News for 'State Department and National Security Council'

Zoos across India on 'highest' alert after tiger in US gets COVID-19

Zoos across India on 'highest' alert after tiger in US gets COVID-19

Rediff.com7 Apr 2020

The female tiger, named Nadia, is believed to be the first known case of an animal infected with COVID-19 in the US. It is suspected that she contracted the virus from a caretaker who was asymptomatic at that time.

Xi plans to use CCP centenary to serve his goals

Xi plans to use CCP centenary to serve his goals

Rediff.com30 Jun 2021

With his eye on next year's Party Congress, Xi Jinping is using the CCP's centenary celebrations to publicise the benefits for China from its leadership, and boost his image and contribution to China's rise, observes Jayadeva Ranade, the distinguished China expert and retired RA&W officer.

Modi Has Enormous Curiosity About The World

Modi Has Enormous Curiosity About The World

Rediff.com24 May 2022

'From the very start, PM Modi was insistent that visiting foreign leaders should be exposed to an India beyond its capital.' 'Through these experiences, he felt that the full Indian narrative would be much better understood across the world,' explains External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. A riveting excerpt from Bluekraft Digital Foundation's Modi@20: Dreams Meet Delivery.

China invites Modi for APEC summit but rivalry simmers

China invites Modi for APEC summit but rivalry simmers

Rediff.com15 Jul 2014

Xi and Modi met soon after their arrival at a summit of the BRICS group of emerging powers. Xi said the two countries should join hands in setting global rules and suggested he attend the November meeting of the 21-nation APEC in Beijing, as well as take part in Chinese-led regional initiatives.

EU lawmakers to visit Kashmir; briefed by PM, NSA

EU lawmakers to visit Kashmir; briefed by PM, NSA

Rediff.com29 Oct 2019

Modi told the delegation that urgent action was needed against those supporting and sponsoring terrorism.

FM seeks additional Rs 2.35 lakh crore to meet expenses

FM seeks additional Rs 2.35 lakh crore to meet expenses

Rediff.com14 Sep 2020

Of the total cash outgo Rs 40,000 crore is towards enhanced expenditure under Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Program and Rs 33,771.48 crore have been sought for direct benefit transfer under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana and National Social Assistance Programme.

Pompeo coming to India with American goodies

Pompeo coming to India with American goodies

Rediff.com14 Jun 2019

So, how does Pompeo's check list look like? In a broad sense, he is coming here 'to make sure that we have economic openness'; to ensure that 'we have to deliver'; to understand that 'we have to execute' what we promised to do; and, to 'broach some tough topics', points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Rajnath Singh's dilemma

Rajnath Singh's dilemma

Rediff.com22 Jun 2019

The defence minister has to correct a major asymmetry. Will his discipline come in the way?

Curbs on internet in Kashmir will be lifted at appropriate time: Amit Shah

Curbs on internet in Kashmir will be lifted at appropriate time: Amit Shah

Rediff.com20 Nov 2019

Responding to a series of questions on the situation in Jammu and Kashmir during Question Hour, Shah also asserted that not a single person has died in police firing after August 5 when the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir was scrapped.

What a Trump presidency will be like

What a Trump presidency will be like

Rediff.com18 Jan 2017

'The optimistic advice might be "fasten your seat belts" and the pessimistic one might just turn out to be "brace for impact",' says Claude Smadja.

Deepening US-India ties is a strategic imperative: Kerry

Deepening US-India ties is a strategic imperative: Kerry

Rediff.com29 Jul 2014

Calling India an indispensable partner for the 21st century, United States Secretary of State John Kerry said on Monday the dynamism and entrepreneurial spirit of this bilateral relationship is needed to solve some of world's greatest challenges.

Arunachal MLA, 10 others killed by suspected Naga militants

Arunachal MLA, 10 others killed by suspected Naga militants

Rediff.com21 May 2019

Apart from Aboh's son, the deceased included some other family members of the MLA.

How unaccounted pathogens pose real risk to the world

How unaccounted pathogens pose real risk to the world

Rediff.com21 Jul 2014

The biological weapons convention is a non-starter in spite of the efforts of many states in the world for the last five decades mainly because the US is not ready to accept the 'verification protocol' which could allow the formation of some official mechanism for inspections, says Ajay Lele.

South Korean missile defence: US, China on collision course

South Korean missile defence: US, China on collision course

Rediff.com16 Jul 2016

Deployment of THAAD in South Korea could unfold a new cataclysm in the Korean Peninsula with unwelcome prospects.

Rafale case: SC to first decide on Govt objection over document leak

Rafale case: SC to first decide on Govt objection over document leak

Rediff.com14 Mar 2019

The bench said that 'argument on the preliminary issue and the claim of privilege raised by the Government of India is reserved'.

'My job is not to represent the world; my job is to represent the United States of America'

'My job is not to represent the world; my job is to represent the United States of America'

Rediff.com1 Mar 2017

The following is the full text of US President Donald Trump's first address to a joint session of the Congress on February 28, as prepared for delivery and released by the White House press office.

Khadse likely to get clean chit by cops in Dawood call case

Khadse likely to get clean chit by cops in Dawood call case

Rediff.com11 Jun 2016

On Friday, Khadse made a futile bid to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval as well as senior party leaders in New Delhi.

Trump, Biden campaigns eye the Hindu vote in US

Trump, Biden campaigns eye the Hindu vote in US

Rediff.com19 Aug 2020

While the Trump campaign promises that re-electing President Donald Trump will "reduce obstacles to religious freedoms" for Hindus in America, the rival Biden campaign on Tuesday said former vice president Joe Biden has made outreach to the Hindu faith community a priority.

Modi's efforts to get India NSG seat FAIL in Seoul

Modi's efforts to get India NSG seat FAIL in Seoul

Rediff.com24 Jun 2016

Chinese chief negotiator Ambassador Wang Qun told ANI on Friday, "NSG will not take up India's case as of now. There are differences on admitting non-Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty members. Signing the NPT first is one of five criteria (for membership). These have not been set by China, but by group as a whole."

Armed and dangerous: India fifth in world's strongest armed forces

Armed and dangerous: India fifth in world's strongest armed forces

Rediff.com6 Oct 2015

Indian ranks fifth in the world according to a report that ranks the strength of 20 countries according to weaponry, including tanks, aircraft, helicopters and submarines.

'If you stop water to Pakistan, you will flood J&K'

'If you stop water to Pakistan, you will flood J&K'

Rediff.com22 Feb 2019

'In the last 55 years India and Pakistan have gone to wars, but nobody spoke about scrapping the Indus Waters Treaty.'

'Long fight': PM asks ministers to plan 'slow' exit from lockdown

'Long fight': PM asks ministers to plan 'slow' exit from lockdown

Rediff.com7 Apr 2020

Addressing his council of ministers in a video conference, Modi asked them to prepare business continuity plans to fight the economic impact of COVID-19 on a war footing, but also asserted that this crisis is an opportunity to boost the 'Make-in-India' initiative and reduce dependence on other countries.

US launches missile strike against Syria

US launches missile strike against Syria

Rediff.com7 Apr 2017

Two US warships fired at least 50 cruise missiles at the Ash Shai'rat airfield in Homs province in western Syria, from where the US administration believes Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad fired the chemical weapons against his own people, media reports said.

Covid vaccine possible by 2021 first quarter: Vardhan

Covid vaccine possible by 2021 first quarter: Vardhan

Rediff.com13 Sep 2020

Vardhan stated the government is taking full precautions in human trials of vaccines and the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 under the chairmanship of Dr V K Paul, member-health, NITI Aayog, is drawing up a detailed strategy on how to immunize the majority of the population.

Lockdown tamed doubling rate of COVID-19 cases: Health ministry

Lockdown tamed doubling rate of COVID-19 cases: Health ministry

Rediff.com17 Apr 2020

Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry Lav Agarwal claimed that India has been doing better than many other countries on the outcome ratio, which is the number of recoveries from coronavirus infection versus the number of deaths.

The Great Brit who proved all predictions wrong

The Great Brit who proved all predictions wrong

Rediff.com8 May 2015

David Cameron, who became Britain's youngest prime minister since 1812 when he won elections in 2010, on Friday surprised everyone by securing a majority for the Conservatives against all odds to allow his party to govern alone for the first time in more than two decades.

Obama names Richard Verma as new US envoy to India

Obama names Richard Verma as new US envoy to India

Rediff.com19 Sep 2014

United States President Barack Obama has nominated Indian-American, Richard Rahul Verma, as the next US Ambassador to India, ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington later this month.

Modi-Trump meeting: Calling a Spade a Spade

Modi-Trump meeting: Calling a Spade a Spade

Rediff.com28 Jun 2019

'The change of vocabulary in the India-US conversation was significant and refreshing.' 'It matched the styles of Trump and Modi.' 'The differences were not papered over, but there was determination to resolve them in the days ahead,' says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Obama nominates Indian American woman for key post

Obama nominates Indian American woman for key post

Rediff.com19 Jul 2013

United States President Barack Obama has nominated Nisha Desai Biswal as the new assistant secretary of state for south and central Asian affairs.

India reports 4th coronavirus death; Total up to 173

India reports 4th coronavirus death; Total up to 173

Rediff.com19 Mar 2020

As the virus continued to spread its tentacles across India, several parts, including Kashmir valley headed towards a virtual lockdown with the administration restricting movement of people in several parts and banning all public transport in Srinagar city.

Foreign policy, declassified

Foreign policy, declassified

Rediff.com21 Feb 2014

The external affairs ministry's files, as distinct from those of the ministry of defence or the agencies, at least from before 1974 should be declassified. And if select files that are more than 40 years old are not to be declassified, the ministry should follow explicit guidelines to justify taking such a view, says Jaimini Bhagwat.

The attack on Parliament and Osama's escape

The attack on Parliament and Osama's escape

Rediff.com31 Aug 2017

'Jaish aided by LeT attacked Parliament knowing mobilisation of Indian military assets would be the consequence.' 'That mobilisation happened, necessitating a military response from Musharraf who moved troops guarding back doors out of Tora Bora, facilitating Osama's escape.'

Hafiz Saeed remains defiant; protests in Pakistan

Hafiz Saeed remains defiant; protests in Pakistan

Rediff.com31 Jan 2017

Jamaat-ud-Dawah chief Hafiz Saeed's detention may help ease India-Pakistan tension, media reports in Islamabad said on Tuesday even as supporters of the Mumbai attack mastermind launched protests across major cities against the government's decision which they say was taken under pressure from the US and India.

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.

Why the India-US relationship is in such a mess

Why the India-US relationship is in such a mess

Rediff.com23 Dec 2013

'Just how strong were the ties between the world's largest and oldest democracies that an incident involving a diplomat and a maid led to anger threatening the relationship itself? Or had the relationship been weakening in the past few years, masked by the empty symbolism of State dinners, asks Devesh Kapur.

'Obama won't promise Modi $100 billion'

'Obama won't promise Modi $100 billion'

Rediff.com29 Sep 2014

'India is going to maintain its ties to China, India is going to develop a strong relationship with the United States. It means that India is going to have the flexibility to pick and choose its friends.' 'That's traditional Indian foreign policy, and it's smart.' Former US ambassador to India Frank Wisner, one of America's sharpest minds on South Asia, tells Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com what Washington can expect from Narendra Modi's visit.

Visva Bharati demands CBI probe after campus violence

Visva Bharati demands CBI probe after campus violence

Rediff.com18 Aug 2020

The vandalism at the prestigious university, founded by Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, has snowballed into a major political row, after some ruling TMC supporters and varsity authorities filed police complaints against each other.

How Tibet was brutally 'liberated'

How Tibet was brutally 'liberated'

Rediff.com19 Oct 2020

India was fooled into believing that Communist China wanted a 'negotiated' settlement with the Tibetans; it was never the case, says Claude Arpi.

American diplomats should also respect our laws: Indian envoy

American diplomats should also respect our laws: Indian envoy

Rediff.com30 Jan 2014

To no one's surprise, the first question directed at Indian Ambassador to the United States Dr S Jaishankar -- at the end of his first public address since he assumed his duties in December -- was about the controversial Devyani Khobragade episode.

Pak seals JuD HQ; detains over 120 suspected terrorists

Pak seals JuD HQ; detains over 120 suspected terrorists

Rediff.com7 Mar 2019

At least 56 seminaries and facilities being run by JuD and its wing FIF in Pakistan's southern Sindh province have been taken over by authorities.