India on Feb 24-25

Rediff.com11 Feb 2020

The president and First Lady Melania Trump will travel to New Delhi and Ahmedabad during the visit.

It's confirmed, Nirav Modi IS in UK

It's confirmed, Nirav Modi IS in UK

Rediff.com20 Aug 2018

Nirav Modi, along with his wife Ami Modi, a US citizen, brother Nishal Modi, a Belgian citizen, and uncle Mehul Choksi, all accused in the CBI's FIRs in the case, left the country in the first week of January, weeks before country's biggest banking scam surfaced.

NRIs may get voting rights soon

NRIs may get voting rights soon

Rediff.com13 Jun 2010

A longstanding demand for voting rights in India by millions of Non Resident Indians may finally see the light of the day with a group of ministers clearing a draft bill on the issue, paving way for its consideration by the Union cabinet.

COVID-19 impact: Foreign players not available for IPL till April 15 due to fresh visa restrictions

COVID-19 impact: Foreign players not available for IPL till April 15 due to fresh visa restrictions

Rediff.com12 Mar 2020

The government issued a fresh advisory with a ban on all existing foreign visas, except a few categories like diplomatic and employment, till April 15 in the wake of new positive cases of novel coronavirus in the country.

Sebi gave clean chit to Choksi, claims Antigua

Sebi gave clean chit to Choksi, claims Antigua

Rediff.com3 Aug 2018

However, the Indian capital markets regulator rejected the claim saying it neither received any such request, nor provided any such information to the concerned department in Antigua.

India refuses to accept foreign aid towards Kerala flood relief

India refuses to accept foreign aid towards Kerala flood relief

Rediff.com23 Aug 2018

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Wednesday the state government would approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clear hurdles, if any, in receiving the flood relief aid offered to the state by the UAE.

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.

Why is Gen Rawat rushing with Theatre Commands?

Why is Gen Rawat rushing with Theatre Commands?

Rediff.com29 Jun 2021

The tearing hurry to form theatre commands has to be replaced by a balanced and deliberate approach. We need to accept that this process will take time if executed correctly and in the best interests of the Indian armed forces, argues Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Govt to ease FDI norms in defence, to permit up to 74% investment

Govt to ease FDI norms in defence, to permit up to 74% investment

Rediff.com16 May 2020

To boost Make in India in defence production, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday said foreign direct investment limit in defence manufacturing will be hiked to 74 per cent from 49 per cent while some weapons and platforms will be banned for imports.

India to post financial sleuths in 4 countries

India to post financial sleuths in 4 countries

Rediff.com13 Feb 2017

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, the lead agency to check customs frauds and smuggling, has decided to post officers at India's Mission in New York (US), Singapore, Brussels (Belgium) and in Nepal's Birgunj.

Must-read money tips if your children live abroad!

Must-read money tips if your children live abroad!

Rediff.com6 Mar 2020

If your children live abroad, rely more on financial assets as they are easier to liquidate and move across borders.

Why we must remember E Ahamed

Why we must remember E Ahamed

Rediff.com7 Feb 2017

'E Ahamed will be sorely missed as a decent and wise man who made the best use of his political career and personal abilities for the good of the nation,' remembers Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Coronavirus cases in India reaches 60

Coronavirus cases in India reaches 60

Rediff.com11 Mar 2020

Issuing a travel advisory, the health ministry also called for passengers with travel history to China, Hong Kong, Republic of Korea, Japan, Italy, Thailand, Singapore, Iran, Malaysia, France, Spain and Germany to undergo self-imposed quarantine for a period of 14 days from the date of their arrival, and their employers to facilitate work-from-home for such employees during this period.

Over 540 killed in Yemen conflict; 4,000 Indians evacuted

Over 540 killed in Yemen conflict; 4,000 Indians evacuted

Rediff.com7 Apr 2015

Over 540 people have been killed and 1,700 injured in the fierce fighting in Yemen in the past few weeks with relief agencies on Tuesday warning of a dire situation.

Surely, the PM didn't cancel Taseer's OCI!

Surely, the PM didn't cancel Taseer's OCI!

Rediff.com19 Nov 2019

'That would be ridiculous and uncharacteristic of the PM.' 'It is also not how things happen in illiberal States.' 'In such places, lower-level functionaries of every rank and hue seek to ingratiate themselves with the highest authority by going pell-mell after dissenters and outsiders,' points out Mihir S Sharma.

Govt may fund strategically important Iranian port

Govt may fund strategically important Iranian port

Rediff.com30 May 2014

JNPT, the country's largest container port at Navi Mumbai, and Kandla in Gujarat's Kutch, the largest port by total cargo, will come together to form a Special Purpose Vehicle to operate the terminal at Chabahar, under a revenue-share agreement with the Port and Maritime Organisation, Iran.

CBI to probe activist Teesta Stelvad's firm, freezes account

CBI to probe activist Teesta Stelvad's firm, freezes account

Rediff.com26 Jun 2015

The government on Friday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation into transfer of funds by United States-based Ford Foundation to Sabrang Communication and Publishing Pvt Limited, with which social activist Teesta Stelvad is associated, allegedly in violation of rules and froze a bank account of the firm.

Govt nod likely to e-ballot for NRIs

Govt nod likely to e-ballot for NRIs

Rediff.com11 Jan 2015

Days after extending more benefits to Persons of Indian Origin, the government is set to accept the recommendations of a committee which has favoured voting for Non-Resident Indians through electronic means.

The new face of economic team at North Block

The new face of economic team at North Block

Rediff.com6 Jan 2015

Jaitley's team presents a quintessential mix of foreign-educated, intellectual technocrats and seasoned bureaucrats