News for 'South Asia'

How India Can Achieve A USD 55 Trillion Economy By 2047

How India Can Achieve A USD 55 Trillion Economy By 2047

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

Former Chief Economic Adviser Krishnamurthy V Subramanian outlines India's strategy to become a USD 55 trillion economy by 2047. The plan hinges on leveraging its young demographic in AI, dominating sunrise sectors like space and defence tech, attracting FDI, and achieving sustained 8% GDP growth.

China won't support India's permanent UNSC seat bid: Former US NSA

China won't support India's permanent UNSC seat bid: Former US NSA

Rediff.com24 Sep 2026

Former US National Security Adviser John Bolton has stated that China is not prepared to back India's bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council. He highlighted that any expansion of permanent membership would require a UN Charter amendment, which China could veto. Bolton also discussed the broader institutional challenges facing the UN and suggested that regime change in Iran is crucial for long-term stability in West Asia, linking Houthi attacks to Iran's "ring of fire" strategy.

Which Indian City Had More Than 1 Lakh People In The 1700s?

Which Indian City Had More Than 1 Lakh People In The 1700s?

Rediff.com3 Oct 2026

An urban map of the largest cities in the world, by population, in the early 1700s looked almost empty by today's standards.

Harmanpreet Kaur Redefined Women's Cricket

Harmanpreet Kaur Redefined Women's Cricket

Rediff.com7 Oct 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur's career has been defined by landmark innings, record-breaking longevity and milestones that have mirrored the rise of Indian women's cricket.

Al-Qaeda behind Red Fort terror attack that killed 15: UN report

Al-Qaeda behind Red Fort terror attack that killed 15: UN report

Rediff.com13 Aug 2026

A new UN Security Council report has 'officially attributed' the November 2025 Red Fort terror attack in New Delhi, which killed about 15 people, to Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS). The report highlights AQIS's evolution into a regional terrorist entity and its efforts to establish networks.

How Western Disturbances Influence North India's Winter Air Pollution

How Western Disturbances Influence North India's Winter Air Pollution

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

A new study reveals that approximately 70 per cent of the year-to-year variation in winter air pollution across northern India can be explained by the frequency of western disturbances. These storm systems, originating from the Mediterranean, help clear pollution through precipitation and ventilation. The findings suggest that predicting the frequency of these disturbances could provide advance warning of severe pollution, allowing for better preparedness and implementation of control measures.

'India Doesn't Need To Fear Turkish Or Saudi Interventions In A Future India-Pakistan Conflict'

'India Doesn't Need To Fear Turkish Or Saudi Interventions In A Future India-Pakistan Conflict'

Rediff.com2 Sep 2026

'It beggars belief that Saudi Arabia would deploy military force against India, a top partner and market.'

Crude Oil Surge, Geopolitical Worries Drive Sensex Down 1,124 Points

Crude Oil Surge, Geopolitical Worries Drive Sensex Down 1,124 Points

Rediff.com28 Sep 2026

Indian stock markets experienced a significant downturn, with the Sensex plunging 1,124 points to a six-month low and the Nifty closing below 22,800, driven by surging crude oil prices, escalating geopolitical uncertainties, and weak global market trends.

Goa Welcomes Asia-Oceania's Top Bridge Players For 5th Asia Cup

Goa Welcomes Asia-Oceania's Top Bridge Players For 5th Asia Cup

Rediff.com15 Jun 2026

Goa is set to host the 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championship from June 21 to 27, attracting 350 players from 16 Asia-Oceania countries. India, having previously hosted in 2018, will field strong 'A' and 'B' teams across various categories, including Asian Games medallists, aiming to add to its 20 previous medals.

How Cyclones Impact Deep Coastal Aquifers

How Cyclones Impact Deep Coastal Aquifers

Rediff.com6 Oct 2026

A recent study by IIT Kharagpur researchers reveals that powerful cyclones can significantly impact groundwater quality up to 100 metres below the surface in deep coastal aquifers. Conducted in the climate-vulnerable Sundarbans region, the research highlights how extreme weather events disturb the freshwater-seawater balance, threatening drinking water security and necessitating depth-specific groundwater management strategies.

MEA Clarifies India's Participation In SAF Games 2027

MEA Clarifies India's Participation In SAF Games 2027

Rediff.com8 Sep 2026

The Ministry of External Affairs stated that India's participation in the 2027 SAF Games in Pakistan will be guided by the sports ministry's policy, which permits Indian athletes to compete in events with Pakistani participants and vice-versa. Separately, the MEA also commented on the ongoing legal proceedings for seven foreign nationals, including a US citizen and six Ukrainians, who were recently chargesheeted by the NIA for illegal entry and movement, though not under UAPA at this stage.

CM Mann Reviews Preparations For Asian Champions Trophy

CM Mann Reviews Preparations For Asian Champions Trophy

Rediff.com7 days ago

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has issued directives to various departments to ensure top-tier arrangements for the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, set to take place in Jalandhar and Mohali from October 27 to November 5. Mann emphasised the need for world-class facilities, robust security, and comprehensive crowd management, while also calling for a statewide trophy tour and student participation to foster public enthusiasm and showcase Punjab's rich sporting heritage. He personally inspected venues and stressed the importance of cleanliness, beautification, and hospitality for international delegations.

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Up on Easing West Asia Tensions, Drop in Crude Oil Prices

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Up on Easing West Asia Tensions, Drop in Crude Oil Prices

Rediff.com27 Jul 2026

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty saw a significant rebound in early trade, driven by a sharp decline in crude oil prices and easing geopolitical tensions in the West Asia, which improved market sentiment and reduced inflation fears. Track Sensex, Nifty on July 27.

Asian Games: Ganesh misses gold but fires India to archery bronze

Asian Games: Ganesh misses gold but fires India to archery bronze

Rediff.com1 Oct 2026

Indian compound archer Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru clinched the men's individual bronze medal at the Asian Games, defeating Vietnam's Cong Duc Dang. This follows his gold medal win with the men's team. Thirumuru expressed pride in securing India's first individual compound medal at the event and reflected on his performance and future aspirations.

Iran, UAE agree to 'put past behind' after talks at BRICS

Iran, UAE agree to 'put past behind' after talks at BRICS

Rediff.com13 Sep 2026

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian concluded his visit to India for the 18th BRICS Summit, announcing that Iran and the UAE agreed to move past previous tensions. This diplomatic breakthrough occurred during talks with Abu Dhabi's Crown Prince on the summit sidelines. Pezeshkian also met with PM Modi to discuss bilateral ties and West Asia developments, with Modi emphasising dialogue for regional peace. The BRICS summit adopted the New Delhi Declaration 2026, calling for global governance reforms and de-escalation in West Asia.

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Slump on West Asia Tensions, Oil Price Rise

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Slump on West Asia Tensions, Oil Price Rise

Rediff.com13 Jul 2026

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced a significant slump in early trade, driven by escalating tensions in West Asia and a sharp rise in crude oil prices, alongside a bearish trend in other Asian markets.

Sensex, Nifty end in red on US Tariffs, West Asia Tensions

Sensex, Nifty end in red on US Tariffs, West Asia Tensions

Rediff.com24 Jul 2026

Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, recorded their fifth consecutive day of losses, driven by investor caution over rising oil prices due to West Asia tensions and renewed concerns regarding US trade tariffs.

Civil Aviation Minister Highlights Immense Opportunities For MSMEs In India's Booming Aviation Sector

Civil Aviation Minister Highlights Immense Opportunities For MSMEs In India's Booming Aviation Sector

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu announced significant opportunities for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) within India's rapidly expanding aviation sector. With Indian airlines ordering over 1,600 aircraft and the aerospace market projected to double by 2035, there's a massive scope for Indian suppliers to integrate into global aerospace supply chains, moving beyond assembly to design and manufacturing.

Asian Games Organisers Downplay Accommodation Issues, Blame 'Politicisation'

Asian Games Organisers Downplay Accommodation Issues, Blame 'Politicisation'

Rediff.com18 Sep 2026

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has dismissed concerns about organisational chaos at the Asian Games, attributing criticisms to attempts to "politicise" the event. Despite widespread issues like accommodation scarcity, lengthy check-ins, and athlete complaints, OCA officials insist challenges are normal and are being handled effectively. They also addressed a diplomatic complaint from South Korea regarding a historical figure at a welcome ceremony and defended cost-saving measures like container-style accommodation.

Indian Equities Extend Losses as West Asia Tensions Fuel Crude Oil Price Hike

Indian Equities Extend Losses as West Asia Tensions Fuel Crude Oil Price Hike

Rediff.com23 Jul 2026

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty extended their losses for the fourth consecutive session, with the Sensex declining 363.66 points and the Nifty dipping 126.65 points, primarily due to a sharp jump in Brent crude oil prices to USD 98.32 per barrel amid escalating tensions in West Asia.

Rohit-Gill or Jaiswal? Coach reveals India's ODI plan

Rohit-Gill or Jaiswal? Coach reveals India's ODI plan

Rediff.com26 Sep 2026

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak confirmed Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill as the preferred opening pair, while urging Yashasvi Jaiswal to continue working hard for his opportunities. Kotak also highlighted the invaluable experience of senior players like Rohit, Kohli, and Jadeja in preparing the team for the 2027 World Cup, emphasising a series-by-series planning approach. He also confirmed Shubman Gill's fitness for the upcoming match.

Asian Games: India's Medal Dip And Emerging Sporting Strengths

Asian Games: India's Medal Dip And Emerging Sporting Strengths

Rediff.com4 Oct 2026

India finished fourth at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with 85 medals, a significant dip from the previous edition's record haul. While traditional strongholds like shooting and athletics underperformed, breakthroughs in archery, wrestling, golf, boxing, hockey, and cricket showcased a broadening sporting base. The performance serves as a reality check on sustaining progress towards top global rankings and highlights areas for improvement in mental conditioning and preparation.

Harmanpreet's contribution will always hold a special place in Indian cricket: BCCI

Harmanpreet's contribution will always hold a special place in Indian cricket: BCCI

Rediff.com6 Oct 2026

Harmanpreet Kaur has stepped down as the captain of the Indian women's cricket team across all formats, a decision acknowledged by the BCCI which lauded her leadership, particularly the 2025 Women's World Cup victory and Asian Games gold medals. Kaur expressed her commitment to continue playing for India, contributing as a senior player.

'Honest debrief' after win over Pak pushed India to gold: Fulton

'Honest debrief' after win over Pak pushed India to gold: Fulton

Rediff.com3 Oct 2026

Indian men's hockey head coach Craig Fulton revealed that the hard-fought semi-final victory over arch-rivals Pakistan significantly boosted the team's confidence, leading to their dominant 5-1 win against Malaysia in the Asian Games final and securing a berth for the 2028 Olympics.

BRICS summit begins at 2.35 pm on Saturday, ends with New Delhi declaration on Sunday

BRICS summit begins at 2.35 pm on Saturday, ends with New Delhi declaration on Sunday

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

India is hosting the BRICS summit, leveraging the platform to address global trade tensions and champion the developmental priorities of the Global South, including food, energy, and supply chain security. The summit, attended by leaders like President Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, will focus on resilience, innovation, cooperation, and sustainability, with India aiming to strengthen intra-BRICS collaboration and discuss global matters. The expanded BRICS grouping represents a significant portion of the world's population and GDP, making its discussions crucial for global economic stability.

Wars, tariffs test BRICS unity as leaders gather in Delhi

Wars, tariffs test BRICS unity as leaders gather in Delhi

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

The BRICS summit in New Delhi brings together leaders from major emerging economies to address global challenges like trade disputes, geopolitical upheavals, and the economic impact of conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. India, as chair, aims to position BRICS as an economic growth engine, focusing on the Global South's food, energy, and supply chain security. The summit also highlights the grouping's expansion and its growing influence in global governance.

Indian sports ministry seeks diaspora support for Asian Games lodging

Indian sports ministry seeks diaspora support for Asian Games lodging

Rediff.com18 Sep 2026

The Indian Sports Ministry has sought assistance from the Indian diaspora in Nagoya to help with athlete accommodation at the Asian Games, as several Indian and other athletes have faced delays and issues with their designated lodging due to a lack of a dedicated athletes' village.

Indian Markets Tumble as West Asia Tensions Drive Oil Prices Higher

Indian Markets Tumble as West Asia Tensions Drive Oil Prices Higher

Rediff.com14 Jul 2026

Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, experienced a significant downturn as escalating tensions in West Asia led to a sharp surge in crude oil prices, coupled with fresh foreign fund outflows and a weakening rupee.

Pincky Balhara makes history with second Asiad medal

Pincky Balhara makes history with second Asiad medal

Rediff.com28 Sep 2026

Pincky Balhara secured a bronze medal in the women's 78kg Kurash event at the Asian Games, making her the first Indian to win two medals in the sport at the continental showpiece. Despite battling a knee injury sustained in the quarterfinals, Balhara fought valiantly before losing to South Korea's Sumin Mo in the semifinals. This achievement adds to her silver medal from the 2018 Jakarta Games.

HDFC Bank, West Asia Crisis Pull Sensex, Nifty Down

HDFC Bank, West Asia Crisis Pull Sensex, Nifty Down

Rediff.com21 Jul 2026

Indian benchmark indices, Sensex and Nifty, extended their losses for a second consecutive day, primarily due to HDFC Bank's disappointing quarterly earnings and escalating tensions in West Asia, coupled with persistent foreign fund outflows.

AI Is Changing Work, Not Cutting Jobs

AI Is Changing Work, Not Cutting Jobs

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

'It requires new skilling, new ways of working, and new structures. That's the reality.'

India's AI Professionals Redefine Workflows, Outpacing Global Peers

India's AI Professionals Redefine Workflows, Outpacing Global Peers

Rediff.com3 Sep 2026

A Microsoft Work Trend Index report reveals India has the highest share of "Frontier Professionals" globally, with 32% of its AI users employing AI agents in multi-step workflows, double the global average. Indian professionals are not just adopting AI but are actively redesigning work processes, demonstrating strong leadership alignment and a focus on human oversight and critical thinking. Major Indian IT firms like Infosys, TCS, and Wipro show rapid adoption and significant productivity gains with Microsoft 365 Copilot.

'Start afresh': Coach Fulton reveals India hockey's LA 2028 plan

'Start afresh': Coach Fulton reveals India hockey's LA 2028 plan

Rediff.com5 Oct 2026

Following the Indian men's hockey team's historic Asian Games gold and direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, Head Coach Craig Fulton revealed plans to 'build a new team afresh' after the Hockey India League, emphasising the need for meticulous planning for the upcoming Games.

India Is Ageing Faster Than US

India Is Ageing Faster Than US

Rediff.com30 Sep 2026

'While the population remains relatively young, its age structure is beginning to shift, setting the stage for a much older population later this century.'

How Pakistan Semifinal Win Fueled India's Asian Games Hockey Gold

How Pakistan Semifinal Win Fueled India's Asian Games Hockey Gold

Rediff.com3 Oct 2026

Indian men's hockey coach Craig Fulton revealed that the tough semifinal victory against Pakistan was crucial in preparing the team for their dominant 5-1 win over Malaysia in the Asian Games final. This victory secured India's gold medal and a direct qualification for the 2028 Olympics. Senior player Hardik Singh also expressed relief and pride in the team's performance after a disappointing World Cup.

Saudi warns Houthis as drone intercepted over Mecca

Saudi warns Houthis as drone intercepted over Mecca

Rediff.com16 Sep 2026

The Saudi-led coalition issued a stern warning to Yemen's Houthi rebels after intercepting a drone targeting Mecca, Islam's holiest city. Describing it as a "hostile and terrorist act," the coalition declared the security of holy sites a "red line" and vowed deterrent measures. This incident marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict, with both sides exchanging accusations of military operations and civilian targeting.

Wholesale Inflation Hits 9.92% in August, Driven by Food, Fuel, Manufactured Goods

Wholesale Inflation Hits 9.92% in August, Driven by Food, Fuel, Manufactured Goods

Rediff.com14 Sep 2026

India's wholesale price-based inflation (WPI) increased to 9.92 per cent in August, up from 9.78 per cent in July, primarily due to rising prices across food, manufactured items, and fuel and power sectors.

South Asia: It Is Climate Change, Stupid

South Asia: It Is Climate Change, Stupid

Rediff.com21 Sep 2024

India should encourage the second coming of SAARC with climate change as an urgent agenda and keeping Indian security concerns in mind as the subtext, suggest Lieutenant General Ashok Joshi (retd) and Colonel Anil Athale (retd).

How AI And Cloud Are Democratising Capabilities For Indian Businesses

How AI And Cloud Are Democratising Capabilities For Indian Businesses

Rediff.com7 Sep 2026

Arundhati Bhattacharya, Salesforce President and CEO for South Asia, stated that cloud and AI are democratising capabilities, offering India a unique opportunity to leapfrog in technology. Speaking at the IMC Chamber of Commerce, she emphasised that AI will create more jobs and urged Indian businesses to transform using technology, rather than merely digitising. She also highlighted the significant economic potential of AI adoption for India.

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Sink as Brent Breaches $108/barrel

Stock Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Sink as Brent Breaches $108/barrel

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced significant declines in early trade, driven by soaring crude oil prices amidst escalating tensions in West Asia, coupled with weak global market trends and foreign fund outflows.