News for 'Working Group on Trade Facilitation'

Modi leads India to the Silk Road

Modi leads India to the Silk Road

Rediff.com7 Aug 2014

With Beijing having had a profound rethink on India's admission as a full member of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the tectonic plates of the geopolitics of a massive swathe of the planet stretching from the Asia-Pacific to West Asia are dramatically shifting. That grating noise in the Central Asian steppes will be heard far and wide -- as far as North America, says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

It's time to get real in US-India defence ties

It's time to get real in US-India defence ties

Rediff.com12 Apr 2016

New Delhi remains a priggish suitor to Washington's overtures, but it has begun appreciating potential tech benefits to ties with the US.

Why can't we have a better relationship with China?

Why can't we have a better relationship with China?

Rediff.com27 May 2017

'China's deep involvement in the stability and economic and political success of Pakistan actually produces some elements of congruence with India's core interest in a stable and productive relationship with Pakistan.' 'It is not far-fetched for us to pursue that congruence and with ingenuity work out with China a formula that also satisfies our formal position on PoK,' argues Ambassador Kishan S Rana.

Why we should not blindly trust the US dollar

Why we should not blindly trust the US dollar

Rediff.com13 Oct 2014

The fact that the US dollar has become the world's preferred reserve currency is now the core of global financial crisis, says Mohan Guruswamy.

Art 370: 'Who will suffer more? It's the security forces!'

Art 370: 'Who will suffer more? It's the security forces!'

Rediff.com13 Aug 2019

Dr Behera speaks about how the nationwide positive reaction to the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir indicates that the very idea of India is changing. From a diverse, multicultural entity, could India be becoming a place where assimilation is more important than accommodation?

Can COVID-19 live in your fridge?

Can COVID-19 live in your fridge?

Rediff.com22 Jul 2020

'The majority of transmission will be via people who are within two metres of one another.' 'The closer you are, the more likely that you'll be infected.'

Paytm aims to bring a million small merchants online

Paytm aims to bring a million small merchants online

Rediff.com3 Aug 2015

The company is modelling its many ventures on Alibaba in China.

What they said, and what it meant

What they said, and what it meant

Rediff.com1 Oct 2014

The joint statement issued after Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Barack Obama's first-ever summit is high on intent and ambition. Notably missing from the statement is India's refusal to be America's partner in its war against ISIS.

How to TAME Pakistan

How to TAME Pakistan

Rediff.com2 Nov 2016

'While military acts such as the Uri surgical strikes are one option, cultural, economic and diplomatic isolation should also be part of the arsenal,' argues Sankrant Sanu.

What CMs told PM Modi during video meet on COVID-19

What CMs told PM Modi during video meet on COVID-19

Rediff.com12 May 2020

While some CMs suggested reopening economic activity in phases, others pitched for the extension of the coronavirus lockdown, but with a carefully crafted exit strategy

Terror is gravest threat to world, says PM in Mozambique

Terror is gravest threat to world, says PM in Mozambique

Rediff.com7 Jul 2016

Amid a spurt in terror attacks in various countries, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said terrorism is the "gravest threat" to the world, "equally impacting" India and Mozambique which agreed to strengthen security and defence ties and bolster cooperation in food security.

'The real farmer doesn't go out to agitate'

'The real farmer doesn't go out to agitate'

Rediff.com3 Oct 2018

'Most of the agitations are staged by the Opposition to disturb the peace of the state.'

Why India needs a national security strategy

Why India needs a national security strategy

Rediff.com17 Jun 2016

'Ensuring through diplomatic means and in conjunction with strategic partners that India will not be required to fight a simultaneous two-front war with China and Pakistan.' Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd) lists what India must have in its national security strategy.

100% FDI in e-commerce exposes BJP's double standard

100% FDI in e-commerce exposes BJP's double standard

Rediff.com4 Apr 2016

"Not a single step has been taken by this government to empower small businesses in India," says Praveen Khandelwal, national secretary general of the Confederation of All India Traders and former treasurer of the Bharatiya Janata Party's Delhi unit.

Modi's Trump Triumph

Modi's Trump Triumph

Rediff.com27 Jun 2017

'By the time he came out after nearly five hours, he had a one-to-one conversation with the President, a delegation-level meeting, a reception, a dinner, a tour of the White House and a joint statement of a kind none of his predecessors ever had,' says Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

China surprises India; pushes for stronger anti-terror ties

China surprises India; pushes for stronger anti-terror ties

Rediff.com20 Nov 2015

India and China on Friday agreed to set up a dedicated communication channel to boost security cooperation as Home Minister Rajnath Singh held talks with China's security czar on issues like cross border terrorism from Pakistan and the Afghan situation.

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.

China opens Nathu La as 2nd pilgrimage route for Kailash pilgrims

China opens Nathu La as 2nd pilgrimage route for Kailash pilgrims

Rediff.com22 Jun 2015

China on Monday opened the second land crossing in Tibet via Nathu La to allow the first batch of Indian pilgrims undertaking the arduous Kailash-Manasarovar Yatra, in the latest confidence-building measure between the two neighbours.

Why India-China friction persists

Why India-China friction persists

Rediff.com14 Feb 2014

'After more than 20 years of understanding, nothing much seems to have been achieved. What the two countries have been trying to do is to manage the recurrence of border incursions. The two sides must address the disease, and not the symptom of the disease,' says Rup Narayan Das.

How Alia Bhatt became a bankable star

How Alia Bhatt became a bankable star

Rediff.com8 May 2017

Unlike most Bollywood kids whose careers tend to play out in fits and starts, Alia's growth has been swift and steady.

2018: Year of reckoning for India Inc

2018: Year of reckoning for India Inc

Rediff.com28 Dec 2018

A glance back at some of the important ups and down Indian Inc faced in 2018.

For lower electricity bills, Rahul sweats it out in Mumbai's streets

For lower electricity bills, Rahul sweats it out in Mumbai's streets

Rediff.com16 Jan 2016

On the final day of his two-day visit to India's financial capital, Congres vice president Rahul Gandhi tried to connect with Mumbaikars by raising the issue of high electricity bills en route his padyatra from National College, Bandra to Dharavi, Asia's largest slum colony.

30 Under 30: The world is watching these Indian super achievers

30 Under 30: The world is watching these Indian super achievers

Rediff.com5 Jan 2017

The Forbes 30 Under 30 list is harder to get into than Stanford or Harvard University. Meet the desis who made the cut this year.

Why Mudra Bank is a major landmark in our growth process

Why Mudra Bank is a major landmark in our growth process

Rediff.com24 Mar 2015

For the first time in our economic history a government has thought about more than 50 per cent of our economic activity instead of the five per cent represented by the Sensex companies, observes IIM-B professor R Vaidyanathan.

Is India-Sri Lanka fishing row nearing an end?

Is India-Sri Lanka fishing row nearing an end?

Rediff.com26 Feb 2014

Sri Lanka's signals -- that it is ready for 'joint fishing' initiatives -- and Tamil Nadu fishermen's sticking to commitments have paved the way for a negotiated settlement on a long festering issue, says N Sathiya Moorthy

Why Chidambaram is a disaster as finance minister

Why Chidambaram is a disaster as finance minister

Rediff.com5 Feb 2014

'Chidambaram, lots of people argue not without justification, is all about bluff and bluster without any concrete achievement on the ground. His record in the finance ministry fully endorses that view,' argues Virendra Kapoor.

Confused about the Budget proposals? Please read this

Confused about the Budget proposals? Please read this

Rediff.com1 Mar 2015

Indian economy about to take-off

The only purpose note ban served

The only purpose note ban served

Rediff.com4 Sep 2017

With GDP down by 2 per cent, while 99 per cent of banned notes make way back to the banking system, whom did demonetisation benefit?

Understanding Modi government's economic priorities

Understanding Modi government's economic priorities

Rediff.com20 Aug 2014

The prime minister's August 15 address was undoubtedly inspirational and outlined important economic and social objectives, such as making India a global hub for manufacturing, ensuring bank accounts for all poor families, major thrusts in sanitation and cleanliness, and a radical restructuring of the Planning Commission.

Why does the US still trust Pakistan?

Why does the US still trust Pakistan?

Rediff.com14 Dec 2015

'Despite almost $30 billion of funding since 2001, all the US reaps today is unmitigated hostility of a Pakistan emboldened to flaunt its China card.' 'How can the US give credence to any offers from Pakistan, which has trotted out the standard alibi of non-State actors time and again, including dreaded terror outfits being out of State control, Pakistan itself being a victim and so forth?'

The winners and losers in Trump's Afghan strategy

The winners and losers in Trump's Afghan strategy

Rediff.com1 Sep 2017

New Delhi and Beijing are the only two regional capitals that have commented on US President Donald Trump's speech on August 21 outlining the way forward in Afghanistan. The Indian foreign ministry statement was effusive in praise, while the Chinese statement has been one of cautious and guarded hope. Delhi has identified itself with Trump's Afghan strategy, whereas the Chinese stance is calibrated -- observant and objective, keeping a distance, says Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

If Modi can ride on anti-Cong wave, so can Kejriwal

If Modi can ride on anti-Cong wave, so can Kejriwal

Rediff.com13 Dec 2013

Could the Arvind Kejriwal-led AAP become the rallying point of new energies that are getting unleashed all over urban India, in quest for a different kind of politics, to such an extent that he can rein in Narendra Modi? It all depends on how it pans out its politics in the coming weeks, says Neerja Chowdhury.

From Ayodhya to good governance, BJP manifesto has it all

From Ayodhya to good governance, BJP manifesto has it all

Rediff.com7 Apr 2014

Contentious issues such as the construction of a Ram Temple in Ayodhya, abrogation of Art 370 giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir and enactment of Uniform Civil Code have been included in the Bharatiya Janata Party's election manifesto with the party making promises on them.

10 lodestars from Xi's Pakistan visit

10 lodestars from Xi's Pakistan visit

Rediff.com23 Apr 2015

'The Modi government's lurch toward America has not brought it any dividends so far. The Western world is simply not in a position to make big investments in India... India needs to take a leap of faith vis-a-vis China.'

Why India Inc still fears MNCs

Why India Inc still fears MNCs

Rediff.com13 May 2016

Business reacted with caution to the reforms of 1991, and demanded protection from multinationals and imports. Twenty-five years later, traces of that demand can still be found, reports Bhupesh Bhandari.

Reforms won't be easy or painless!

Reforms won't be easy or painless!

Rediff.com3 Sep 2014

'Let us also not expect that there will be a clean break with the past, much though the new government might like to think about it. In a functional democracy that is neither feasible nor desirable. But basic change it must be,' says Shreekant Sambrani.

India is proficient in making laws but lax in enforcing them

India is proficient in making laws but lax in enforcing them

Rediff.com21 May 2015

Concluding the three-part series, Paranjoy Guha Thakurta says that the black money law is likely to fail because of the ineptness of India's investigative and enforcement agencies.

Right to Privacy and the Bhagavad Gita

Right to Privacy and the Bhagavad Gita

Rediff.com28 Sep 2017

The verdict in the right to privacy case is historic and of global significance because it establishes dharma, righteousness and destroys adharma.

Right to Privacy and the Bhagavad Gita

Right to Privacy and the Bhagavad Gita

Rediff.com28 Sep 2017

The verdict in the right to privacy case is historic and of global significance because it establishes dharma, righteousness and destroys adharma.

'We know India can run -- judging by cricket -- but can it fly?'

'We know India can run -- judging by cricket -- but can it fly?'

Rediff.com18 Mar 2015

The elements are all aligned to make India a global powerhouse, says IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde.