News for 'South Asia'

Maruti Suzuki's Q1 net profit falls 9% despite sales jump, as West Asia conflict drives up costs

Maruti Suzuki's Q1 net profit falls 9% despite sales jump, as West Asia conflict drives up costs

Rediff.com1 Aug 2026

Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) reported a 9.1 per cent year-on-year decline in net profit for the April-June quarter of 2026-27, marking its second consecutive quarterly fall. This dip occurred despite a significant 29.3 per cent jump in sales volume, primarily due to escalating commodity prices, increased energy costs, and logistics disruptions stemming from the West Asia conflict.

How India's Real-Time Payments Can Create Global Fintech Giants

How India's Real-Time Payments Can Create Global Fintech Giants

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

Razorpay CEO Harshil Mathur highlights India's leadership in real-time payments, stating it can foster numerous billion-dollar fintech companies capable of expanding globally. He draws parallels with the US internet boom and discusses how India's unique regulatory and private sector collaboration, exemplified by UPI, can be replicated in other emerging markets. Mathur also touches upon the opportunities and risks associated with leveraging AI in business.

BRICS 2026: India's Chance To Make Diplomatic Gains

BRICS 2026: India's Chance To Make Diplomatic Gains

Rediff.com7 days ago

For India, the goal is not simply to host another grand diplomatic gathering. It is to prove that a diverse coalition of emerging powers can still deliver.

Goa Welcomes Asia's Top Bridge Players For Championship

Goa Welcomes Asia's Top Bridge Players For Championship

Rediff.com20 Jun 2026

The 5th Bonus Asia Cup Bridge Championships are set to begin in Goa, featuring nearly 300 players from 16 countries. Defending champions India will compete across various categories, facing strong contenders like Hong Kong and Indonesia. The event, described as the "Asian Games of bridge," highlights India's growing role in the sport.

4.9 million children died before turning five in 2024: Journal

4.9 million children died before turning five in 2024: Journal

Rediff.com12 Jun 2026

A new series of research papers in The British Medical Journal reveals that global progress in reducing preventable deaths among newborn babies and children has slowed substantially since 2015, with an estimated 4.9 million children dying before age five in 2024, including 2.3 million neonatal deaths.

Mukesh Ambani: 'When Women of India Rise, India Rises'

Mukesh Ambani: 'When Women of India Rise, India Rises'

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

'When the women of India become unstoppable, India becomes unstoppable.'

Gulf tensions drive NRI luxury home investments back to India

Gulf tensions drive NRI luxury home investments back to India

Rediff.com2 Sep 2026

Non-resident Indians are increasingly investing in luxury homes in India, driven by geopolitical uncertainties, particularly the Iran war. This trend is observed across major cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, and the National Capital Region, with developers noting a significant rise in NRI pre-sales. While some see it as a temporary shift, others believe India is becoming a stable, long-term investment destination for NRIs, especially those from West Asia.

Why Bangladesh Matters For India's Future

Why Bangladesh Matters For India's Future

Rediff.com28 Jul 2026

For India, the guiding principle should remain clear: Engage Bangladesh as a sovereign nation and society rather than through the prism of any individual leader or political party, suggests Manoj Mohanka.

Indian Esports Contingent Gears Up For Asian Games With Professional Training

Indian Esports Contingent Gears Up For Asian Games With Professional Training

Rediff.com10 Sep 2026

Indian esports athletes are rigorously training for the Asian Games in Nagoya, aiming for medals and challenging the traditional perception of gaming as merely a leisure activity. With professional support and coaching, players are balancing academics and intense practice, hoping to elevate esports to mainstream sporting status in India.

Indian Gymnast Pranati Nayak Eyes Maiden Asian Games Medal

Indian Gymnast Pranati Nayak Eyes Maiden Asian Games Medal

Rediff.com2 days ago

Indian gymnast Pranati Nayak, the sole representative from India, is set to compete in her fourth Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, aiming for her first medal.

Putin reaches Delhi for BRICS summit, to meet Modi today

Putin reaches Delhi for BRICS summit, to meet Modi today

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin has arrived in India for a three-day visit to attend the BRICS summit and hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on expanding trade, investment, and energy cooperation amidst global geopolitical challenges.

Chinese Prez Xi to visit India for BRICS Summit; to hold talks with Modi

Chinese Prez Xi to visit India for BRICS Summit; to hold talks with Modi

Rediff.com11 Sep 2026

Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to India for the BRICS summit is a pivotal diplomatic event poised to significantly impact bilateral ties and global cooperation amidst ongoing international instability.

Why ISRO May Retire GSLV-Mk II

Why ISRO May Retire GSLV-Mk II

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

'It is not economical to operate GSLV-Mk II due to its cost and complexity. Future launches to be managed with LVM3.'

17 Years On, Sri Lanka's Missing Haunts Families

17 Years On, Sri Lanka's Missing Haunts Families

Rediff.com2 Sep 2026

Many women admit that while they keep clamouring to know the whereabouts of their disappeared family members, they are painfully aware that all of them may have been done to death, points out M R Narayan Swamy.

Dave Cousins: India's First Olympic Archery Medal Is Inevitable

Dave Cousins: India's First Olympic Archery Medal Is Inevitable

Rediff.com1 days ago

Dave Cousins, India's new national compound archery head coach, believes a historic first Olympic medal for India is inevitable. He is preparing the team for the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and has long-term plans for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, noting the changing Asian archery landscape and the impressive work ethic of Indian archers.

ICC shifts inaugural Women's Champions Trophy to India from Sri Lanka

ICC shifts inaugural Women's Champions Trophy to India from Sri Lanka

Rediff.com2 Sep 2026

The International Cricket Council has announced that India will host the inaugural Women's Champions Trophy from February 14 to 28, with matches scheduled in Mumbai and Vadodara. Sri Lanka was originally slated to host but was replaced due to ongoing governance issues in its cricket board. Six top women's teams will compete in this landmark tournament.

Microsoft's Hyderabad Data Centre Goes Live, Bolstering India's AI Ambitions

Microsoft's Hyderabad Data Centre Goes Live, Bolstering India's AI Ambitions

Rediff.com7 Aug 2026

Microsoft has announced the activation of its latest data centre in Hyderabad, significantly expanding its Cloud infrastructure in India and enabling organisations to leverage AI-era services with enhanced local choice and security.

'20 Million Cubic Litres Of Water Was Coming At 160 Km Per Hour!'

'20 Million Cubic Litres Of Water Was Coming At 160 Km Per Hour!'

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

'The valley is around 16 km from the Nepal border, and it took just 8-10 minutes for the ice and rocks to reach the Nepal border. You can imagine how fast it must have travelled!'

Bangladesh's China-US Tilt Should Worry India

Bangladesh's China-US Tilt Should Worry India

Rediff.com2 Sep 2026

Bangladesh-China and Bangladesh-US relations have evolved from reluctant engagement to increasingly consequential strategic partnerships.

Exports to Asia, Africa bolster India's trade balance

Exports to Asia, Africa bolster India's trade balance

Rediff.com17 Jun 2026

India's latest trade data reveals a significant geographical realignment, with trade surpluses growing decisively with Asian and African nations, even as surpluses with traditional partners like the US and Netherlands narrow.

Pakistani Naval Captain Was Reckless, Incompetent

Pakistani Naval Captain Was Reckless, Incompetent

Rediff.com15 hours ago

The captain of the Pakistani naval ship was overconfident, reckless and professionally incompetent. He displayed false bravado and by his actions would have caused grievous injuries to his men onboard and severely damaged the ship. On the other hand the captain of INS Kolkata maintained his cool, composure, displayed excellent seamanship skills and maintained his course and speed to avoid a major catastrophe. Comparison of the two captains shows the levels in professional competence of the two navies which are miles apart, points out Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

'India And China Have Arrived At A Nash Equilibrium'

'India And China Have Arrived At A Nash Equilibrium'

Rediff.com7 days ago

'The Chinese military cannot advance much in Ladakh, even if they want to.' 'Similarly, in Arunachal Pradesh, they can rename a village or two, intrude here or there, but cannot do much more realistically.'

Is koda-VW Finally Bring a Mass-Market EV to India?

Is koda-VW Finally Bring a Mass-Market EV to India?

Rediff.com4 days ago

koda Auto Volkswagen India is actively exploring various approaches to penetrate India's burgeoning electric vehicle (EV) market, including importing global models, local assembly, and developing highly localised products, as EV penetration is expected to reach 17-18% by the end of the decade.

India-China Rivalry Tests BRICS' Future

India-China Rivalry Tests BRICS' Future

Rediff.com8 Sep 2026

India and China are in what experts call 'a cooperation-versus-competition situation'.

Kolkata's heartbreak: Messi's retirement and a city's unwavering devotion

Kolkata's heartbreak: Messi's retirement and a city's unwavering devotion

Rediff.com1 Sep 2026

Kolkata, a city with a deep passion for football, is grappling with Lionel Messi's international retirement. The article explores the city's unique and enduring connection to the Argentine superstar, from his memorable 2011 visit to the emotional fan reactions to his retirement, including a controversial 2023 event.

The Long Road To Viksit Bharat

The Long Road To Viksit Bharat

Rediff.com4 days ago

The question for the next 20 years is not whether India can become a $5 trillion or $10 trillion economy. Those are attractive targets, but the real question is whether India can create enough productive jobs, educate its children properly, make its cities liveable, and give hundreds of millions of people a substantially better life, asserts Ramesh Menon.

'100 per cent better': India's Asian Games wrestling claim

'100 per cent better': India's Asian Games wrestling claim

Rediff.com9 Sep 2026

Indian wrestling coach Virender Dahiya and wrestler Antim Panghal have expressed strong confidence in the national team's preparation and potential for the upcoming Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Dahiya believes the team will significantly improve on its previous medal tally, while Panghal highlights the strong team cohesion and gold medal aspirations. The squad features a mix of experienced and young talent, aiming to overcome strong regional competitors.

'Sheikh Hasina Has Pulled A Political Masterstroke'

'Sheikh Hasina Has Pulled A Political Masterstroke'

Rediff.com11 Aug 2026

'After announcing that she will return to Bangladesh, if she does not, her credibility will suffer.'

Let's Not Get Flattered By Sergei Gor's Kashmir Remarks

Let's Not Get Flattered By Sergei Gor's Kashmir Remarks

Rediff.com20 Aug 2026

New Delhi must look for formal, institutional statements issued directly from Washington rather than rely on casual pronouncements meant for local audiences, notes Ambassador Rajasekhar.

Why Is Colombo Still Biased Against Jaffna?

Why Is Colombo Still Biased Against Jaffna?

Rediff.com2 days ago

'The way the government behaves, sometimes I ask myself: Are not Tamils Sri Lankans too? Why do you discriminate so much?'

Tata Sons narrows chairman search to T V Narendran, Saurabh Agrawal, and NSE's Ashish Chauhan a 'dark horse'

Tata Sons narrows chairman search to T V Narendran, Saurabh Agrawal, and NSE's Ashish Chauhan a 'dark horse'

Rediff.com5 Sep 2026

The search for N Chandrasekaran's successor as Tata Sons Chairman has reportedly narrowed to Tata Steel CEO T V Narendran, Tata Sons Executive Director Saurabh Agrawal, and NSE MD & CEO Ashish Chauhan, with Chauhan emerging as a potential 'dark horse' candidate.

'You Can't Over-Rule A Supreme Court Judgment By Making A Law'

'You Can't Over-Rule A Supreme Court Judgment By Making A Law'

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

'This government is in the very bad habit of doing so again and again. It has done so many times.'

Claude AI Gets India Data Residency

Claude AI Gets India Data Residency

Rediff.com4 Aug 2026

The move comes amid growing demand from organisations in India for local access to Claude.

Shakib Al Hasan's Home Attacked After Sheikh Hasina Vows Return to Bangladesh

Shakib Al Hasan's Home Attacked After Sheikh Hasina Vows Return to Bangladesh

Rediff.com6 Aug 2026

Former Bangladesh cricket captain Shakib Al Hasan's ancestral home was attacked with petrol bombs and smashed windows after he participated in an online media interaction where ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina vowed to return to Bangladesh despite facing a death sentence.

BRICS Summit: India's Dollar Dilemma

BRICS Summit: India's Dollar Dilemma

Rediff.com7 days ago

The challenge for India lies in navigating complex landscape to its best advantage. The BRICS Summit will test its navigation skills, asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Mumbai firm get Nadcap nod, boosts aircraft component sourcing from India

Mumbai firm get Nadcap nod, boosts aircraft component sourcing from India

Rediff.com25 Aug 2026

Mumbai-based TCR Engineering Services has become the first independent company in India to receive Nadcap accreditation for materials testing at its Navi Mumbai and Vadodara laboratories, a crucial step for Indian suppliers to enter the global aerospace supply chain.

Indian Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Decline as Crude Hits $91

Indian Markets Today: Sensex, Nifty Decline as Crude Hits $91

Rediff.com18 Aug 2026

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty experienced declines in early trade, driven by a surge in Brent crude oil prices above USD 91 per barrel due to escalating tensions between Iran and the US, alongside an increase in US 10-year bond yields. Track Sensex, Nifty on August 18.

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).

Indian team will benefit from international friendly against Brazil: Cafu

Indian team will benefit from international friendly against Brazil: Cafu

Rediff.com4 Sep 2026

Former Brazil captain Cafu discussed India's upcoming friendly against Brazil, highlighting the learning opportunity despite ranking differences. He also suggested India popularise football among children for growth, commented on Brazil's World Cup drought, and reflected on the evolving role of fullbacks in modern football.

'China Should Have Alerted Nepal'

'China Should Have Alerted Nepal'

Rediff.com29 Aug 2026

'The trigger for the flood was definitely natural, but the damage that it caused was human-made.'