News for 'Sovereign'

Uniform Civil Code: What Centre told SC last year

Uniform Civil Code: What Centre told SC last year

Rediff.com15 Jun 2023

Citizens belonging to different religions and denominations follow different property and matrimonial laws which is 'an affront to the nation's unity', the Centre had said last year in its affidavit in the Supreme Court on the Uniform Civil Code matter.

'Khalistan Zindabad', 'Referendum 2020' slogans appear in Delhi

'Khalistan Zindabad', 'Referendum 2020' slogans appear in Delhi

Rediff.com19 Jan 2023

Delhi Police is ensuring that no wrong activities take place ahead of Republic Day.

1993 Mumbai blasts: SC says Centre bound to release Salem

1993 Mumbai blasts: SC says Centre bound to release Salem

Rediff.com11 Jul 2022

Salem had said his sentence could not exceed 25 years as per a solemn assurance given by India to Portugal for his extradition in 2002.

'We are not going back to licence raj'

'We are not going back to licence raj'

Rediff.com18 Sep 2023

'I'm pitching India for the strengths we offer, including the English language, engineers, doctors, nurses, professionals, innovative talent of startups.'

Budget 2023 likely to steer clear of populist measures

Budget 2023 likely to steer clear of populist measures

Rediff.com30 Jan 2023

Ahead of the 2023-24 Union Budget, the thinking at the top level of the central government is clear: Gross domestic product (GDP) growth of 6-6.5 per cent is a comfortable enough target for FY24 and the focus should be on fiscal consolidation to ensure that the sovereign cost of borrowing does not become prohibitively expensive in a high-interest rate environment, according to people in the know. Those aware of deliberations between the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and the Ministry of Finance said while the Budget would look to strike a balance between infrastructure investment and welfare schemes, it is unlikely to be populist, though it will be the last full-year Budget before the 2024 Lok Sabha election. Incidentally, 6-6.5 per cent GDP growth is what the upcoming 2022-23 Economic Survey is expected to project for FY24.

War in Gaza: Here's why India didn't vote on UNGA resolution

War in Gaza: Here's why India didn't vote on UNGA resolution

Rediff.com28 Oct 2023

India is 'deeply concerned' at the deteriorating security situation and astounding loss of civilian lives in the ongoing conflict.

Modi strongly condemns civilian deaths in Israel-Hamas war

Modi strongly condemns civilian deaths in Israel-Hamas war

Rediff.com18 Nov 2023

Modi said New Delhi has emphasised on dialogue and diplomacy along with restraint to deal with the situation arising out of the Hamas-Israel conflict.

Twitter turned rogue during 2020-22: BJP amid row

Twitter turned rogue during 2020-22: BJP amid row

Rediff.com13 Jun 2023

Amit Malviya said Twitter was in violation of India laws for an extended period (between 2020-2022).

Survey exhorts rating agencies to be more transparent

Survey exhorts rating agencies to be more transparent

Rediff.com29 Jan 2021

India's sovereign credit ratings do not reflect the economy's fundamentals, the Economic Survey said on Friday and nudged the global agencies to become more transparent and less subjective in their ratings. The Economic Survey 2020-21, tabled in Parliament, said that sovereign credit ratings methodology must be amended to reflect economies' ability and willingness to pay their debt obligations, and suggested that developing economies must come together to address this bias and subjectivity inherent in sovereign credit ratings methodology. "Never in the history of sovereign credit ratings has the fifth largest economy in the world been rated as the lowest rung of the investment-grade (BBB-/Baa3). While sovereign credit ratings do not reflect the Indian economy's fundamentals, noisy, opaque and biased credit ratings damage FPI flows," the survey said.

FM launches new small savings scheme for women with 7.5% return

FM launches new small savings scheme for women with 7.5% return

Rediff.com1 Feb 2023

The deposit facility for the women and girls will be for a period of two years with a rate of interest of 7.5 per cent, Sitharaman announced.

Bernstein pegs RIL's stake in retail arm at $111 billion

Bernstein pegs RIL's stake in retail arm at $111 billion

Rediff.com26 May 2023

Global investment management firm Bernstein has pegged the enterprise valuation of Reliance Industries (RIL)'s 85 per cent stake in Reliance Retail at $111 billion, while valuing the Mukesh Ambani-led company's 66.5 per cent stake in telecom and digital platform arm Reliance Jio at $88 billion. Reliance Industries had earlier planned to list both its subsidiaries to unlock value for its shareholders but hadn't fixed any timeline. The report said that Reliance Retail had raised $6 billion by diluting a 10.1 per cent stake, while Jio Platforms raised $20 billion from investors by selling 33 per cent in 2020.

Can Israel's Army Win The War?

Can Israel's Army Win The War?

Rediff.com8 Nov 2023

If military power is all it would take to finish the menace of an awful terrorist organisation like Hamas, how come five Israeli wars in Gaza since 2003 have failed to do so? asks Shekhar Gupta.

Beijing issues Chinese names of 11 places in Arunachal

Beijing issues Chinese names of 11 places in Arunachal

Rediff.com3 Apr 2023

The official names of the 11 places were released on Sunday by the ministry, which also gave precise coordinates, including two land areas, two residential areas, five mountain peaks and two rivers and listed the category of places' names and their subordinate administrative districts, state-run Global Times reported on Monday.

'Israel like James Bond has a licence to kill'

'Israel like James Bond has a licence to kill'

Rediff.com21 Nov 2023

'But unlike Bond who killed an individual, Israel is killing a nation.'

Anil Agarwal to demerge 5 businesses of Vedanta, restructure zinc unit

Anil Agarwal to demerge 5 businesses of Vedanta, restructure zinc unit

Rediff.com29 Sep 2023

Mining magnate Anil Agarwal's conglomerate on Friday announced a major business shake-up, with flagship Vedanta Ltd approving a spin-off of its metals, power, aluminium and oil and gas businesses into separate listed entities and an overhaul of lucrative zinc unit planned as part of value creation and reducing debt load. Vedanta will issue one share of the five demerged businesses for every share held in the company, the firm said in a statement. The entire exercise, which would require shareholder and lender approval as well as a nod from the stock exchanges and courts, is expected to be completed in 12-15 months, its president for finance Ajay Agarwal said.

No salary for Akash, Isha and Anant Ambani; fee for attending board meetings

No salary for Akash, Isha and Anant Ambani; fee for attending board meetings

Rediff.com26 Sep 2023

While Ambani, 66, drew nil salary from the company since the 2020-21 fiscal year, other executive directors including his cousins Nikhil and Hital are paid a salary, perquisites, allowances and commission. His three children - twins Akash and Isha (both 31) and Anant (28 years) - will get only a sitting fee and a commission on the profit earned by the firm.

'Why do investors no longer panic during market downturns?'

'Why do investors no longer panic during market downturns?'

Rediff.com10 Nov 2022

'It's important that every portfolio is well diversified.' 'My own portfolio is diversified across asset classes: 50% is in equity funds, 15% in international schemes, 25% in debt funds and 10% in sovereign gold bonds.'

India deserves upgrade in sovereign rating: Chidambaram

India deserves upgrade in sovereign rating: Chidambaram

Rediff.com20 May 2013

India deserves a rating upgrade in view of improvement in macro-economic situation, the conservative outlook of Standard & Poor's notwithstanding, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said.

'3 People Can't Decide How Judges Are Appointed'

'3 People Can't Decide How Judges Are Appointed'

Rediff.com31 Jan 2023

'The (Collegium system of appointing judges) is absolutely whimsical.'

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka lifts state of emergency after 2 weeks

Crisis-hit Sri Lanka lifts state of emergency after 2 weeks

Rediff.com21 May 2022

Embattled Sri Lankan President Gotabaya Rajapaksa had declared a state of emergency with effect from May 6 midnight, the second time in just over a month amidst growing countrywide anti-government protests over the economic crisis.

Personal Data Protection

Personal Data Protection

Rediff.com28 Aug 2023

Ajit Balakrishnan offers a thinking person's guide.

Sale of first tranche of gold bonds 2022-23 to open on June 20

Sale of first tranche of gold bonds 2022-23 to open on June 20

Rediff.com16 Jun 2022

The first tranche of sovereign gold bond for 2022-23 will open for subscription for five days from June 20, the Reserve Bank of India said on Thursday.

Budget short on structural reform announcements: Fitch

Budget short on structural reform announcements: Fitch

Rediff.com2 Feb 2022

India's budget for the fiscal beginning April focuses on giving a boost to the ongoing economic recovery through a sharp increase in capex spending but is short on major growth-enhancing structural reform announcements, Fitch Ratings said Wednesday. The deficit targets present in the Union budget 2022-23 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday "are a bit higher than our forecasts when we affirmed India's 'BBB'/Negative sovereign rating in November," said Jeremy Zook, director and primary sovereign analyst for India, Fitch Ratings. While it was widely expected that the fiscal deficit will be lower than the targeted 6.8 per cent of the GDP in the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2022, Sitharaman put the number at 6.9 per cent.

There is only one victim in this case, and it is Israel

There is only one victim in this case, and it is Israel

Rediff.com23 Oct 2023

There is only one perpetrator, Hamas. It is a terrorist organisation. It is obscene to argue that until the Palestinian question is solved, anybody has the right to use terrorism as an instrument of policy, argues Shekhar Gupta.

Situation tense in Sudan, India coordinating with Saudi, UAE

Situation tense in Sudan, India coordinating with Saudi, UAE

Rediff.com19 Apr 2023

The sources said India's priority is safety of movement and well being of individuals wherever they are located.

Catholics Pay Homage To Late Pope

Catholics Pay Homage To Late Pope

Rediff.com3 Jan 2023

Catholics pay homage to Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI at the Vatican.

Why India is mum on OPEC's decision to cut oil production

Why India is mum on OPEC's decision to cut oil production

Rediff.com8 Oct 2022

It's the sovereign right of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries to decide on the oil production capacities, Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri said Friday. Refraining from commenting on the controversial decision of OPEC on cutting oil production by two million barrels a day, which has taken the world by surprise, Puri said it is likely to be scrutinized very carefully. During an interaction with a group of Indian reporters, he said that India as one of the major consumers of oil and gas also has a major say in the global oil market.

They can make their own decisions: US on India-China-Russia military drill

They can make their own decisions: US on India-China-Russia military drill

Rediff.com14 Sep 2022

'India's a sovereign nation, they can make their own decisions in terms of who they're going to conduct exercises with'

King Charles III crowned UK's new monarch

King Charles III crowned UK's new monarch

Rediff.com6 May 2023

The king and his wife, Camilla, the queen consort, travelled from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey -- a distance of 2.2-km -- at a stately pace in the Diamond Jubilee State Coach bearing a gilded crown, which was commissioned for Queen Elizabeth II in 2012.

No sermons to nations that need aid: Rajnath

No sermons to nations that need aid: Rajnath

Rediff.com14 Feb 2023

Without naming China or any other country, Singh said the "top-down approach" towards solving problems has never been sustainable, adding often it leads to "debt trap, reaction from the local population and conflict."

How Jio plans to auction spectrum required by NGSO

How Jio plans to auction spectrum required by NGSO

Rediff.com14 Jun 2023

Reliance Jio has suggested an alternative plan to the The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) under which spectrum required by non-geostationary orbit satellite (NGSO) operators to run their gateway terminals should be auctioned geographically, based on districts, rather than circles as done for mobile services. For spectrum which would be required to connect user terminals (like individual homes), Jio has suggested it should be auctioned frequency-wise and exclusively to an operator at a pan-India level. The move is significant as the auctioning of satellite space spectrum has been vehemently opposed by low earth orbit satellite operators (satellites which circle at low altitudes of 200-2000 km).

Interpol returns India's red notice against SFJ founder

Interpol returns India's red notice against SFJ founder

Rediff.com12 Oct 2022

The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is the national central bureau of India to liaison with the Interpol, had sent the request of National Investigation Agency seeking Red Notice against Pannun but it was returned with further queries, they said.

Indemnity demands from pharma firms hit foreign Covid vaccine buy: Mandaviya

Indemnity demands from pharma firms hit foreign Covid vaccine buy: Mandaviya

Rediff.com25 Jun 2023

He also said that it was wrong to suggest that India stopped foreign made vaccines like that made by Moderna and Pfizer from coming to India.

Gold ETFs acquire patina of 4-yr low investment in FY23

Gold ETFs acquire patina of 4-yr low investment in FY23

Rediff.com24 Apr 2023

Gold burnished its image as the go-to asset class during turbulent times. However, investors seemed to have missed the bus. Net inflows into gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) plunged to a four-year low of Rs 653 crore in 2022-23 (FY23), even as gold emerged as the top-performing asset class.

S&P affirms India's rating at lowest grade for 14th year in a row

S&P affirms India's rating at lowest grade for 14th year in a row

Rediff.com13 Jul 2021

S&P Global Ratings on Tuesday affirmed India's sovereign rating at the lowest investment grade of 'BBB-' for the 14th year in a row with a stable outlook, and said that the country's strong external settings will act as a buffer against financial strains despite elevated government funding needs over the next 24 months. The sovereign credit ratings on India reflect the economy's above-average long-term real GDP growth, sound external profile, and evolving monetary settings, S&P Global Ratings stated. "India's democratic institutions promote policy stability and compromise, and also underpin the ratings. "These strengths are balanced against vulnerabilities stemming from the country's low per capita income and weak fiscal settings, including consistently elevated general government deficits and indebtedness," it said in a statement. S&P Global Ratings has forecast economic activity in India to begin to normalise throughout the remainder of fiscal 2022, resulting in real GDP growth of about 9.5 per cent.

Gold May Touch Rs 62,000 In 2023

Gold May Touch Rs 62,000 In 2023

Rediff.com10 Jan 2023

In 2022, gold emerged as the top performer among all conventional asset classes with over 14 per cent returns mainly owing to the depreciation of the rupee.

Bangladesh keen to revise Adani Power deal; cites high coal price

Bangladesh keen to revise Adani Power deal; cites high coal price

Rediff.com2 Feb 2023

Bangladesh has sought revision of a 2017 power purchase agreement with Adani Power Ltd as the price for the coal-generated electricity appeared too expensive, officials said in Dhaka on Thursday. "We have communicated with the Indian company seeking revision of the agreement," an official of the state-run Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDC) told PTI on the condition of anonymity and without elaborating on the matter. Media reports suggested that the "high coal price" to be purchased for the Adani plant at India's Jharkhand emerged as the key factor for the dispute.

Make plans to evacuate Indians from Sudan, orders Modi

Make plans to evacuate Indians from Sudan, orders Modi

Rediff.com21 Apr 2023

According to an official statement, Modi, at a high-level meeting, instructed relevant officials to remain vigilant, closely monitor developments in Sudan and evaluate safety of Indian nationals there.

Moody's ups outlook for RIL, Infy, SBI among others

Moody's ups outlook for RIL, Infy, SBI among others

Rediff.com6 Oct 2021

Moody's Investors Service on Wednesday raised the rating outlook for 18 Indian corporates and banks, including Reliance Industries, Infosys, SBI and Axis Bank, to 'stable' from 'negative'. This follows the upgrade by the US-based rating agency in India's sovereign rating outlook to 'stable' from 'negative' on Tuesday. The agency had affirmed the sovereign rating at 'Baa3'.

Govt Expects Windfall From RBI

Govt Expects Windfall From RBI

Rediff.com25 May 2023

While the fiscal year has just begun, any windfall surplus will be welcomed by the government as it bids to meet the fiscal deficit target of 5.9 per cent of GDP, amidst lack of clarity on exactly to what extent will recession in the West impact India's trade and tax collections.