News for 'South Pacific Island'

China quietly developing military bases in Pacific islands

China quietly developing military bases in Pacific islands

Rediff.com25 Nov 2021

According to the Singapore Post, Kiribati a Micronesian country is discussing opening up its largest marine reserves to commercial fishing which may serve a dual purpose like a naval base for the Chinese as well.

For me, you are not small island states, but...: Modi to Pacific Island nations

For me, you are not small island states, but...: Modi to Pacific Island nations

Rediff.com22 May 2023

The prime minister also underlined the importance of a free and open Indo-Pacific for the Pacific island nations and said India respects the sovereignty and integrity of all countries.

Monsoon likely to hit Andaman by end of this week: IMD

Monsoon likely to hit Andaman by end of this week: IMD

Rediff.com14 hours ago

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has announced that conditions are becoming favourable for the onset of the southwest monsoon over parts of the south Bay of Bengal, Andaman Sea, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands towards the end of this week.

Sri Lanka rejects landing request by US warplane

Sri Lanka rejects landing request by US warplane

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

Sri Lanka's President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that the country refused permission for the US to land two warplanes at Mattala International Airport, citing a commitment to neutrality amidst rising tensions in the Middle East.

US Special Envoy Meets Sri Lankan President Amidst Regional Tensions

US Special Envoy Meets Sri Lankan President Amidst Regional Tensions

Rediff.com19 Mar 2026

US Special Representative Sergio Gor met with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake to discuss strengthening bilateral relations and Sri Lanka's stance on the Middle East crisis. The visit occurs amidst regional tensions and US efforts to secure trade routes in the Indo-Pacific.

8 Safest Countries To Flee To If WW3 Starts Tomorrow

8 Safest Countries To Flee To If WW3 Starts Tomorrow

Rediff.com26 Mar 2026

Amid growing international instability, folks all over the world are wondering if there is any country that can be considered a secure refuge, should this conflict expand into a larger war, drawing in many more nations.

8 Straits That Rule The Shipping World

8 Straits That Rule The Shipping World

Rediff.com3 Apr 2026

Which are the world's most vital straits, important to shipping?

2026: Kerala Among Best Destinations

2026: Kerala Among Best Destinations

Rediff.com6 Jan 2026

Kerala has earned a spot on Rough Guides' list of the world's top travel destinations for 2026, with the popular guidebook publisher highlighting the state as a must-visit location for the year ahead.

Attempting to avoid...: Vanuatu cancels Lalit Modi's passport

Attempting to avoid...: Vanuatu cancels Lalit Modi's passport

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

Vanuatu Prime Minister Jotham Napat has directed the Citizenship Commission to cancel the passport issued to former Indian Premier League (IPL) founder Lalit Modi, citing his attempt to avoid extradition. Modi had applied to surrender his Indian passport to the Indian High Commission in London, but the Vanuatu government stated that Interpol twice rejected India's request for an alert notice due to lack of evidence. The statement emphasized that holding a Vanuatu passport is a privilege, not a right, and applicants must seek citizenship for legitimate reasons, which does not include evading extradition.

China using LAC calm to stabilise India ties, curb US closeness: US report

China using LAC calm to stabilise India ties, curb US closeness: US report

Rediff.com24 Dec 2025

The agreement was to disengage from remaining standoff sites along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), two days before a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

PLA Top Brass In Turmoil After Zhang Youxia's Dismissal

PLA Top Brass In Turmoil After Zhang Youxia's Dismissal

Rediff.com27 Jan 2026

'As the PLA higher command is almost dismantled and instability spreads, India needs to be prepared for any eventuality,' cautions China expert Srikanth Kondapalli.

'He knows the consequences': Trump threatens Xi

'He knows the consequences': Trump threatens Xi

Rediff.com3 Nov 2025

United States President Donald Trump said that China 'knows the consequences' if it attacks Taiwan, asserting that Chinese President Xi Jinping understands the situation 'very well'.

What Will Xi Jinping Do Next With All That Power?

What Will Xi Jinping Do Next With All That Power?

Rediff.com11 Feb 2026

'For the first time in a hundred years, the army has been taken out of the political equation. And for the first time ever, there is only one man who calls the shots. Not even Mao had this kind of power.'

Is India Standing Alone in 2025?

Is India Standing Alone in 2025?

Rediff.com22 Dec 2025

The 2025 US National Security Strategy marks a major pullback, with America turning backward and effectively allowing China greater dominance in Asia. while long-time partners like India are left to face an increasingly unstable global order largely on their own, observes Rajeev Srinivasan.

When US Invaded Countries In The Americas

When US Invaded Countries In The Americas

Rediff.com5 Jan 2026

That a country thinks it has the right to randomly invade another country has repercussions that will for sure be played on the global arena in the years to come.

Biden proposes over $25 bn spend in Indo-Pacific to out-compete China

Biden proposes over $25 bn spend in Indo-Pacific to out-compete China

Rediff.com10 Mar 2023

This includes over $15 billion of proposed investment in the infrastructure sector in the Indo-Pacific and $9 billion for shoring up American defence in the region.

Quad unveils new initiative to monitor maritime activity across Indo-Pacific

Quad unveils new initiative to monitor maritime activity across Indo-Pacific

Rediff.com24 May 2022

Four-nation grouping Quad on Tuesday launched a major new initiative for the Indo-Pacific that allows the partner countries to fully monitor the waters on their shores and help ensure peace and stability in the region, a move that comes amid China's increasingly intimidatory behaviour.

All About Vanuatu, Which Rejected Lalit Modi

All About Vanuatu, Which Rejected Lalit Modi

Rediff.com10 Mar 2025

Vanuatu offers citizenship to people who are willing to invest $150,000 in the country.

Kangana's Selfie In Session

Kangana's Selfie In Session

Rediff.com30 Jul 2025

Glimpses from India and around the world that will make you smile and cry.

Over 100 feared dead in tsunami-hit Samoa

Over 100 feared dead in tsunami-hit Samoa

Rediff.com30 Sep 2009

The quake, which struck at 6.48am NZT, was centred 200 kilometres from Samoan capital of Apia at a depth of 35 kilometres.

Cruise Weddings Are The Next Big Thing

Cruise Weddings Are The Next Big Thing

Rediff.com11 Mar 2025

Within India, people are selecting destinations via routes such as Lakshadweep, Alappuzha, the Sundarbans, Goa and Kochi for pre-wedding parties.

Philippines Seeks India's Help Against China's Threat

Philippines Seeks India's Help Against China's Threat

Rediff.com5 Apr 2025

The Squad seeks to counter China's power assertions in the South China Sea region.

'The Boat Was Rocking Like A Washing Machine'

'The Boat Was Rocking Like A Washing Machine'

Rediff.com20 Jun 2025

'It was pitch-dark when we rounded Cape Horn. The waves were coming in full force. It was like a washing machine - -both of us and our boat Tarini.' Naval officer Lt Cdrs Dilna and Roopa describe their amazing voyage around the globe.

Harvard's 788 Indian Students: What Next?

Harvard's 788 Indian Students: What Next?

Rediff.com23 May 2025

The Trump administration has revoked Harvard University's eligibility to enrol foreign students, raising concerns over the legal status of thousands of students, including nearly 800 from India, currently enrolled at the varsity.

US cancels tsunami alert after Vanuatu quake

US cancels tsunami alert after Vanuatu quake

Rediff.com28 May 2010

A massive earthquake measuring 7.4 on the Richter scale hit South Pacific Island Republic of Vanuatu at 4:14 am local time (22:44 IST) on Friday, which sparked United States to issue a tsunami alert for New Caledonia, Solomon and Vanuatu islands.

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."

South Asian American group turns 10

South Asian American group turns 10

Rediff.com31 Jan 2011

SAALT, a non-partisan and non-profit organisation, has joined other immigrant organisations to introduce voter education, get people to election monitoring, and encourage voter registration. Its community empowerment programmes include advocating the rights of women especially those who are not documented, and train activists to present on issues facing the community.

A Lot At Stake For India In US' Indo-Pacific Strategy

A Lot At Stake For India In US' Indo-Pacific Strategy

Rediff.com28 Sep 2023

India is increasingly a willing participant in the evolving US' Indo-Pacific strategy. While these developments are related to the perception of a growing Chinese security challenge, their implications for India's much-vaunted strategic autonomy should be a matter of deeper and closer reflection, asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

'Quad is here to stay': Modi's message to China at Leaders' Summit

'Quad is here to stay': Modi's message to China at Leaders' Summit

Rediff.com22 Sep 2024

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that the Quad is not against anyone, but for a rules-based international order and respect for sovereignty, in a veiled reference to China.

Iran-Israel war: India ramps up oil imports from Russia, US in June

Iran-Israel war: India ramps up oil imports from Russia, US in June

Rediff.com22 Jun 2025

Indian refiners are likely to import 2-2.2 million barrels per day of Russian crude oil in June - the highest in the last two years and more than the total volumes bought from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Kuwait, preliminary data by global trade analytics firm Kpler showed.

Strait of Hormuz closure: How it will impact India

Strait of Hormuz closure: How it will impact India

Rediff.com22 Jun 2025

US strikes on Iran's three main nuclear facilities have once again raised concerns that Tehran might shut down the Strait of Hormuz - one of the world's most critical chokepoints, through which a fifth of global oil and gas supply flows.

Modi conferred with highest honours of Fiji, Papua New Guinea

Modi conferred with highest honours of Fiji, Papua New Guinea

Rediff.com22 May 2023

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Monday conferred with the highest honour of Fiji by its premier Sitiveni Rabuka in recognition of his global leadership, in a rare honour for a non-Fijian.

'One of us': A R Rahman dedicates song to 'Kamala ji'

'One of us': A R Rahman dedicates song to 'Kamala ji'

Rediff.com14 Oct 2024

Vice President Kamala Harris' White House bid gets a boost from legendary Indian music composer A R Rahman, who has come out in support of her 'vision for an equitable world', and recording some of his popular songs like 'Jai Ho' to inspire Indian American voters.

China slams US' Indo-Pacific strategy as 'Asian NATO'

China slams US' Indo-Pacific strategy as 'Asian NATO'

Rediff.com7 Mar 2023

'No Cold War should be reignited and no Ukraine-style crisis should be repeated in Asia'

India-Australia relations enter T-20 mode, says Modi on strengthening ties

India-Australia relations enter T-20 mode, says Modi on strengthening ties

Rediff.com24 May 2023

Modi and Albanese also reiterated their shared ambition for an early conclusion of the ambitious Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) that is expected to significantly expand bilateral trade ties.

3 Cheers For These Navy Lady Officers!

3 Cheers For These Navy Lady Officers!

Rediff.com19 Feb 2025

Lieutenant Commanders Dilna K and Roopa A have successfully crossed the most dangerous passage in their historic 8-month sailing expedition around the globe.

AUKUS And The Militarization Of Indo Pacific

AUKUS And The Militarization Of Indo Pacific

Rediff.com20 Mar 2023

Although the pact would focus mainly on the Pacific and the South China Sea region, any action designed to deter China with or without New Delhi's active participation is a welcome move, notes Commodore Venugopal Menon (retd).

Game of Chinese checkers in the Pacific

Game of Chinese checkers in the Pacific

Rediff.com4 Jun 2013

Admiral Samuel Locklear, commander of US forces in the Pacific, told the Shangri-La Dialogue, a high-level defence forum in Singapore, that PLA navy had started "reciprocating" US navy's tactics of sending ships and aircraft into the 200-nautical-mile zone off China's coast.

Are Indian Americans deserting Joe Biden?

Are Indian Americans deserting Joe Biden?

Rediff.com11 Jul 2024

There is a sharp 19 per cent decline in Indian Americans supporting incumbent President Joe Biden between the last election of 2020 and the 2024 election cycle, according to a bi-annual Asian American Voter Survey (AAVS), the longest-running survey of Asian-American voters released on Wednesday.

Chinese fighter jet endangers Australian plane near South China Sea

Chinese fighter jet endangers Australian plane near South China Sea

Rediff.com6 Jun 2022

Australia's Defence Ministry on Sunday claimed that a Chinese fighter jet's aggressive manoeuvres endangered an Australian reconnaissance plane near the South China Sea.