News for 'South Asian Affairs'

A distracted America is set to pull back from Asia

A distracted America is set to pull back from Asia

Rediff.com14 Nov 2016

'Clearly, from the Indian viewpoint, the US retrenchment from Asia cannot be happening as good news.' 'The abandonment of the US' pivot to Asia exposes the US-Indian partnership to be a mere transactional relationship,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar

Football Extras: Messi comes off bench to rescue Barcelona

Football Extras: Messi comes off bench to rescue Barcelona

Rediff.com21 Jan 2019

Lionel Messi came off the bench to inspire Barcelona to a 3-1 win over a dogged Leganes side on Sunday, creating one goal and scoring another to keep the Catalans five points clear at the top of La Liga.

India must not ignore China in order to improve Indo-US ties

India must not ignore China in order to improve Indo-US ties

Rediff.com11 Feb 2016

In bilateral interfaces relations with China have also to be given due weight, opines Premvir Das

Seven Indian Americans awarded for cancer research

Seven Indian Americans awarded for cancer research

Rediff.com13 May 2014

The Society of Asian American Scientists in Cancer Research last month presented awards to seven doctors for their outstanding contributions to cancer research. The awards were presented by Rajvir Dahiya, SAASCR president, San Diego, California on April 6.

To counter OBOR, India plans to 'bridge' the gap with Asean

To counter OBOR, India plans to 'bridge' the gap with Asean

Rediff.com18 Jul 2017

These ambitious projects are littered with every possible acronyms and include proposed road links, air connectivity plans, electricity grids and special economic zones on coasts, says Subhomoy Bhattacharjee.

Nations engaged in 'proxy wars' must end them, says Obama at UNGA

Nations engaged in 'proxy wars' must end them, says Obama at UNGA

Rediff.com20 Sep 2016

It was Obama's eighth and final address to the UN General Assembly as the US President

'Less chances of a Doklam happening now'

'Less chances of a Doklam happening now'

Rediff.com14 May 2018

'Even if such a thing happens, it will not prolong for many days like Doklam did.' 'That is because both the leaders do not want it.'

Sri Lanka: India's CHOGM dilemma

Sri Lanka: India's CHOGM dilemma

Rediff.com25 Oct 2013

If Indian PM boycotts the CHOGM, it is likely to add to Sri Lanka's bitterness. This would not help India's desire to add more depth and content to its relations with Sri Lanka but its ability to influence Sri Lanka's decision making process on the both strategic issues and on Tamil minority issues, says Colonel (retd) R Hariharan.

Befriending the US while tempering China: Can India do it?

Befriending the US while tempering China: Can India do it?

Rediff.com12 Apr 2016

Even as the United States snuggles closer to India with the thinly veiled objective of containing China, the Indian strategy is to avoid alienating either nation.

A flower called Modi, Holocaust memorial: PM takes it all in on Day 1

A flower called Modi, Holocaust memorial: PM takes it all in on Day 1

Rediff.com5 Jul 2017

Here's a glimpse of Modi's first day in Israel.

Modi's ministry bears indelible impress of a single person

Modi's ministry bears indelible impress of a single person

Rediff.com30 May 2014

Narendra Modi's victory does not represent a victory of 'the Indian nation', but only an elite-driven polarising phenomenon. The sooner we -- and the BJP -- recognise this, the better, says Praful Bidwai.

The business of Indian diplomacy is business

The business of Indian diplomacy is business

Rediff.com14 Jun 2016

Making it easier to do business is a key element of our strategy, says Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar.

'To have a war or not is in Chinese hands'

'To have a war or not is in Chinese hands'

Rediff.com27 Jul 2017

'India is a huge market for Chinese goods. I don't think a war stands to logic when you have economic compulsions, but then Chinese are known to do illogical things.'

Why Mumbai lost out to Shanghai as HQ of BRICS bank

Why Mumbai lost out to Shanghai as HQ of BRICS bank

Rediff.com17 Jul 2014

Modi knew in his heart that India does not have the financial muscle to support the new bank with offers of co-financing international projects, something China can do from the bank's base in Shanghai. If established in Mumbai, it may have employed a few Indian bankers and satisfied the national ego but there was little financial value to be drawn from it.

India, Afghanistan call for end to state-sponsored terrorism

India, Afghanistan call for end to state-sponsored terrorism

Rediff.com14 Sep 2016

India offers $1 billion towards Afghanistan's development during Afghan President Ashraf Ghani's visit.

A bomb worse than an atom bomb in Kim Jong-un's hands!

A bomb worse than an atom bomb in Kim Jong-un's hands!

Rediff.com6 Sep 2017

North Korea is unlikely to strike first, but its response in retaliation, if attacked, could be massive even at the expense of its own destruction, says Rajaram Panda.

8 killed in New York terror attack, suspect in custody

8 killed in New York terror attack, suspect in custody

Rediff.com2 Nov 2017

The suspect, a 29-year-old man identified as Saifullo Saipov, of Uzbek descent, was shot in the stomach before being arrested.

'This was a week I will not soon forget'

'This was a week I will not soon forget'

Rediff.com10 Jun 2016

'We use the word "historic" perhaps too much, but the prime minister's visit certainly was historic in so many ways.'

BRICS Summit: Opportunities for India, Russia and China

BRICS Summit: Opportunities for India, Russia and China

Rediff.com30 Jun 2015

Srikanth Kondapalli on what to expect from the seventh BRICS summit meeting to be held in Russia in July.

Is BRICS a folly for India to embrace?

Is BRICS a folly for India to embrace?

Rediff.com1 Aug 2014

'To consider BRICS anything more than a temporary club with some common interests would be folly. The goal should be to induce others (Japan, ASEAN, South Africa) to align with us -- a non-threatening, democratic nation, rather than with malevolent China or waning America. For us to consider aligning with either China or the US would be absurd. India is just too big to be a sidekick,' says Rajeev Srinivasan.

'Nehru should have quit in the late 1950s'

'Nehru should have quit in the late 1950s'

Rediff.com18 May 2014

To mark his 50th death anniversary, rediff.com has launched a special series to evaluate Jawaharlal Nehru's legacy.

India, Indonesia ties elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

India, Indonesia ties elevated to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership

Rediff.com30 May 2018

The 2 countries signed 15 agreements including one on defence cooperation after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held 'productive discussions' with President Joko Widodo.

Indians dominate on another good day at CWG

Indians dominate on another good day at CWG

Rediff.com11 Apr 2018

India dominated the range and the ring as Shreyasi Singh's double trap gold shored up the medal tally while the entire men's Indian boxing contingent made the semi-finals to be assured of podium finishes in an unprecedented performance on Day 7 of the 21st Commonwealth Games, in Gold Coast on Wednesday.

Exclusive:'This is a visit the President has been anticipating'

Exclusive:'This is a visit the President has been anticipating'

Rediff.com26 Sep 2014

'The threat that India faces and the threat the United States faces is not just to the homeland, but to our people and to our institutions wherever they may be.' In an exclusive conversation with Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com, US Assistant Secretary of State Nisha Desai Biswal outlines the importance of Prime Minister Modi's visit for America.

'Modi will continue the engagement with Pakistan'

'Modi will continue the engagement with Pakistan'

Rediff.com3 Jan 2016

'Diplomatic engagement will continue even as India keeps all its options open with respect to discretely targeting the Pakistani military and its terrorist proxies.'

Will Trump go after Pakistan's terrorists?

Will Trump go after Pakistan's terrorists?

Rediff.com20 Jan 2017

'His secretary of defence nominee, General James Mattis, says he expects Pakistan to take action against terrorists operating from its soil.' 'Any pressure the US can bring on the Pakistani regime terror-wise would pay dividends for India.'

A strategic tsunami: Transformation in Indo-Japanese relations

A strategic tsunami: Transformation in Indo-Japanese relations

Rediff.com6 Dec 2013

In the media frenzy over inconsequential issues, the visit of the Emperor of Japan to India has been pushed to the margins of public discourse. Colonel (retd) Anil Athale explains the great historical and political significance of the visit.

'I'd give the Modi-Trump summit 10/10'

'I'd give the Modi-Trump summit 10/10'

Rediff.com27 Jun 2017

'We're going to see a defence relationship that really takes off -- now that India is a major defence partner of the US, the sky is the limit for arms sales.' 'The economic partnership will lag behind the security relationship, but the meeting and joint statement give cause to believe that it will progress more robustly than many of us would have expected.'

'If Modi-Shah stand on their heads they won't get 272'

'If Modi-Shah stand on their heads they won't get 272'

Rediff.com20 May 2019

'No right thinking student of politics can name one state where the BJP gains in double digits.'

When the next US defence secretary spoke to Rediff.com

When the next US defence secretary spoke to Rediff.com

Rediff.com8 Dec 2014

'We have a common way of looking at the world, a common way of thinking, and a common set of values that predispose us to be partners. And our interests overlap greatly,' Dr Ashton B Carter, America's next defence secretary, told Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com in an exclusive interview.

Good/Bad/Ugly: What will Obama's visit be like for India?

Good/Bad/Ugly: What will Obama's visit be like for India?

Rediff.com22 Jan 2015

'The real test will be in defence-related deals, for instance the Javelin anti-tank missile: Is the US willing to co-develop something with India, on terms that will support the 'Make in India' initiative? Is there defence technology transfer? Or will it dump old junk on India?' asks Rajeev Srinivasan.

Exclusive! US Ambassador Rich Verma speaks to Rediff!

Exclusive! US Ambassador Rich Verma speaks to Rediff!

Rediff.com30 Mar 2015

'India is part of our strategic and economic future,' says Richard Rahul Verma, the first Indian American to be appointed US Ambassador to India.

What a writer this man is!

What a writer this man is!

Rediff.com27 Sep 2016

'One of his most famous scenes is set in a prison in Delhi where the British try to subvert Karla, the legendary Soviet spy who is being transferred back to Moscow and is being temporarily detained by the Indian agencies.' Ambassador B S Prakash salutes John le Carre.

Meet Trump's Cabinet and Inner Circle

Meet Trump's Cabinet and Inner Circle

Rediff.com20 Jan 2017

Incoming US President Donald Trump has assembled a core team that is -- not surprisingly -- overwhelmingly white and male.

US hails India's Look East policy

US hails India's Look East policy

Rediff.com19 Jul 2013

Biden said, "One of the reasons why President Obama called our relations with India, quote, "a defining partnership of the century ahead" is that India is increasingly looking east as a force for security and growth in Southeast Asia and beyond."

China's big bucks luring soccer's talent

China's big bucks luring soccer's talent

Rediff.com10 Feb 2017

Carlos Tevez is getting paid 615,000 a week at Shanghai Shenhua, making him the world's best-paid player. His salary is now more than Cristiano Ronaldo's and Lionel Messi's!

Beyond the Modi-Obama hugs, a solid India-US partnership

Beyond the Modi-Obama hugs, a solid India-US partnership

Rediff.com27 Jan 2015

'This is the first time the US has formally recognised the threat India faces from terrorist organisations based in Pakistan.'

FIFA elects Swiss Infantino to lead it out of era of scandal

FIFA elects Swiss Infantino to lead it out of era of scandal

Rediff.com26 Feb 2016

Running highlights from FIFA's congress. World soccer's governing body has voted on a series of reforms and will elect a new president later on Friday (all times GMT): 13.30 The voting process is proving a long, drawn out affair. After an hour's voting, we have crawled to L for Latvia with little to get excited about apart from the brief appearance of Davor Suker, Golden Boot winner as the top scorer at the 1998 World Cup, as he cast Croatia's vote. Time then for a reminder that for a candidate to be elected in the first round, he must obtain at least 138 votes, two-thirds of the 207 votes cast. If this does not happen, a second round is held. This time, a simple majority -- 104 votes, which represents more than 50 percent of the votes -- is sufficient for a candidate to be elected. If no candidate gets that majority, the one with fewest votes will be eliminated and a new round will be held. This continues until one candidate obtains a majority. 12.45. Having begun his speech by promising to "die with my boots on", Sexwale ends it by withdrawing from the race, "I have got a surprise for you. My campaign ends today and I suspend my participation. With only four people it is your problem now." Markus Kattner, FIFA general secretary then reminds delegates of the voting procedure, reminding them not to photograph their ballot papers.

A man is known by the company he keeps. So is a country

A man is known by the company he keeps. So is a country

Rediff.com28 Jan 2015

'Modi and Obama both had agendas that went beyond the nuclear deal. The threat from the chilly Himalayas had to be tackled in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.'

'UN's permanent members do not want any change'

'UN's permanent members do not want any change'

Rediff.com10 Nov 2014

The Security Council as it is today is unable to bring peace and security in the world and so there is reason for countries like India to become members of the Council, Ambassador Asoke Kumar Mukerji tells Sheela Bhatt/Rediff.com.