News for 'State for External'

Beijing reacts to Quad ministers' New Delhi statement

Beijing reacts to Quad ministers' New Delhi statement

Rediff.com26 May 2026

In response to the Quad ministers' joint statement, China on Tuesday said it opposes the creation of exclusive 'small cliques' and 'bloc confrontation'.

How Perplexity Is Revolutionising AI With Hybrid Systems

How Perplexity Is Revolutionising AI With Hybrid Systems

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

Perplexity CEO Aravind Srinivas presented the company's vision for advanced AI operating systems at COMPUTEX 2026, detailing how Perplexity Computer orchestrates up to 20 AI models for efficient task management. The system uses hybrid agentic inference to balance performance, privacy, and cost by deploying models locally or via data centres based on task complexity, a concept supported by Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan's focus on on-device AI.

India, Venezuela vow long-term energy tie-up

India, Venezuela vow long-term energy tie-up

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

India's procurement of Venezuelan crude oil has picked up momentum since April and the South American nation has already emerged as the third largest oil supplier to the country.

Jharkhand MP, MLA Face Charges Over Road Blockade Protest

Jharkhand MP, MLA Face Charges Over Road Blockade Protest

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

An FIR has been lodged against BJP's Dhanbad MP Dhullu Mahato and Dumri MLA Jairam Mahato for allegedly abetting protesters in blocking a road in Bokaro district.

Will Pakistan rethink its Israel policy after Rubio talks?

Will Pakistan rethink its Israel policy after Rubio talks?

Rediff.com29 May 2026

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met with Pakistan's Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar amid American demand that countries mediating the peace talks with Iran join the Abraham Accords and establish diplomatic and economic ties with Israel.

Mamata questions security lapse after attack on Abhishek

Mamata questions security lapse after attack on Abhishek

Rediff.com31 May 2026

Mamata Banerjee has expressed shock over the attack on her nephew and party MP Abhishek Banerjee, raising questions about security arrangements and his subsequent treatment at a hospital. She alleged that there was pressure on doctors regarding his treatment and that the incident could have had fatal consequences.

Putin makes big Su-57 offer to India, proposes joint production

Putin makes big Su-57 offer to India, proposes joint production

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

Russian President Vladimir Putin has offered New Delhi Russia's fifth-generation stealth aircraft Sukhoi Su-57 and even suggested that the combat jet could even be jointly produced in India in line with the strong strategic partnership between the two countries.

Marco Rubio arrives in India; Quad, trade, defence on agenda

Marco Rubio arrives in India; Quad, trade, defence on agenda

Rediff.com23 May 2026

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrived in Kolkata for a four-day diplomatic tour to India, marking the first visit by a US secretary of state to the city in 14 years. His itinerary includes meetings with Indian officials, energy talks, and a Quad Foreign Ministers Meeting.

Rubio's maiden India visit aims to repair strained ties

Rubio's maiden India visit aims to repair strained ties

Rediff.com23 May 2026

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India for four days to strengthen bilateral relations, holding talks with Indian leaders and attending the Quad foreign ministers' meeting.

RBI Achieves Near-Perfect Application Processing Rate

RBI Achieves Near-Perfect Application Processing Rate

Rediff.com1 Jun 2026

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced that it processed 99.9 per cent of applications within the prescribed timeline under its Citizen's Charter in May 2026. The central bank handled 18,763 applications, showcasing efficient processing across various functions.

Household Healthcare Costs Rise Again

Household Healthcare Costs Rise Again

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

Private hospitals accounted for 30.8 per cent of current health expenditure in FY23, while pharmaceuticals and medical goods contributed more than 21 per cent, underlining continued dependence on private healthcare and medicine spending.

Bilateral mechanism in place for deportation of illegal Bangladeshis: Govt

Bilateral mechanism in place for deportation of illegal Bangladeshis: Govt

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

India on Friday reiterated that it follows a structured bilateral mechanism for the deportation of illegal Bangladeshi nationals and expressed hope that pending nationality verification requests with Dhaka would be expedited, amid fresh allegations by Bangladesh that the Border Security Force (BSF) was attempting to push people across the border.

Marco Rubio to visit India for Quad talks

Marco Rubio to visit India for Quad talks

Rediff.com20 May 2026

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will visit India from May 23-26 to enhance cooperation in trade, defence, and energy, attending meetings with senior Indian officials and participating in a Quad group meeting in New Delhi.

Unidentified Man's Body Recovered From Delhi Canal

Unidentified Man's Body Recovered From Delhi Canal

Rediff.com19 May 2026

Police in New Delhi recovered the body of an unidentified man from a canal in the New Ashok Nagar area. The body was found floating in the Kondli Canal near Kondli Pul, and an investigation has been initiated.

'I'll have you raided': Lalit Modi's big Tharoor claim

'I'll have you raided': Lalit Modi's big Tharoor claim

Rediff.com4 Jun 2026

Lalit Modi claimed Shashi Tharoor warned him not to question Sunanda Pushkar and threatened government action if he proceeded.

India raises visa concerns with US over immigration policy changes

India raises visa concerns with US over immigration policy changes

Rediff.com24 May 2026

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised India's concerns with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding changes to US visa and immigration policies, emphasising that legal mobility should not be negatively affected. Rubio acknowledged potential 'bumps' during the transition as the US aims to improve its immigration system.

'Why Did US Shoot A Missile Killing Indians?'

'Why Did US Shoot A Missile Killing Indians?'

Rediff.com13 Jun 2026

'The US was well aware of the nationality of the seafarers on board the vessels. It was not hidden. The nationality of those aboard a merchant ship is known to all the ports.' 'So, why did US shoot a missile that resulted in the deaths of the Indian mariners?'

Special Team To Investigate Deaths Of Two Girls In Sirmaur

Special Team To Investigate Deaths Of Two Girls In Sirmaur

Rediff.com23 May 2026

Sirmaur police have formed a special investigation team (SIT) to investigate the deaths of two girls whose bodies were found in the Yamuna river.

Why Rupee's Pain Is Self-Inflicted

Why Rupee's Pain Is Self-Inflicted

Rediff.com9 Jun 2026

Why would a country that requires close to $90 billion in net foreign capital annually to create jobs, build productive capacity, and sustain rapid growth permit $30 billion of capital to flow abroad, thereby contributing to pressure on the rupee? asks Debashis Basu.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Calls Marvell A 'Trillion-Dollar Company'

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Calls Marvell A 'Trillion-Dollar Company'

Rediff.com3 Jun 2026

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has publicly endorsed Marvell Technology as a potential 'trillion-dollar company,' citing its crucial role in developing advanced connectivity solutions for next-generation artificial intelligence infrastructure. This endorsement, made at Computex 2026, follows a significant Nvidia investment in Marvell and highlights the industry's shift towards optical interconnects to meet the demands of large-scale AI systems.

'How Can A Married Woman Destroy Another Woman's Life?'

'How Can A Married Woman Destroy Another Woman's Life?'

Rediff.com3 Jun 2026

rediffGURU Anu Krishna offers advice on coping with infidelity and what to be prepared for when filing for divorce.

 Weakness Unlikely To Trigger RBI Rate Hike

Weakness Unlikely To Trigger RBI Rate Hike

Rediff.com3 Jun 2026

'The MPC is likely to prioritise the key mandate, which is inflation, while relying on other instruments to stabilise the currency and bond markets.'

Kerala Toddler's Death Ruled As Murder After Postmortem

Kerala Toddler's Death Ruled As Murder After Postmortem

Rediff.com30 May 2026

The death of a one-and-a-half-year-old boy in Nedumangad, Kerala, is now being investigated as a murder after a postmortem revealed severe internal and external injuries. The child's mother's partner is suspected of causing the fatal injuries, and police are also investigating the mother's potential involvement.

China tells Quad to stay out of its maritime backyard

China tells Quad to stay out of its maritime backyard

Rediff.com28 May 2026

China on Wednesday reacted strongly to the Quad Ministerial meeting that voiced serious concerns over the situation in the East and South China Sea, saying they should stop meddling in maritime affairs in its neighbourhood.

Villages Attacked Near Myanmar Border, Residents Flee

Villages Attacked Near Myanmar Border, Residents Flee

Rediff.com7 May 2026

Heavily armed militants attacked villages in Manipur's Kamjong district near the India-Myanmar border, torching houses and forcing residents to flee. The attack targeted Tangkhul Naga villages, with allegations pointing to Myanmar-based militant groups.

Kerala Boy Suffered Weeks Of Abuse Before Death

Kerala Boy Suffered Weeks Of Abuse Before Death

Rediff.com2 Jun 2026

A one-and-a-half-year-old boy in Kerala died after allegedly enduring weeks of brutal physical abuse, with a post-mortem examination revealing 51 injuries. The child's mother and her partner have been arrested in connection with the case.

Noida Teenager Killed After Row Over Hookah Use

Noida Teenager Killed After Row Over Hookah Use

Rediff.com27 May 2026

A 15-year-old boy in Noida was allegedly murdered by three men after his grandmother reprimanded them for introducing him to hookah. The Noida Police have arrested the three men involved in the murder.

Sensex, Nifty Dip as RBI Lowers Growth Forecast, Holds Repo Rate

Sensex, Nifty Dip as RBI Lowers Growth Forecast, Holds Repo Rate

Rediff.com5 Jun 2026

Indian benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty closed marginally lower due to profit-taking, following the Reserve Bank of India's decision to keep the repo rate unchanged while lowering its growth expectations for the current fiscal year and forecasting higher inflation.

Bangladesh police hand over Indian official's body to high commission

Bangladesh police hand over Indian official's body to high commission

Rediff.com20 May 2026

The body of Naren Dhar, an Indian Assistant High Commission Protocol Officer, was handed over to the Indian High Commission after his death in Chattogram, Bangladesh. Local authorities suspect no foul play, and a postmortem examination has been completed to determine the cause of death.

India flags energy, maritime threats at BRICS amid West Asia crisis

India flags energy, maritime threats at BRICS amid West Asia crisis

Rediff.com15 May 2026

India has expressed serious concerns about the West Asia crisis and its potential impact on energy supplies and maritime stability, urging BRICS nations to find practical solutions to geopolitical challenges and unilateral sanctions.

Illegal migration impact spreads beyond border areas: Govt

Illegal migration impact spreads beyond border areas: Govt

Rediff.com27 May 2026

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has formed a High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes to study the impact of illegal immigration and other factors on India's demographic landscape.

No double standards in fight against terror: Ajit Doval

No double standards in fight against terror: Ajit Doval

Rediff.com29 May 2026

National Security Advisor Ajit Doval called for decisive action against terrorism and said there cannot be 'double standards' in the fight against it, while addressing an international security forum in Russia.

Why IAF Needs Russian Su-57 Stealth Fighter

Why IAF Needs Russian Su-57 Stealth Fighter

Rediff.com30 May 2026

Pakistan is reportedly pursuing Chinese J-35 stealth fighters while China already operates hundreds of J-20 stealth aircraft.

Israel urges India to designate Iran's IRGC a terror outfit

Israel urges India to designate Iran's IRGC a terror outfit

Rediff.com25 May 2026

The IRGC is the most powerful branch of Iran's armed forces and operates independently of the country's regular military, answering directly to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

US ready to boost energy sales to India: Rubio ahead of New Delhi visit

US ready to boost energy sales to India: Rubio ahead of New Delhi visit

Rediff.com22 May 2026

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said that the US is ready to sell as much energy as India is willing to buy. He described India as a 'great partner' ahead of his visit to New Delhi.

Govt Eyes Steps To Contain CAD

Govt Eyes Steps To Contain CAD

Rediff.com22 May 2026

'The situation globally is quite challenging, but we have the confidence and courage of conviction that we will come out winners even in this challenging time.'

Trump is not going to make a 'bad deal': Marco Rubio

Trump is not going to make a 'bad deal': Marco Rubio

Rediff.com25 May 2026

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that significant progress has been made in negotiations with Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane. However, President Donald Trump remains cautious, vowing not to accept a 'bad deal' regarding Iran's nuclear programme and regional stability.

Odisha Boy Critically Injured In Street Dog Attack

Odisha Boy Critically Injured In Street Dog Attack

Rediff.com23 May 2026

A nine-year-old boy was critically injured in a street dog attack in an Odisha village, sparking panic among residents who allege the dog menace has been increasing.

Modi's Austerity Push Faces Reality Test

Modi's Austerity Push Faces Reality Test

Rediff.com25 May 2026

Following through announcements with enforcement of measures is key, as a run through recent Indian economic history shows, points out A K Bhattacharya.

India Is Lucky To Have Both Nehru And Modi

India Is Lucky To Have Both Nehru And Modi

Rediff.com10 Jun 2026

If one has to compare the tenures of the two prime ministers one must credit Nehru with laying the foundations on which Modi is building a grand edifice, asserts Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).