News for 'National Affairs'

Jaishankar speaks to Taliban minister, welcomes condemnation of Pahalgam attack

Jaishankar speaks to Taliban minister, welcomes condemnation of Pahalgam attack

Rediff.com16 May 2025

India on Thursday welcomed Kabul's firm rejection of attempts to create distrust between India and Afghanistan during a phone conversation between External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and acting Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi.

India-Pak clash is about terrorism, West will suffer too: Jaishankar

India-Pak clash is about terrorism, West will suffer too: Jaishankar

Rediff.com11 Jun 2025

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said the recent confrontation between India and Pakistan was not just a mere conflict between two neighbours, but it was about combating terrorism, which will eventually come back to haunt the West.

TMC names Mamata nephew for Op Sindoor delegation after row

TMC names Mamata nephew for Op Sindoor delegation after row

Rediff.com20 May 2025

The decision came after Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju called Trinamool supremo and West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, a source said.

No room for politics: Govt after all-party meet on Op Sindoor

No room for politics: Govt after all-party meet on Op Sindoor

Rediff.com8 May 2025

The Indian government briefed an all-party meeting on Thursday on the success of "Operation Sindoor", the retaliatory airstrikes against Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack. Top government functionaries and opposition leaders met for a second time in a fortnight amid rising tensions between India and Pakistan. The meeting was chaired by Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh and attended by several prominent leaders from various political parties. The government highlighted the strikes on nine terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, including the Jaish-e-Mohammad stronghold of Bahawalpur and Lashkar-e-Taiba's base Muridke.

Pak ex-PM Imran Khan likely to be released from jail on June 11

Pak ex-PM Imran Khan likely to be released from jail on June 11

Rediff.com8 Jun 2025

The Islamabad high court is set to hear the petitions requesting the suspension of sentences to Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi in the 190 million Pound Al-Qadir Trust case on June 11.

Salute! India's First Ethnic Gorkha General

Salute! India's First Ethnic Gorkha General

Rediff.com7 Jul 2025

Lieutenant General Shakti Gurung deserves to be complimented in telling his life story and that of his people, as subaltern communities within this vast and diverse nation of ours clamour for recognition and a plea for their voices to be heard and their aspirations to be met, notes Lieutenant General Gautam Moorthy.

Op Sindoor: Diplomatic missions push for decisive anti-terror action

Op Sindoor: Diplomatic missions push for decisive anti-terror action

Rediff.com30 May 2025

All-party parliamentary delegations on Friday met leaders and diplomats from several countries to galvanise international action against terrorists and decisively counter the tactics of those who perpetrate, support and sponsor cross-border terror activities against India.

What's The Point Of Quad If Trump Equates India-Pakistan?

What's The Point Of Quad If Trump Equates India-Pakistan?

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

If the only superpower, which calls India an ally, sees the region through an India-Pakistan prism, it is unacceptable. Rather than endorse India's sphere of influence, this undermines it, asserts Shekhar Gupta.

'Tharoor Is Perhaps Donning Two Hats'

'Tharoor Is Perhaps Donning Two Hats'

Rediff.com18 May 2025

'The Congress submitted four names to the government as the people who should accompany the delegation.' 'I don't know what happened to those names.' 'When I was approached, I told them to speak to my party.' 'I have no further involvement with this delegation.'

India will respond firmly to any military attack from Pak: Jaishankar

India will respond firmly to any military attack from Pak: Jaishankar

Rediff.com9 May 2025

India has no intention to escalate tensions with Pakistan, but any military attacks on its soil will be met with a "very" firm response, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday. Jaishankar made the remarks at a meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, emphasizing that the "barbaric" Pahalgam terror attack compelled India to carry out strikes on "cross-border" terror infrastructure on Wednesday. He reiterated that India's response was targeted and measured, but stressed that any further military attacks would be met with a firm response. The Iranian foreign minister, who landed in New Delhi amidst escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, called for de-escalation of the situation and stressed the need for regional cooperation to eradicate terrorism. The meeting also focused on boosting ties in areas of trade and investment, including the Chabahar port project.

Is it so difficult to be patriotic: Salman Khurshid's cryptic post

Is it so difficult to be patriotic: Salman Khurshid's cryptic post

Rediff.com3 Jun 2025

Congress leader Salman Khurshid, who is a part of India's diplomatic mission abroad, on Monday said it is 'distressing' that people back home are calculating political allegiances and asked if it is 'so difficult to be patriotic'.

What The Next Census Will Discover

What The Next Census Will Discover

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

The next Census' findings will help identify the extent of India's ageing population and vulnerability levels.

At G7 Summit, Modi urges global action against terrorism

At G7 Summit, Modi urges global action against terrorism

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

Reaffirming India's stand against terrorism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged leaders of the G7 to galvanise global action against terrorism and underscored the need for strict action against those who 'promote and support' it.

What does Nitish Kumar's NDA pledge really mean?

What does Nitish Kumar's NDA pledge really mean?

Rediff.com4 May 2025

Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, seeking a fifth term, has asserted that he will remain in the NDA, crediting the BJP for his rise to power. Kumar, the JD(U) supremo, reiterated his stance at the Khelo India Youth Games. He has been a BJP ally since the mid-1990s but parted ways in 2013. Kumar's return to the NDA ahead of the Lok Sabha polls last year, after previously joining hands with the RJD-led Mahagathbandhan, has sparked debate about his political strategy.

Only 1 of 4 named: Cong slams govt over skewed delegation picks

Only 1 of 4 named: Cong slams govt over skewed delegation picks

Rediff.com18 May 2025

The opposition party, however, said the four eminent Congress MPs and leaders who have been included at the instance of the Modi government will, of course, go with the delegations and make their contributions.

Special NIA court formed to try cases related to Manipur violence

Special NIA court formed to try cases related to Manipur violence

Rediff.com23 May 2025

A sessions court in Manipur's Churachandpur has been designated as a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court for the trial of cases related to ethnic violence being investigated by the NIA.

India briefs foreign envoys on Pahalgam attack for 2nd straight day

India briefs foreign envoys on Pahalgam attack for 2nd straight day

Rediff.com26 Apr 2025

India briefed envoys of around 45 nations on the Pahalgam terror attack and its link to cross-border terrorism. The envoys were briefed in two batches by senior officials of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). India also announced punitive measures against Pakistan, including expulsion of Pakistani military attaches, suspension of the Indus Water Treaty of 1960 and immediate shutting down of the Attari land-transit post. Pakistan responded by shutting its airspace to all Indian airlines and suspending trade with New Delhi.

Reveal truth to country: Cong to govt after CDS remarks

Reveal truth to country: Cong to govt after CDS remarks

Rediff.com31 May 2025

Congress leader Uttam Kumar Reddy said the country wanted to know whether any aircraft were downed during the conflict, especially in the wake of the CDS' "admission".

Act against Pakistan's terror ecosystem: India to Turkiye

Act against Pakistan's terror ecosystem: India to Turkiye

Rediff.com23 May 2025

India expects Turkiye to strongly urge Pakistan to end its support to cross-border terrorism, said ministry of external affairs spokesperson, Randhir Jaiswal during the weekly briefing on Thursday.

11 crash victims identified through DNA testing so far

11 crash victims identified through DNA testing so far

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

Authorities at the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital have so far identified eleven victims of the June 12 Air India plane crash through DNA testing and started the process to hand over the bodies to their relatives, officials said on Saturday.

Can Jha & Team Convince Japan, Korea Etc?

Can Jha & Team Convince Japan, Korea Etc?

Rediff.com23 May 2025

JD-U MP Sanjay Kumar Jha heads a diplomatic mission to Indonesia, Malaysia, South Korea, Japan and Singapore, to seek international cooperation after the Pahalgam attack while highlighting Pakistan's role in cross-border terrorism.

Pak ministry posts plea for aid; account hacked, says govt

Pak ministry posts plea for aid; account hacked, says govt

Rediff.com9 May 2025

Pakistan's Ministry of Economic Affairs X account was hacked and a fake appeal was posted, calling for more international loans to help defuse tensions with India following the Pahalgam terror attack. The post urged the international community to help de-escalate the situation and requested more loans to address "heavy losses" caused by the tensions. The hacking incident occurred during a crucial meeting of the IMF executive board to decide on the next installment of a USD 7 billion loan for Pakistan.

Diplomatic win for India, Colombia withdraws pro-Pak statement

Diplomatic win for India, Colombia withdraws pro-Pak statement

Rediff.com31 May 2025

Tharoor, who is leading the all-party delegation to the Americas during his Bogota visit, had expressed dismay over the South American country's stance during a press conference on Thursday.

Dialogue, not battlefields, key to global peace: Modi in Croatia

Dialogue, not battlefields, key to global peace: Modi in Croatia

Rediff.com19 Jun 2025

In his media statement following talks with his Croatian counterpart Andrej Plenkovic, Modi said both leaders agree that "terrorism is an enemy of humanity" and is inimical to forces that believe in democracy.

HISTORIC: Shuks heads to ISS, 1st Indian in space in 41 years

HISTORIC: Shuks heads to ISS, 1st Indian in space in 41 years

Rediff.com26 Jun 2025

The Lucknow-born Shukla, former NASA astronaut Mission Commander Peggy Whitson, Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland, and Tibor Kapu of Hungary are part of the Axiom-4 mission that marks the return to space for the three nations.

Diplomatic front against terror: Russia, Japan, UAE pledge support to India

Diplomatic front against terror: Russia, Japan, UAE pledge support to India

Rediff.com24 May 2025

India has secured international support in its fight against terrorism, with Russia, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates expressing solidarity and a commitment to working together to combat the threat. This follows a recent terrorist attack in Pahalgam, India, which claimed 26 lives. Multi-party parliamentary delegations from India briefed the leaderships of these countries on Operation Sindoor, India's response to the attack, and discussed ways to enhance cooperation in counter-terrorism and combating radicalism. These developments highlight the growing global consensus against terrorism and the importance of international collaboration to address this shared challenge.

When wives kill: Women, crime, and breaking of stereotypes

When wives kill: Women, crime, and breaking of stereotypes

Rediff.com18 Jun 2025

Until they were arrested on charges of murdering their husbands. That they were women from small towns who broke out of stereotype in the most brutal way possible led to sensational headlines, frantic curiosity and also gave fodder to a series of misogynistic memes and jokes.

Is One Nation, One Election A Ploy?

Is One Nation, One Election A Ploy?

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

What India needs more than one simultaneous election is better governance both at the central and state level. Yes, we need reforms, but our priority should be to make elections less expensive, make it more democratic, do away with freebies which are actually bribes before elections, allow only those who are educated to contest, and bring in a bill to make it impossible for criminals to contest, advocates Ramesh Menon.

Modi arrives in Canada for G7 Summit amid Israel-Iran conflict

Modi arrives in Canada for G7 Summit amid Israel-Iran conflict

Rediff.com17 Jun 2025

The Kananaskis gathering on June 16-17 is the Prime Minister's 6th consecutive participation in the G7 Summit.

Tharoor in diplomatic delegation: Cong accuses govt of playing politics

Tharoor in diplomatic delegation: Cong accuses govt of playing politics

Rediff.com17 May 2025

The opposition party's attack came after Shashi Tharoor, not part of the four leaders nominated by the Congress, was named as the head of a delegation to key partner countries to convey India's message of zero tolerance against terrorism following Operation Sindoor.

Kanimozhi's Mission Possible In Russia

Kanimozhi's Mission Possible In Russia

Rediff.com27 May 2025

The Kanimozhi Karunanidhi-led delegation is visiting five European nations to garner support for India's campaign against cross-border terrorism.

Well Done, Bharat Mata Defenders Group!

Well Done, Bharat Mata Defenders Group!

Rediff.com5 Jun 2025

Fifty-nine members of delegations visiting 33 world capitals, reaching millions of people, giving one message, in one language, in one voice -- is an unprecedented world movement, observes former BJP MP Tarun Vijay, former Chief Editor, Panchjanya, the RSS weekly.

Evacuate us, say Indian students in Iran after Israeli strikes

Evacuate us, say Indian students in Iran after Israeli strikes

Rediff.com14 Jun 2025

Zahra said that while the university officials visited the students and advised them to remain calm, they did not offer clarity on which areas might be safer.

India ready to 'retaliate resolutely' if Pak...: NSA Doval

India ready to 'retaliate resolutely' if Pak...: NSA Doval

Rediff.com7 May 2025

Doval briefed his counterparts in the United States, United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia and Japan about India's missile strikes against terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. He also established contact with Russia and France, officials said.

Why India Is Angry with Turkiye

Why India Is Angry with Turkiye

Rediff.com28 May 2025

India-Turkiye ties are strained over Ankara's Islamabad tilt, its arms links with Pakistan, and fallout from the Pahalgam terror attack.

Where Does Shashi Tharoor Go From Here?

Where Does Shashi Tharoor Go From Here?

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

The political and ideological differences between the Congress and Shashi Tharoor is no longer a matter of whispers.

Govt approaches all parties to impeach cash row judge

Govt approaches all parties to impeach cash row judge

Rediff.com4 Jun 2025

Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday underlined the government's resolve to take all political parties on board in moving an impeachment motion against Justice Yashwant Varma, saying corruption in the judiciary cannot be approached through a 'political prism'.

Assam Cong leader grilled in 'Gogoi's Pakistan link' case

Assam Cong leader grilled in 'Gogoi's Pakistan link' case

Rediff.com29 May 2025

Senior Congress leader and former Rajya Sabha MP Ripun Bora was on Thursday questioned by Assam Police in connection with a case related to party colleague Gaurav Gogoi's alleged links with Pakistan, officials said.

'Red' alert for downpour in Himachal, rail line shut

'Red' alert for downpour in Himachal, rail line shut

Rediff.com29 Jun 2025

The meteorological centre in Shimla issued a 'red' alert on Sunday for very heavy downpour in 10 districts of Himachal Pradesh, while services on the Shimla-Kalka rail line were suspended for hours till the debris and trees fallen on the tracks following overnight rains were removed.

Listen to your conscience: Cong to party MPs picked by govt

Listen to your conscience: Cong to party MPs picked by govt

Rediff.com18 May 2025

The Congress on Sunday said it was not stopping anyone from being part of diplomatic delegations to be sent to various countries following Operation Sindoor and that its leaders who have been named at the instance of the government must listen to their conscience and contribute to the exercise.