News for 'Policy and Planning and International Coordination Committee'

Bindra report exposes flaws in India's sports administration

Bindra report exposes flaws in India's sports administration

Rediff.com30 Dec 2025

'Neither SAI nor state departments have a dedicated sports administration service. Instead, roles are filled by generalist civil servants or contractual staff, often lacking sector-specific expertise.'

Naxal-hit districts down to three from six: Home Ministry

Naxal-hit districts down to three from six: Home Ministry

Rediff.com15 Oct 2025

The Ministry of Home Affairs reports a significant reduction in the number of districts most affected by Naxalism, highlighting the government's efforts to combat Left Wing Extremism.

Journalist mistakenly added to Trump's Yemen war plans group

Journalist mistakenly added to Trump's Yemen war plans group

Rediff.com25 Mar 2025

Security experts have warned that using Signal for discussions of this nature violates every established protocol for handling classified information.

Why Kerala Opposes Sand Sea Mining

Why Kerala Opposes Sand Sea Mining

Rediff.com19 Apr 2025

If as critics point out, the environmental impact assessment study was commissioned only after the auction process got underway with not all the stakeholders getting to know of it, then the government has already compromised the trust it could have enjoyed with Kerala's public including its coastal communities, points out Shyam G Menon.

Lay down arms or else...: Amit Shah warns Naxals

Lay down arms or else...: Amit Shah warns Naxals

Rediff.com20 Sep 2024

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Friday appealed to Naxals to give up violence, lay down arms and surrender, saying an all-out operation will otherwise be carried out against them.

ATMs to loans: All eyes on the road for finance world

ATMs to loans: All eyes on the road for finance world

Rediff.com6 Jan 2025

In the Union Budget for Financial Year 2023-24 (FY24), Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had held forth on the need for better governance and investor protection in the banking sector. She had proposed certain amendments to the Reserve Bank of India Act (RBI Act), 1934; the Banking Regulation Act (BR Act), 1949; and the Banking Companies (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertakings) Act, 1970.

India Needs A National Security Strategy

India Needs A National Security Strategy

Rediff.com4 Oct 2024

The National Security Strategy document should flag all major issues concerning security strategy and provide guidelines to concerned departments to work out suitable action plans. Since the global and regional geopolitical canvas is dynamic, the NSS document should be deliberated at length before formulation and should be reviewed periodically, recommends Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Union cabinet gives go ahead to 'one nation, one poll'

Union cabinet gives go ahead to 'one nation, one poll'

Rediff.com18 Sep 2024

The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the proposal for 'one nation, one Election' as recommended by the Kovind panel, Union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said on Wednesday.

Has India Changed Its Tibet Policy?

Has India Changed Its Tibet Policy?

Rediff.com18 May 2022

One priority for Delhi (for the new foreign secretary in particular) is to have an in-depth discussion with Dharamsala as soon as possible, suggests Claude Arpi.

US House panel wants India to be part of NATO Plus

US House panel wants India to be part of NATO Plus

Rediff.com27 May 2023

In its set of recommendations, the China Committee said that economic sanctions against China in case of an attack on Taiwan will be most effective if key allies such as G7, NATO, NATO+5, and Quad members join, and negotiating a joint response and broadcasting this message publicly have the added benefit of enhancing deterrence.

After quake, Nepal grapples with post-disaster diseases

After quake, Nepal grapples with post-disaster diseases

Rediff.com29 Apr 2015

Diseases like diarrhoea and respiratory infections are a major concern in quake-hit Nepal.

Putin's North Korea Gamble

Putin's North Korea Gamble

Rediff.com26 Jun 2024

Russia's unprecedented rapprochement with North Korea has raised concerns about the re-emergence of a Russia-China-North Korea alliance which could increase the probability of conflict on the Korean Peninsula, explains Dr Rajaram Panda.

Quality Control Orders: What does this mean for domestic industry?

Quality Control Orders: What does this mean for domestic industry?

Rediff.com25 Apr 2024

From toys, footwear and furniture to insulated flasks, smart meters, and air coolers - the Central government over the last decade has mandated higher standards for production and imports of such items. Sample this: Till 2014, there were 14 Quality Control Orders (QCOs) covering 106 products. By the latest count, there are 156 QCOs on 672 products.

Vinay Mohan Kwatra is India's next foreign secretary

Vinay Mohan Kwatra is India's next foreign secretary

Rediff.com5 Apr 2022

Known to be having extensive expertise in dealing with India's neighbourhood as well as the US, China and Europe, the 1988-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer pipped nearly half-a-dozen others in the race for the coveted post including Indian High Commissioner to UK Gaitri Issar Kumar (1986-batch IFS) and Ruchira Kamboj (1987 batch IFS).

Dalai Lama successor must be from within China, needs govt nod: Beijing

Dalai Lama successor must be from within China, needs govt nod: Beijing

Rediff.com10 Nov 2023

Though Beijing asserts the Dalai Lama's successor needs its approval, observers say it remains concerned as the present Panchen Lama, the number two spiritual leader who was appointed by it after unseating the boy nominated by the Dalai Lama, has not gained much traction in Tibet.

Citing National Security, India Bans Chinese Cos

Citing National Security, India Bans Chinese Cos

Rediff.com8 Jun 2023

The government believes firms which are subject to China's laws could be forced to hand over information to Beijing's security services.

SC rejects pleas seeking probe into R Day violence

SC rejects pleas seeking probe into R Day violence

Rediff.com3 Feb 2021

The Supreme Court Wednesday refused to entertain pleas seeking time-bound probe, including by an apex court-appointed commission, into the tractor rally violence in the national capital on the Republic Day saying the government is already inquiring the matter and the Prime Minister has stated that law will take its own course.

Two petitions filed in SC over tractor rally violence

Two petitions filed in SC over tractor rally violence

Rediff.com27 Jan 2021

Two pleas were filed in the Supreme Court on Wednesday over the tractor rally violence on Republic Day, with one seeking the setting up of a commission, headed by a retired apex court judge, to inquire into the incident, while the other urged it to direct the media not to declare farmers as "terrorist" without any evidence.

US Influence in Afghanistan has touched Ground Zero

US Influence in Afghanistan has touched Ground Zero

Rediff.com26 Aug 2021

A confrontation with the Taliban in Kabul in this fading light of a twilight zone would have been sheer madness, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

'Modi wants farmers to work for corporates'

'Modi wants farmers to work for corporates'

Rediff.com5 Jun 2018

'The policy is to consolidate farming into the hands of a few and to take away the food security of the country.' 'Once food is in the hands of 15 chosen corporate houses, you will get food, but at a price that they determine.'

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.

How to prevent another 26/11

How to prevent another 26/11

Rediff.com30 Nov 2018

'The government must covertly eliminate the leaders of terrorist organisations abroad so as to eliminate the problem at its roots,' recommends Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd).

Airspace stimulus to save over Rs 1,000-crore in jet fuel costs

Airspace stimulus to save over Rs 1,000-crore in jet fuel costs

Rediff.com25 Nov 2020

Aviation turbine fuel accounts for 35-40 per cent of the total operating cost of an Indian airline.

Court humare kabze mein...: Shah on CBI, ED 'misuse'

Court humare kabze mein...: Shah on CBI, ED 'misuse'

Rediff.com14 Feb 2023

Shah said that the people of the country will decide about the principal opposition party to BJP in the 2024 polls and they have not given this label to any party.

India won't withdraw from G20 currency pool

India won't withdraw from G20 currency pool

Rediff.com7 Sep 2013

A day after BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) nations agreed on a $100-billion foreign currency reserve pool to tackle the volatile foreign exchange markets, India on Friday said the pool would act as a buffer arrangement, adding it might not withdraw anything from this reserve.

India's National Security is being transformed

India's National Security is being transformed

Rediff.com22 Oct 2018

Prime Minister Modi felt there were too many silos with no arrangement to take a comprehensive view on national security. The PM has entrusted NSA Ajit Doval to evolve a comprehensive roadmap and get it implemented, reveals Nitin Gokhale, Editor-in-Chief, Strategic News International.

Inter-State Council meet: PM to interact with CMs on July 16

Inter-State Council meet: PM to interact with CMs on July 16

Rediff.com7 Jul 2016

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet chief ministers on July 16 to discuss a host of issues, including inter-state relations, internal security and atrocities on SC and STs.

Wanted! A National Security Strategy

Wanted! A National Security Strategy

Rediff.com31 May 2021

India's national security strategy needs to be revised periodically since the global and regional geopolitical situation is dynamic, points out Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Taliban Govt: ISI Has The Last Laugh

Taliban Govt: ISI Has The Last Laugh

Rediff.com8 Sep 2021

ISI chief Faiz Hameed coerced the Taliban to announce an interim government guaranteed to preserve Pakistan's control over the levers of power in Kabul, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

If there are 70,000 cases in May...Mumbai is ready

If there are 70,000 cases in May...Mumbai is ready

Rediff.com2 May 2020

'Our preparation is based on ICMR projections, whatever preparations we have to make.' 'If they project around 70,000 is the maximum number of hospital cases by mid-May or May 30, we are preparing accordingly -- how many people will need hospitalisation.'

Modi in Israel: Why you should care

Modi in Israel: Why you should care

Rediff.com30 Jun 2017

'Previous governments in India had reservations about working with Israel.' 'Modi has shed this tag.' 'Disengaging itself from its traditional and ideological foreign policy approach in the Middle East shall serve India's long-term interests.' Rajaram Panda explains why the significance of Modi's visit to the Jewish nation goes beyond markers like the first-ever visit to Israel by an Indian PM and 25 years of diplomatic ties.

Will General Bakshi be India's first CDS?

Will General Bakshi be India's first CDS?

Rediff.com19 Dec 2016

'In the present era of strategic uncertainty and rapidly changing threats, no military professional now disputes the unavoidable necessity of a joint planning staff for the planning and conduct of joint operations so that integrated operations can be planned 'top down',' says Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd).

Gambhir, top officials skip key meeting on pollution

Gambhir, top officials skip key meeting on pollution

Rediff.com15 Nov 2019

Top officials of the environment ministry, Delhi Development Authority and municipal commissioners also stayed away from the deliberations.

'Revive the Railways? Go back to the 1950s' model'

'Revive the Railways? Go back to the 1950s' model'

Rediff.com13 Jul 2015

'There is tension between the zones all the time.'

Tibet developments may put pressure on India

Tibet developments may put pressure on India

Rediff.com7 Jan 2018

Samdong Rimpoche's visit to China materialised against the backdrop of strained India-China relations consequent to the face-off between Indian and Chinese troops at Doklam, says former RAW officer Jayadeva Ranade.

COVID-19 can reset wrongs done to invisible millions

COVID-19 can reset wrongs done to invisible millions

Rediff.com23 Jun 2020

'The Modi government must create conditions to integrate millions into the rural economy as many migrants are certainly not going to return to live an undignified life,' notes Ramesh Menon.

US slaps new sanctions on Iran after missile test

US slaps new sanctions on Iran after missile test

Rediff.com3 Feb 2017

The ballistic missile launch was the first by Iran since Trump became President.

India to set up separate ASEAN Mission; FTA by year-end: PM

India to set up separate ASEAN Mission; FTA by year-end: PM

Rediff.com10 Oct 2013

Eyeing greater cooperation with South East Asian countries on economic and security issues, India on Thursday announced a separate Mission for ASEAN region to be set up in Jakarta with a full-time resident Ambassador.

Why the rising value of the dollar is bad news for America

Why the rising value of the dollar is bad news for America

Rediff.com24 Jan 2017

Abheek Barua & Bidisha Ganguly explain why the US treasury should intervene if the overvalued greenback continues to rise.

How Stalin is different from Karunanidhi, Jaya

How Stalin is different from Karunanidhi, Jaya

Rediff.com29 May 2021

Unlike the regimes of Jayalalitha, Palaniswami and Karunanidhi, ministers are actually getting to make decisions on their own, with the unmentioned rider that they would be held responsible and accountable, observes N Sathiya Moorthy.