News for 'Small Island States'

Why 500,000 Indians Visited Vietnam

Why 500,000 Indians Visited Vietnam

Rediff.com3 Jul 2025

Stunning landscapes, natural beauty, clean beaches, cultural wealth, mouth-watering food, shopping options, safety for solo travellers, warm hospitality, easy visas, and connectivity make Vietnam a must-visit destination, discovers Ramesh Menon.

Cong's 'somersault' dig at Jaishankar over Katchatheevu row

Cong's 'somersault' dig at Jaishankar over Katchatheevu row

Rediff.com1 Apr 2024

Will Foreign Minister Mr. Jaishankar please refer to the RTI reply dated 27-1-2015...The Reply justified the circumstances under which India acknowledged that a small island belonged to Sri Lanka," Chidambaram said.

Copenhagen: India working on thorny provisions

Copenhagen: India working on thorny provisions

Rediff.com15 Dec 2009

Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has said that there have been some developments in the three provisions of the draft prepared under the Long Term Cooperative Action (LCA) track, which India presently finds "unacceptable".

Trump tariffs: 'This is not a tax cut, this is a tax hike'

Trump tariffs: 'This is not a tax cut, this is a tax hike'

Rediff.com3 Apr 2025

"These latest so-called 'Liberation Day' tariffs are reckless and self-destructive, inflicting financial pain on Illinois at a time when people are already struggling to keep their small businesses afloat and put food on the table."

FM unveils six new schemes, raises KCC limit to Rs 7 lakh

FM unveils six new schemes, raises KCC limit to Rs 7 lakh

Rediff.com1 Feb 2025

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday announced six new schemes and increased the subsidised Kisan Credit Card (KCC) loan limit to Rs 7 lakh from Rs 5 lakh, targeting everything from unemployment to crop productivity enhancement across the country. Presenting her eighth budget speech in Parliament, Sitharaman positioned agriculture as "the first engine of growth" and unveiled the Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, a flagship program targeting 100 agri-districts grappling with low productivity, moderate crop intensity, and below-average credit parameters.

New draft on UNSC expansion rejected

New draft on UNSC expansion rejected

Rediff.com19 Mar 2008

India on its part pointed out that the paper does not have the core elements of the position of the Group of Four comprising India, Japan, Germany and Brazil or have a "categorical and unambiguous" formulation on expanding the permanent membership of the council, diplomats said. India also said the paper does not have a formulation on increasing the representation of developing countries.

UNESCO Nominated: 12 Amazing Forts

UNESCO Nominated: 12 Amazing Forts

Rediff.com7 Feb 2024

Know the forts India has nominated to the UNESCO World Heritage list.

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

USTR Report Intensifies Trade Tensions With India

Rediff.com2 Apr 2025

The US Trade Representative noted that India's average applied tariff rate stood at 17% per cent, the highest of any major world economy.

India's 10 Prettiest Villages

India's 10 Prettiest Villages

Rediff.com4 Nov 2024

Here's your travel guide to exploring some of India's most beautiful villages.

Squid Game 2 Review: The Blood Sports Rage On

Squid Game 2 Review: The Blood Sports Rage On

Rediff.com27 Dec 2024

Squid Game 2 is almost a rehash of the earlier season, discovers Deepa Gahlot.

Assam floods: Over 6.71 lakh hit; IAF pressed into rescue

Assam floods: Over 6.71 lakh hit; IAF pressed into rescue

Rediff.com2 Jul 2024

Assam's flood situation remained critical on Tuesday with over 6.71 lakh people affected in 20 districts in the second wave of flooding this year, as the Indian Air Force (IAF) rescued 13 stranded fishermen from the severely-hit Dibrugarh district, an official said.

Back from China, Maldives Prez takes veiled dig at India

Back from China, Maldives Prez takes veiled dig at India

Rediff.com13 Jan 2024

Returning home after a five-day high-profile state visit to China, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Saturday struck a defiant note saying that his country may be small but 'doesn't give them the license to bully us'.

FDI from Cayman Islands to India jumps three-fold

FDI from Cayman Islands to India jumps three-fold

Rediff.com9 Jun 2020

Similarly, FDI from Cyprus too increased by about three-times to $879 million in the last financial year from $296 million in 2018-19.

One Month Of Trump: The World Is In Shock

One Month Of Trump: The World Is In Shock

Rediff.com20 Feb 2025

The US is currently Earth's most powerful country and a certain latitude of understanding -- a world view -- is popularly expected from its leadership. From a country identified with freedom, constitution, debate, democracy and the likes of Abraham Lincoln even as it had the most powerful military around, the US, following Trump's actions, seemed repositioned as militarily powerful with other qualities secondary, observes Shyam G Menon.

Why Subianto Is The R-Day Chief Guest

Why Subianto Is The R-Day Chief Guest

Rediff.com14 Jan 2025

India is trying hard to erase Indonesia's wariness about New Delhi, building security cooperation in the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean. If Indonesia decides to buy the Brahmos missile, it would further strengthen relations between the world's most populous nation and the most populous Islamic country.

What's so magical about this tiny island in Kerala?

What's so magical about this tiny island in Kerala?

Rediff.com30 Nov 2016

To be at Kakkathuruthu when the sun sets, according to National Geographic, is a surreal experience. Ambassador T P Sreenivasan tells us how the tiny island gradually charmed him.

'Kamala Has A Very Strong Connect With India'

'Kamala Has A Very Strong Connect With India'

Rediff.com6 Nov 2024

'This victory would mean a huge inspiration for the next generation who can say that coming from India I can be anybody I want to be if I work hard and acquire the right skills.' 'They could be the next President, members of the Senate, or another Sundar Pichai.'

Shivaji: Founder of the Indian secular State

Shivaji: Founder of the Indian secular State

Rediff.com19 Feb 2021

Shivaji made sure that his soldiers respected the sanctity of mosques and the Quran Sharif to ensure that his fight against the Mughals did not become fight against Islam, explains Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

Mahatma Carter

Mahatma Carter

Rediff.com9 Jan 2025

Carter was in politics, but not a politician, certainly not a transactional politician, points out Shreekant Sambrani.

'Kamala-Trump Race Is Very Close'

'Kamala-Trump Race Is Very Close'

Rediff.com4 Nov 2024

'If Trump wins the election, there's not going to be much turmoil.' 'But if he loses, he will not accept the results.' 'And if it is close, which I think it's going to be, he's going to contest it.' 'But at the end of the day, the truth will prevail.'

Indian islands to be developed under Swiss challenge model

Indian islands to be developed under Swiss challenge model

Rediff.com5 Oct 2015

Govt to soon appoint consultant to explore opportunities for shortlisted Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep island clusters.

Biggest, Smallest, Highest, Largest...

Biggest, Smallest, Highest, Largest...

Rediff.com20 Mar 2024

How much do you know about our country? Take this fun travel quiz.

Can 'Singham Anna' Deliver For The BJP?

Can 'Singham Anna' Deliver For The BJP?

Rediff.com17 Apr 2024

Annamalai has faced criticism for the breakup between the AIADMK and the BJP, but BJP leaders say 'he attracts youth, who needs change'.

1st group of Indian troops to be sent before March 10: Maldives Prez

1st group of Indian troops to be sent before March 10: Maldives Prez

Rediff.com5 Feb 2024

The President He said his administration will not allow any State agreements that may compromise the country's sovereignty, The Edition newspaper reported.

How Well Do You Know Lord Ganesha?

How Well Do You Know Lord Ganesha?

Rediff.com16 Sep 2024

A special quiz to mark the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi.

North America get taste of India-Pakistan rivalry!

North America get taste of India-Pakistan rivalry!

Rediff.com10 Jun 2024

A sold-out crowd descended on Eisenhower Park on Sunday for a clash of cricketing arch-rivals India and Pakistan.

What Do You Know About Our Monsoon?

What Do You Know About Our Monsoon?

Rediff.com2 Jul 2024

Brush up your facts on the Indian monsoon.

Modi meets Bill Gates; discusses climate change

Modi meets Bill Gates; discusses climate change

Rediff.com2 Nov 2021

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Microsoft co-founder and billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates on the sidelines of the climate summit here and discussed ways to further sustainable development, steps to mitigate climate change and vaccine research. The meeting between Modi and the American business magnate, whose foundation is focusing on fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, took place after the former launched the Initiative for the Resilient Island States (IRIS) for developing infrastructure of small island nations. Prime Minister Modi expressed appreciation for the work being done by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.

Will Olympics pushback affect 2022 CWG?

Will Olympics pushback affect 2022 CWG?

Rediff.com25 Mar 2020

Commonwealth Games: CGF seeking to avoid fixture clashes with Birmingham 2022

Why Modi's visit to Fiji Islands is timely

Why Modi's visit to Fiji Islands is timely

Rediff.com18 Nov 2014

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who will be the second Indian prime minister to visit Fiji after Indira Gandhi, comes at a time when the islands are moving to consolidate the new democratic system

Review: Island City is a compelling film about Mumbai

Review: Island City is a compelling film about Mumbai

Rediff.com6 Sep 2016

Island City should not be missed, raves Aseem Chhabra.

Video: Jaishankar recalls when Modi asked him 'Jaage ho?'

Video: Jaishankar recalls when Modi asked him 'Jaage ho?'

Rediff.com23 Sep 2022

External Affairs minister S Jaishankar in New York praised the leadership skills of Prime Minister Narendra Modi while recalling the attack on the Mazar-e-Sharif in Afghanistan near the Indian consulate and while India was coordinating evacuations from the country.

The World's First Suicide Bomber

The World's First Suicide Bomber

Rediff.com21 Oct 2024

On the night of July 5, the Tigers launched their first kamikaze operation. Miller took the wheels of the explosive-packed truck, smiled at everyone as he turned the ignition key and drove it slowly towards the Sri Lankan military camp. A few moments later all of Jaffna heard a thunderous explosion that brought the complex crashing down in clouds of dust. Miller had given birth to a deadly tactic that Prabhakaran would employ time and again with devastating consequences to Sri Lanka -- and India. A fascinating excerpt from M R Narayan Swamy's must read new book, The Rout Of Prabhakaran.

'Against Trump, Kamala Is Formidable'

'Against Trump, Kamala Is Formidable'

Rediff.com30 Jul 2024

'Just think about it. She's a prosecutor, he's a convicted felon. I love that juxtaposition.' 'She's a woman, and she's black and South Asian. He's a white guy who grew up with enormous [wealth].' 'She grew up in a very average, lower middle class/middle class kind of setting with a single mother.'

'Maldives must make stronger statement to repair India relations'

'Maldives must make stronger statement to repair India relations'

Rediff.com10 Jan 2024

On being asked if the ongoing spat between the two countries is going to have an impact on the India-Maldives ties, as well the revenue that Indian tourists have generated for the island nation over the years, the Maldivian leader, who was also the former Minister of Economic Development of Maldives, asserted that it is much more than economics or revenue.

Japan-Philippines Send Strong Message To China

Japan-Philippines Send Strong Message To China

Rediff.com23 Jul 2024

The trigger that led Japan and the Philippines to ink the deal was because of the deteriorating security situation in the South China Sea. China's coast guard increased the frequency and intensity of incursions into Philippine waters, provoking the Philippines to take countermeasures to deter China, explains Dr Rajaram Panda.

Maldivian Prez praises Xi, China amid row with India

Maldivian Prez praises Xi, China amid row with India

Rediff.com15 Jan 2024

During his just-concluded visit to China, Muizzu, regarded as a pro-China leader, sought to align Maldives closer to Beijing and both countries elevated their ties to a strategic partnership.

China 'firmly opposes external interference' in Maldives

China 'firmly opposes external interference' in Maldives

Rediff.com12 Jan 2024

'The two sides agree to continue firmly supporting each other in safeguarding their respective core interests,' a joint statement issued at the end of Muizzu's talks with Chinese leaders said.

10 small economies hold 85% of $15 trn phantom FDI

10 small economies hold 85% of $15 trn phantom FDI

Rediff.com11 Sep 2019

Phantom FDI refers to investments that pass through shell companies that have no real business activities and are tailor-made to cut tax liabilities.

Muizzu strikes reconciliatory tone, says India closest ally, seeks debt relief

Muizzu strikes reconciliatory tone, says India closest ally, seeks debt relief

Rediff.com22 Mar 2024

On Thursday, in his first interview with the local media since assuming office, Muizzu said India was instrumental in providing aid to the Maldives and has implemented the "greatest number" of projects.