News for 'Office of Media Affairs'

RS Chairman engaged to break Govt-Oppn stalemate: Secretariat

RS Chairman engaged to break Govt-Oppn stalemate: Secretariat

Rediff.com23 Dec 2021

"The Chairman was actively engaged in resolving the stalemate over the suspension issue but there was no progress due to shifting positions of the concerned and perhaps, due to unwillingness to regret the misconduct of suspended Members and lack of agreement among the concerned parties on regretting the incidents that led to suspension,' said a statement released by RS Secretariat

Vikas Swarup new high commissioner to Canada

Vikas Swarup new high commissioner to Canada

Rediff.com16 Feb 2017

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Vikas Swarup, credited with expanding foreign ministry's social media outreach and handling sensitive issues deftly, was on Thursday appointed India's High Commissioner to Canada.

Blinken arrives in India; to discuss various issues with leaders

Blinken arrives in India; to discuss various issues with leaders

Rediff.com27 Jul 2021

Blinken and Indian leaders on Wednesday will discuss a plethora of pressing issues such as the fluid situation in Afghanistan, regional security concerns, COVID-19 response and ways to boost Indo-Pacific engagement, people familiar with the agenda of talks said.

Imran Khan's minister shares stage with terrorist Hafiz Saeed

Imran Khan's minister shares stage with terrorist Hafiz Saeed

Rediff.com1 Oct 2018

Minister for Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony Noor-Ul-Haq Qadri was seen seated near Saeed as he addressed an All Parties Conference organised by the Difa-e-Pakistan Council on Sunday.

NIA to probe Kerala gold smuggling case

NIA to probe Kerala gold smuggling case

Rediff.com10 Jul 2020

The gold, weighing over 30 kg, was seized from the "diplomatic baggage" that had landed by air cargo at the Thiruvananthapuram international airport recently from the Gulf.

Agnipath will change composition of region-, caste-based regiments

Agnipath will change composition of region-, caste-based regiments

Rediff.com14 Jun 2022

The scheme is aimed at slashing the salary and pension bills of the three services, which have been increasing rapidly.

China rushes to prevent split in Nepal Communist Party

China rushes to prevent split in Nepal Communist Party

Rediff.com26 Dec 2020

Nepal plunged into a political crisis last Sunday after Oli, known for his pro-Beijing leanings, in a surprise move, recommended dissolving the 275-member House, amidst a tussle for power with former prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal 'Prachanda'.

Let The Amrit Kaal Begin!

Let The Amrit Kaal Begin!

Rediff.com3 Feb 2022

Without periodic booster shots to display of strength, how is this government what it aims to be? There was also the landscape of prosperity pictured; the in-season affair with 'amrit' stretched to a longer residence in 'Amrit Kaal', notes Shyam G Menon.

Internet restored at Ghazipur protest site, fortification continues

Internet restored at Ghazipur protest site, fortification continues

Rediff.com3 Feb 2021

Internet services remained disrupted for the fifth day at the site on Delhi's outskirts where protesters are occupying a stretch of the Delhi-Meerut highway since November, even as a Ghaziabad Police officer told PTI that online connectivity has been restored but there could be glitches.

Why are US, British, Russian spy chiefs in Delhi?

Why are US, British, Russian spy chiefs in Delhi?

Rediff.com14 Sep 2021

The Western powers appear to regard Delhi as the most logical destination in the region in these extraordinary times -- as a counterpoint to the ascendance of political Islam and a rising red star over Afghanistan, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Stalin Prepares For Battle Of 2024

Stalin Prepares For Battle Of 2024

Rediff.com6 May 2022

The going is not going to be easy for the DMK and its allies in Elections 2024. Despite the seats sweepstake in the 2021 assembly polls, the vote-share difference of 5.6% (DMK's 45.38% versus AIADMK-BJP's 39.72%) is not insurmountable on a bad day, points out N Sathiya Moorthy.

Pakistan reports first two deaths due to coronavirus

Pakistan reports first two deaths due to coronavirus

Rediff.com19 Mar 2020

On Thursday, maximum new cases were recorded in Balochistan where the number of infected people rose to 76 from 23. Punjab was the next where the number rose from 33 to 78, Dawn reported.

Pak announces Gilgit-Baltistan poll date, India reacts sharply

Pak announces Gilgit-Baltistan poll date, India reacts sharply

Rediff.com25 Sep 2020

'The president of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is pleased to announce Sunday, the 15th November 2020, as the poll day for the general elections to the Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) Legislative Assembly in terms of Section 57(1) of the Elections Act 2017,' the statement said. Reacting to the development, the Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs Anurag Srivastava said in New Delhi said the Government of Pakistan or its judiciary has no locus standi on territories illegally and forcibly occupied by it.

R-Day violence to Lakhimpur killings, anti-farm laws stir saw it all

R-Day violence to Lakhimpur killings, anti-farm laws stir saw it all

Rediff.com9 Dec 2021

From the Republic Day violence to Lakhimpur Kheri incident and terms such as 'toolkit' and andolanjeevi entering the Indian political lexicon, it was controversies galore during the year-long farmers' movement against the contentious agri laws.

India to start Australia Tests in Brisbane on December 3: report

India to start Australia Tests in Brisbane on December 3: report

Rediff.com27 May 2020

Cricket Australia has locked in four venues for the financially crucial Test series against India and the first match is tentatively set for a December 3 start in Brisbane, as per local media reports. The 7news.com.au report also stated that there will be no quarantine hub or "bio bubble" required as of now.

UAE helped bring down India-Pak tensions: Envoy

UAE helped bring down India-Pak tensions: Envoy

Rediff.com15 Apr 2021

India and Pakistan in a surprise announcement said on February 25 that they have agreed to strictly observe all agreements on ceasefire along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and other sectors.

Govt says ready to answer all questions asked in Parl; Oppn cries foul

Govt says ready to answer all questions asked in Parl; Oppn cries foul

Rediff.com3 Sep 2020

Countering the Opposition charge of curtailing the Question Hour, the sources in the government said this is not the first time that the Question Hour will not be taken up during a session as it was dispensed with in 2004 and 2009, besides also in 1991 as well as in 1962, 1975 and 1976 for various reasons.

Ajit Pawar or Jayant Patil: Who is NCP's leader in Maha assembly?

Ajit Pawar or Jayant Patil: Who is NCP's leader in Maha assembly?

Rediff.com26 Nov 2019

'Ajit Dada will have no role to play as NCP's leader in the assembly whenever it is convened'

Beware of Chinese propaganda!

Beware of Chinese propaganda!

Rediff.com11 Jan 2019

China has been trying to build lobbies of influence and mould public opinion in India since at least 2017, and large sums have been invested in the effort, reveals former RA&W officer Jayadeva Ranade.

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.

Winter Session: PM hopes for 'high quality' debates

Winter Session: PM hopes for 'high quality' debates

Rediff.com18 Nov 2019

The government is open to discussions on all issues, the prime minister told journalists in Parliament complex ahead of the beginning of the session.

'Deployment of SFF has upset China immensely'

'Deployment of SFF has upset China immensely'

Rediff.com16 Sep 2020

'China is concerned about its impact within Tibet.'

Where Does AIADMK Go From Here?

Where Does AIADMK Go From Here?

Rediff.com12 Jul 2022

There is nothing to suggest that the DMK stands to gain from the AIADMK split nor is there anything indicative of an extraordinary advantage for the BJP, independently or in the company of the AIADMK, explains N Sathiya Moorthy.

False assertions: India condemns UK lawmakers' debate on farmers' stir

False assertions: India condemns UK lawmakers' debate on farmers' stir

Rediff.com9 Mar 2021

The Indian High Commission made its displeasure known despite the British government earlier reiterating that the three New Delhi laws on agricultural reform were a "domestic matter".

Mamata says dining hall circular old as BJP alleges appeasement

Mamata says dining hall circular old as BJP alleges appeasement

Rediff.com28 Jun 2019

The matter was brought into public domain by the BJP's West Bengal unit president Dilip Ghosh who took to Twitter to slam the government for its directive.

Doval-Wang talks: 'A double whammy for India'

Doval-Wang talks: 'A double whammy for India'

Rediff.com7 Jul 2020

'The Chinese staying put in Pangong Tso, and creating a buffer zone on Indian territory in other areas,' a senior serving general tells Ajai Shukla.

Will phone tapping controversy rock Gehlot's boat?

Will phone tapping controversy rock Gehlot's boat?

Rediff.com29 Mar 2021

Union minister files a case against Rajasthan officials, alleges that audio recordings of tapped phone conversations has tarnished his reputation and disturbed his mental peace.

8 Indian mission staffers' identity compromised; branded as 'agents'

8 Indian mission staffers' identity compromised; branded as 'agents'

Rediff.com3 Nov 2016

The Dawn reported that the alleged Indian intelligence personnel, whose cover was blown off in the media leak include commercial counsellor Rajesh Kumar Agnihotri, first secretary, press and culture Balbir Singh, first secretary, commercial Anurag Singh, visa attache Amardeep Singh Bhatti, visa assistants Dharmedra, Vijay Kumar Verma and Madhavan Nanda Kumar, and assistant, personnel welfare office Jayabalan Senthil.

Tikait gives UP govt week's ultimatum to arrest MoS's son

Tikait gives UP govt week's ultimatum to arrest MoS's son

Rediff.com6 Oct 2021

Tikait said the minister's son was seen by many people at the spot on the fateful day.

Modi meets top American CEOs in first engagement in US

Modi meets top American CEOs in first engagement in US

Rediff.com23 Sep 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his engagements in the US on Thursday by meeting with leading American CEOs from five different key sectors and highlighted the economic opportunities in India.

Nepal issues text books with new maps including Indian areas

Nepal issues text books with new maps including Indian areas

Rediff.com18 Sep 2020

India has already termed as untenable the 'artificial enlargement' of the territorial claims by Nepal after its Parliament unanimously approved the new political map of the country featuring Lipulekh, Kalapani and Limpiyadhura areas which India maintains belongs to it.

'Most critics don't know difference between good and bad film'

'Most critics don't know difference between good and bad film'

Rediff.com27 Sep 2022

'It's time to change this system of randomly giving stars and the right to bad critics to run down our products.' 'Two films, even if both get three stars, are very different from each other.' 'I can understand if these stars indicated a level of enjoyment or engagement, but the current rating system is flawed because there are no parameters.'

Pak: Sikh girl abducted, forcibly converted to Islam

Pak: Sikh girl abducted, forcibly converted to Islam

Rediff.com30 Aug 2019

One of the suspects Arsalan, a friend of prime suspect Mohammad Hassan who married the Sikh girl, has been arrested.

14 BJP workers killed in Bengal, nearly 1 lakh fled: Nadda

14 BJP workers killed in Bengal, nearly 1 lakh fled: Nadda

Rediff.com6 May 2021

Claiming that at least 14 Bharatiya Janata Party workers were killed and nearly one lakh people fled their homes in post-poll violence in West Bengal, party president J P Nadda on Wednesday alleged that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's silence speaks of her involvement.

Shane Warne: He took the world for a spin and world loved him back

Shane Warne: He took the world for a spin and world loved him back

Rediff.com4 Mar 2022

Mr Warne, the world will miss you.

J-K gears up for first polls post Article 370 abrogation

J-K gears up for first polls post Article 370 abrogation

Rediff.com26 Nov 2020

The first-ever district development council (DDC) elections will be held in eight phases to elect 280 members in 20 districts from November 28 to December 22.

Sushma Swaraj: Extraordinary leader with many firsts

Sushma Swaraj: Extraordinary leader with many firsts

Rediff.com8 Aug 2019

The powerful orator leaves behind the legacy of an easily-accessible leader who played a key role in BJP's emergence in the late 1990s.

PLA Unrest: Why Xi Is Worried

PLA Unrest: Why Xi Is Worried

Rediff.com22 Sep 2021

Protests at this time when efforts are underway to strengthen the PLA and keep morale high would be worrying for the military leadership, observes Jayadeva Ranade, the retired senior RA&W officer and distinguished China expert.

Covid deaths: Govt can verify 5% ex-gratia claims in 4 states, says SC

Covid deaths: Govt can verify 5% ex-gratia claims in 4 states, says SC

Rediff.com24 Mar 2022

The government can verify 5 per cent of claims in four states -- Maharashtra, Kerala, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh -- where the gap between number of claims and recorded deaths was wide, said a bench of Justices M R Shah and B V Nagarathna.

Rahul, Prashant Kishor, 2 ministers among Pegasus 'targets'

Rahul, Prashant Kishor, 2 ministers among Pegasus 'targets'

Rediff.com19 Jul 2021

Former Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, Bharatiya Janata Party ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw and Prahlad Singh Patel, as also former election commissioner Ashok Lavasa and poll strategist Prashant Kishor were among those whose phone numbers were listed as potential targets for hacking through an Israeli spyware sold only to the government agencies, an international media consortium reported on Monday.