News for 'Virtual Embassy'

Homes get smarter, are you ready?

Homes get smarter, are you ready?

Rediff.com29 Sep 2018

Smart homes that do your everyday tasks are now coming on the Indian market. Several real estate firms are making this reality as they venture into constructing automated homes.

Nepal, India hold high-level talks amidst border row

Nepal, India hold high-level talks amidst border row

Rediff.com17 Aug 2020

The meeting came days after Nepal Prime Minister K P Sharma Oli telephoned his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi to greet him on India's 74th Independence Day, in the first high-level contact after bilateral ties came under severe strain following issuance of a new political map by Nepal in May.

Chinese airline suspends flights bringing medical supplies to India

Chinese airline suspends flights bringing medical supplies to India

Rediff.com26 Apr 2021

China's state-run Sichuan Airlines has suspended all its cargo flights to India for 15 days, causing major disruption to private traders' efforts to procure the much-needed oxygen concentrators and other medical supplies from the country despite Beijing reiterating its readiness to help India to deal with the latest surge of COVID-19 cases.

India to evacuate expats from violence-torn South Sudan

India to evacuate expats from violence-torn South Sudan

Rediff.com11 Jul 2016

South Sudan's capital is witnessing heavy fighting due to clashes between former rebels and government soldiers in several parts of the city.

Mr Sandhu Goes to Washington

Mr Sandhu Goes to Washington

Rediff.com17 Jan 2020

'Taranjit has the ideal temperament to deal with the Americans who understand firmness and appreciate flexibility.' 'He can hold his ground with a cheerful face and still make it clear that India and the US are partners, rivals,' says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Govt sets up team to probe 3 Gandhi family trusts

Govt sets up team to probe 3 Gandhi family trusts

Rediff.com9 Jul 2020

The inter-ministerial committee will coordinate investigation against Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, Rajiv Gandhi Charitable Trust and Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust.

Mirza will rely on form to choose his horse for Tokyo Olympics

Mirza will rely on form to choose his horse for Tokyo Olympics

Rediff.com3 Jun 2021

Indian equestrian Fouaad Mirza is yet to decide which one of his two horses will accompany him to the Tokyo Olympic Games and said he will pick the one carrying the best form leading up to the time of submitting the entry later this month.

'Ukraine has been consistently unhelpful to India's concerns'

'Ukraine has been consistently unhelpful to India's concerns'

Rediff.com8 Mar 2022

'If the Russian forces do capture Kyiv and set up some sort of provisional government, they might run into an insurgency, for which the geography is just right, it could prove costly for them.' 'In that event, the whole exercise could turn out to be counter-productive -- and costly in both foreign policy and domestic terms.'

India, China to discuss agreeable disengagement formula

India, China to discuss agreeable disengagement formula

Rediff.com13 Mar 2021

India and China on Friday held 'in-depth' discussions on addressing the remaining issues along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, holding that disengagement in the North and South banks of Pangong lake provided a good basis to work towards their early resolution.

Expect to have real, inclusive govt in Afghanistan: US

Expect to have real, inclusive govt in Afghanistan: US

Rediff.com4 Sep 2021

The United States, Blinken said, is committed to looking at everything done from day one through the present and draw lessons from it.

Mamata working for welfare of nephew: Amit Shah

Mamata working for welfare of nephew: Amit Shah

Rediff.com31 Jan 2021

Noting that the Trinamool Congress which boasts of the slogan 'Maa Mati Mansuh' (Mother, Land and people) actually indulges in extortion, corruption and appeasement, Shah exuded confidence of forming the next government in the state and take it to the path of development.

'I didn't pay $62,000 to sit in front of a computer'

'I didn't pay $62,000 to sit in front of a computer'

Rediff.com9 Jul 2020

'I have taken a loan of Rs 35 lakhs.' 'Even if my university allows me to stay, I feel cheated.' 'Thousands of Indian students in the US will be forced to return to India if their college/university courses go fully online.

China's Covid overtures don't impress India

China's Covid overtures don't impress India

Rediff.com4 May 2021

India has realised that one can only deal with China from a position of strength and that is not palatable to Beijing, observes Dr Rup Narayan Das.

US study visa: No matter what, tell the truth

US study visa: No matter what, tell the truth

Rediff.com21 May 2010

The official spokesperson of the US Embassy, New Delhi speaks about the visa process and shares advice on studying in the US.

Diplomatic Battles on Capitol Hill

Diplomatic Battles on Capitol Hill

Rediff.com28 Jan 2021

Lobbying on the Hill is time consuming and cumbersome, but very effective to influence US government policies, asserts Ambassador T P Sreenivasan, deputy chief of mission at the Indian embassy in Washington, DC after the 1998 nuclear tests and during the Kargil War.

'If the Taliban see my father, they could harm him'

'If the Taliban see my father, they could harm him'

Rediff.com17 Sep 2021

For Afghans in India, including medical tourists from the war-torn country as well as migrants and refugees staying here much longer, the safety of friends and families is the biggest concern - particularly for those linked to the now collapsed government or who have had work ties with the US.

Deserted streets, locked inside homes: Student recalls his time in Wuhan

Deserted streets, locked inside homes: Student recalls his time in Wuhan

Rediff.com6 Mar 2020

Ashish Kurme, an MBBS student studying at a university near Wuhan, tells the grim story of ground zero of the coronavirus outbreak.

Pompeo defies precedent, backs Trump's re-election bid

Pompeo defies precedent, backs Trump's re-election bid

Rediff.com26 Aug 2020

The decision to speak to the political convention in pre-recorded remarks from Jerusalem breaks with the longstanding precedent of sitting secretaries of state avoiding partisan politics and appears to violate guidance on political activities that Pompeo himself emphasised in a cable to diplomats just last month.

India, China have come to blows, will help them: Trump

India, China have come to blows, will help them: Trump

Rediff.com21 Jun 2020

'It's a very tough situation. We're talking to India. We're talking to China. They've got a big problem there'

Introspect why you are 'epicentre' of terrorism: India to Pak at UN

Introspect why you are 'epicentre' of terrorism: India to Pak at UN

Rediff.com8 Jul 2020

'The international community should call upon Pakistan to take sustained, verifiable and irreversible actions against terror outfits operating on the territory under its control'

Kerala declares coronavirus 'state calamity'; GoM meet held

Kerala declares coronavirus 'state calamity'; GoM meet held

Rediff.com3 Feb 2020

State Health Minister K K Shailaja told reporters that the government has declared the epidemic as a 'state calamity' to take all necessary steps to ensure that the outbreak is effectively controlled. A medical bulletin issued by the government said the health status of all the three students, who tested positive for the virus, was 'satisfactory'.

Ladakh standoff: Breakthrough in sight?

Ladakh standoff: Breakthrough in sight?

Rediff.com16 Oct 2020

'A breakthrough in eastern Ladakh leading to disengagement and creation of a buffer zone will obviate the need of military deployment through the winter months ahead,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Time for India to fix relations with Kuwait

Time for India to fix relations with Kuwait

Rediff.com6 Oct 2020

'Modi has visited all these three countries (the UAE more than once, inexplicably) but has left out Kuwait and Oman, the two Gulf countries that are closest to India in their political, cultural and civilisational ethos,' notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Chinese Premier visits Wuhan as 82 die; Beijing reports first death

Chinese Premier visits Wuhan as 82 die; Beijing reports first death

Rediff.com28 Jan 2020

A sense of disquiet prevailed in Beijing as officials announced the capital's first death from the deadly virus, a grim reminder that the epidemic has begun to take toll outside Hubei province.

Furious India hits back, strips US diplomats of privileges

Furious India hits back, strips US diplomats of privileges

Rediff.com17 Dec 2013

In a strong retaliation, India on Tuesday initiated a slew of steps to strip US diplomats and their families of privileges including withdrawing all airport passes and stopping import clearances for the US embassy, terming as "barbaric" the arrest and strip searching of India's Deputy Consul General in New York Devyani Khobragade.

Pak officials stop people at Indian envoy's Iftar party

Pak officials stop people at Indian envoy's Iftar party

Rediff.com2 Jun 2019

High Commissioner Bisaria in his brief address to the audience said that some of the guests could not make to the party. "I want to apologise because some of you faced a lot of trouble to come here and some of our friends could not come," he said. Bisaria also said that people had come from Lahore and Karachi to attend the event and thanked them for coming.

Needed: A new policy for the Indian Diaspora

Needed: A new policy for the Indian Diaspora

Rediff.com20 Jan 2020

On matters relating to the Diaspora, the Centre needs to call the shots, suggests Ambassador T P S Sreenivasan.

Nikki Haley invokes her Indian roots, says America is not racist

Nikki Haley invokes her Indian roots, says America is not racist

Rediff.com25 Aug 2020

Haley warned Americans that a Biden-Harris administration would lead the country on the path of socialism, which has failed everywhere in the world.

Beware of Chinese propaganda!

Beware of Chinese propaganda!

Rediff.com11 Jan 2019

China has been trying to build lobbies of influence and mould public opinion in India since at least 2017, and large sums have been invested in the effort, reveals former RA&W officer Jayadeva Ranade.

India reports 2nd coronavirus death, several states in shutdown mode

India reports 2nd coronavirus death, several states in shutdown mode

Rediff.com13 Mar 2020

The Union Health ministry put the number of positive cases at 82, eight more since Thursday night, which includes the woman and a 76-year-old man from Karnataka who became the country's first coronavirus fatality besides 17 foreign nationals, Health Ministry officials said.

PM raises issue of stapled visas with Li Keqiang

PM raises issue of stapled visas with Li Keqiang

Rediff.com23 Oct 2013

India on Wednesday objected to the issue of stapled visas by China to residents of some states over whose parts Beijing has laid claim to, even as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh pledged his commitment to visa simplification to facilitate travel of Chinese nationals.

Wave of grief as mortal remains Ladakh martyrs reach home

Wave of grief as mortal remains Ladakh martyrs reach home

Rediff.com18 Jun 2020

In heart-wrenching scenes reminiscent of the aftermath of the 2019 Pulwama terror attack in which 40 CRPF personnel were killed, coffins of soldiers arrived in several states for the last rites with full military honours.

'We are objective, fair,' says China; defends UN block on Lakhvi

'We are objective, fair,' says China; defends UN block on Lakhvi

Rediff.com9 Jul 2015

China on Thursday said its stand on blocking India against UN action on Pakistan was based on "facts" and in the spirit of "objectiveness and fairness".

Japan offers India $15 bln loan for bullet train in edge over China

Japan offers India $15 bln loan for bullet train in edge over China

Rediff.com22 Oct 2015

Japan offers India soft loan for $15 bln bullet train in edge over China

A Colossus says Goodbye

A Colossus says Goodbye

Rediff.com10 Jul 2017

Naresh Chandra -- distinguished civil servant and diplomat -- passed into the ages on Sunday, July 9. Ambassador T P Sreenivasan salutes a patriot like none other.<

Mallya case: ED to attach fresh assets

Mallya case: ED to attach fresh assets

Rediff.com11 Sep 2016

The next edition of attachments will be carried out under sections of the Criminal Procedure Code

US attack in Syria settles nothing, will strengthen ISIS

US attack in Syria settles nothing, will strengthen ISIS

Rediff.com7 Apr 2017

'Every single American act to weaken Syrian forces would only tilt the military balance in favour of ISIS whom Trump pledges to vanquish from the face of the earth,' says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

China can't silence the call for Free Tibet

China can't silence the call for Free Tibet

Rediff.com27 Apr 2018

The people who know Tibet will continue to fight the good fight. Long, hard, less than hopeful, but always peaceful.

A mysterious country that has baffled the world

A mysterious country that has baffled the world

Rediff.com28 Nov 2015

'Ne Win kept good relations with the Nehru family even though he did nothing to do business with India. When Indira Gandhi was assassinated, Ne Win took off to an undisclosed destination, leading to rumours that he had gone to India. But we had no knowledge of his visit and days later, we were told that he was so struck with grief that he went into meditation on an island.' Ambassador T P Sreenivasan delves into Rajiv Bhatia's new book on mysterious Myanmar.

The business of Indian diplomacy is business

The business of Indian diplomacy is business

Rediff.com14 Jun 2016

Making it easier to do business is a key element of our strategy, says Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar.