News for 'Strategic Policy Group'

Opinions personal: Maldives distances itself from minister's Modi remarks

Opinions personal: Maldives distances itself from minister's Modi remarks

Rediff.com7 Jan 2024

In a statement on Sunday, the Maldivian foreign ministry said they were aware of the "derogatory remarks on social media platforms against foreign leaders and high-ranking individuals".

BJP manifesto promises to 'maintain peace in Northeast'

BJP manifesto promises to 'maintain peace in Northeast'

Rediff.com14 Apr 2024

In its election manifesto -- 'Sankalp Patra' -- the Bharatiya Janata Party has vowed to implement the Union Civil Code (UCC), maintain peace in the Northeast, among other key poll promises.

'Pro-China' Muizzu meets Modi, agrees to deepen ties with India

'Pro-China' Muizzu meets Modi, agrees to deepen ties with India

Rediff.com2 Dec 2023

India and the Maldives on Friday agreed to set up a core group to further deepen their partnership as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a 'productive' meeting with newly-elected Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu and discussed ways to enhance the bilateral friendship across diverse sectors.

IRFC, NBCC, SJVN, BHEL: PSU stocks are on fire; analysts see more headroom

IRFC, NBCC, SJVN, BHEL: PSU stocks are on fire; analysts see more headroom

Rediff.com15 Feb 2024

Stocks of public sector undertakings (PSUs) have been on fire in the past year as investors cheered an improvement in key operating metrics and embraced counters of these state-owned enterprises, analysts suggest. The S&P BSE PSU Index has gained over 90 per cent in the past year, rising much higher than the S&P BSE Sensex, which has rose nearly 19 per cent during this period, according to ACE Equity data. The BSE PSU Index, reports show, has delivered a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28 per cent (including dividends reinvestments) over five years and risen by almost 60 per cent in the past year.

Gold consumption highest among Indian middle-income group

Gold consumption highest among Indian middle-income group

Rediff.com12 Apr 2022

Consumption of gold is the highest among middle-income households - those with annual income between Rs 2 lakh and Rs 10 lakh - who account for an average of 56 per cent of gold sales over the last five years, according to a nationwide survey conducted by India Gold Policy Centre (IGPC) at the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A). "Per capita consumption is highest among the rich, but total volume still rests with the middle-income group. "With increasing income, there is an increasing propensity to consume gold, although the share of gold in the portfolio does not increase with the same proportion of income," the survey report says.

Will BJP commit to 3% of GDP for defence spending?

Will BJP commit to 3% of GDP for defence spending?

Rediff.com12 Mar 2024

Neither the BJP, nor the Congress before it, made any manifesto commitments on defence spending, even though allocations have plummeted from 4 per cent of gross domestic product (GDP) in the late 1980s to less than 2 per cent today, points out Ajai Shukla.

China to host Indian Ocean forum to expand influence in India's backyard

China to host Indian Ocean forum to expand influence in India's backyard

Rediff.com6 Dec 2023

CIDCA is headed by Luo Zhaohui, the former vice foreign minister and ex-ambassador to India.

India to fence entire 1,643-km Myanmar border, free movement to end

India to fence entire 1,643-km Myanmar border, free movement to end

Rediff.com6 Feb 2024

The move could virtually put an end to the Free Movement Regime prevalent along the porous border.

How India Almost Gave Away Parts Of J&K To Pakistan

How India Almost Gave Away Parts Of J&K To Pakistan

Rediff.com8 Apr 2024

India agreed to give up the Poonch salient as well as Uri. To the north India also proposed to give up land in the Gurez sector giving the entire Neelam/Kinshanganga valley to Pakistan. In return India sought control of the post dominating Kargil town, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

'Visit exceeded the lofty expectations'

'Visit exceeded the lofty expectations'

Rediff.com26 Jun 2023

'Every type of deal that US government officials were privately indicating 'hope' to have included a few months back made it in.'

Is Peace in Ukraine Possible?

Is Peace in Ukraine Possible?

Rediff.com10 Apr 2023

The responsibility for peace in Ukraine now rests in the hands of the two principal belligerents, Russia and the US, and the prime victim of this great power rivalry, Ukraine, points out Nitin Desai.

BRICS doubles in size with 5 new members; Putin hints at further expansion

BRICS doubles in size with 5 new members; Putin hints at further expansion

Rediff.com3 Jan 2024

In August, the top BRICS leaders at the grouping's summit in Johannesburg approved a proposal to admit six countries, including Argentina, into the bloc with effect from January 1.

Indian civilian team in Maldives to replace military personnel

Indian civilian team in Maldives to replace military personnel

Rediff.com28 Feb 2024

There are 88 military personnel manning the three Indian platforms that have been providing humanitarian and medical evacuation services to the people of the Maldives for the last few years using two helicopters and a Dornier aircraft.

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.

Will Wagner 'Coup' Trigger Putin's Nukes?

Will Wagner 'Coup' Trigger Putin's Nukes?

Rediff.com27 Jun 2023

The coup attempt has weakened Putin's position and in desperation he may well sanction the use of nukes, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

'Matter of time before China starts creating problems'

'Matter of time before China starts creating problems'

Rediff.com20 Nov 2023

'Manipur is critical to India's Look East policy.' 'It's a strategic state. In the Second World War, the Japanese entered Manipur through Burma.' 'China can use the same direction to approach India.'

Limited choices in strategic partners in defence

Limited choices in strategic partners in defence

Rediff.com25 Sep 2019

The defence ministry has lost sight of what it intended to achieve -- which was to nurture private defence firms that would compete on equal terms with the 9 defence PSUs and the 41 Ordnance Factory Board factories.

MUST READ! How India can steal China's thunder

MUST READ! How India can steal China's thunder

Rediff.com1 Mar 2012

One of the chapters in the document titled 'Asian Theatre' has quite elaborate comments on China, and opines that India's China strategy has to strike a careful balance between cooperation and competition, economic and political interests, bilateral and regional contexts. Rediff.com publishes verbatim a part of the chapter 'Asian Theatre'.

Is India Distancing Itself From Israel?

Is India Distancing Itself From Israel?

Rediff.com27 Dec 2023

India's voting pattern in the United Nations with regard to the Israel-Palestine conflict is lately marked by a calibrated distancing from Israel, observes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

After 17 years of toil, India is finally ready for tryst with semiconductors

After 17 years of toil, India is finally ready for tryst with semiconductors

Rediff.com19 Mar 2024

The exclusive club that dominates the global semiconductor fab scenario is about to get a new member. Taiwan, South Korea, and China control nearly 70 per cent of the global capacity. SEMI, the global industry body for semiconductor and electronics design and manufacturing, projects all fabs collectively will churn out 30 million wafers a month this year.

If we were more Bharat...: Jaishankar on India-China ties

If we were more Bharat...: Jaishankar on India-China ties

Rediff.com4 Jan 2024

The external affairs minister also recalled how Pandit Nehru was hesitant in taking assistance from the United States following the 1962 war with China as he was unsure how it would be seen.

Prez terminates Army Major over security norms breach

Prez terminates Army Major over security norms breach

Rediff.com31 Oct 2023

The sources said the President, who is also the supreme commander of the three services, signed the order terminating the services of the Major around a week ago while exercising powers under the Army Act, 1950.

'Farmers are our Annadata'

'Farmers are our Annadata'

Rediff.com15 Aug 2024

This is the full text of the address to the nation by President Droupadi Murmu on the eve of India's 78th Independence Day.

What Deals Will Be Signed On Macron's Visit?

What Deals Will Be Signed On Macron's Visit?

Rediff.com24 Jan 2024

Officials hint the visit could finally see a formal defence industrial road map being adopted by both nations.

'Nuclear Has To Get Into Achche Din'

'Nuclear Has To Get Into Achche Din'

Rediff.com20 May 2024

'Chinese are going bang, bang, bang building 30-35 reactors.' 'We should announce a programme of 50 new reactors and show that we mean business on the ground and not just announcements.'

3 disadvantages of group life insurance

3 disadvantages of group life insurance

Rediff.com4 Apr 2017

If you quit or change jobs in your 40s, buying an individual term plan will be expensive. You might not even get one if you have health problems, says Priya Nair

US warned of Palestinian-Israeli conflict risk days before Hamas attack

US warned of Palestinian-Israeli conflict risk days before Hamas attack

Rediff.com14 Oct 2023

The intelligence updates, dated September 28 and October 5, indicated that Hamas was preparing to escalate rocket attacks across the border. An October 5 wire from the CIA warned generally of the increasing possibility of violence by Hamas.

'China did not get its way'

'China did not get its way'

Rediff.com6 Sep 2023

'There's no pro-China tilt in BRICS.' 'All these countries want to be close to China, but they are all good friends of India also.'

Sushma and Kerry steer Indo-US ties into strategic gear

Sushma and Kerry steer Indo-US ties into strategic gear

Rediff.com23 Sep 2015

Recognising the threat posed by outfits like the Al Qaeda, Lashkar-e-Tayiba and the Dawood Ibrahim network, India and the United States have agreed to deepen cooperation in fighting terrorism and asked Pakistan to bring to justice the 2008 Mumbai attack perpetrators.

Top Indian Army commanders 'draw lessons' from Gaza, Ukraine wars

Top Indian Army commanders 'draw lessons' from Gaza, Ukraine wars

Rediff.com20 Oct 2023

Top commanders of the Indian Army deliberated on the Russia-Ukraine war and Israel-Hamas conflict at a five-day conclave to draw relevant lessons besides focusing on ways to make the force 'future ready' in line with with emerging contours of threats and challenges.

India-South Korea's win-win strategic partnership

India-South Korea's win-win strategic partnership

Rediff.com14 Jan 2014

The visit of Park Geun-Hye to India, though a symbolic one, will certainly give a further impetus to the strategic partnership between the two countries says Rup Narayan Das.

PSU Disinvestment: Modi Missing The Bus

PSU Disinvestment: Modi Missing The Bus

Rediff.com3 Oct 2023

'Inter-ministerial coordination, information on the proposed PSUs, and due diligence are taking longer than expected to conclude the process.'

Air India sale to boost privatisation: Survey

Air India sale to boost privatisation: Survey

Rediff.com31 Jan 2022

Air India sale will give a boost to India's privatisation drive, the Economic Survey said on Monday, as it suggested redefining the public sector role in business enterprises to encourage private participation in all sectors. The government earlier this month handed over ownership rights in national carrier Air India to Tata Group for Rs 18,000 crore. The amount includes the takeover of the debt burden of Rs 15,300 crore and another Rs 2,700 crore in cash.

India a key pillar of Trump's foreign policy: Pompeo

India a key pillar of Trump's foreign policy: Pompeo

Rediff.com23 Jul 2020

The United States, he said, 'desires a new age of ambition' in its relationship with India. Asserting that the US has never been more supportive of India's security, he said New Delhi too, is an important partner and a key pillar of President Trump's foreign policy.

ISRO, NASA in talks to place Indian on ISS next year

ISRO, NASA in talks to place Indian on ISS next year

Rediff.com8 Sep 2023

India and the US on Friday said they have started talks to put in place a strategic framework for human space flight by year-end as they plan to send an Indian astronaut to the International Space Station in 2024.

India's G20 Presidency Is Largest Ever

India's G20 Presidency Is Largest Ever

Rediff.com7 Sep 2023

The first summit in South Asia, it will host the largest delegation of 43 heads of State and government as well as the heads of international organisations.

India's National Security is being transformed

India's National Security is being transformed

Rediff.com22 Oct 2018

Prime Minister Modi felt there were too many silos with no arrangement to take a comprehensive view on national security. The PM has entrusted NSA Ajit Doval to evolve a comprehensive roadmap and get it implemented, reveals Nitin Gokhale, Editor-in-Chief, Strategic News International.

How India enhanced its military might in 2023

How India enhanced its military might in 2023

Rediff.com31 Dec 2023

India also went on an overdrive in expanding its military engagement with like-minded countries in its neighbourhood and beyond in the face of China's relentless attempts to become a regional hegemon and establish its primacy in South Asia.

Centre releases first ever list of 30 critical minerals

Centre releases first ever list of 30 critical minerals

Rediff.com29 Jun 2023

In a significant move to enhance its strategic resource security, India has officially released its first-ever critical minerals list, identifying 30 key critical minerals crucial to the nation's economic growth and technological development. This pioneering step aims at reducing import dependence, enhancing supply-chain resilience, and supporting the country's net-zero objectives. Union Minister Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines Pralhad Joshi, while releasing the Critical Minerals for India report in New Delhi on Wednesday, said, "India is readying for an Atmanirbhar Bharat."

At ASEAN, Modi presents 12-point proposal to bolster cooperation

At ASEAN, Modi presents 12-point proposal to bolster cooperation

Rediff.com7 Sep 2023

Modi attended the 20th ASEAN-India Summit in Jakarta. Secretary-General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn also attended the summit.