News for 'foreign minister'

No Cabinet Nod Needed For Some PM Visit Pacts

No Cabinet Nod Needed For Some PM Visit Pacts

Rediff.com10 Mar 2026

India has amended its guidelines governing the signing of international agreements during official visits by the prime minister, and select pacts have been exempted from prior Cabinet approval.

Middle East conflict nears nuke flashpoint, warns WHO; urges restraint

Middle East conflict nears nuke flashpoint, warns WHO; urges restraint

Rediff.com22 Mar 2026

Tedros said that the war in the Middle East has reached a perilous stage with strikes reportedly hitting the Natanz Enrichment Complex in Iran, and the Israeli city of Dimona, where a nuclear facility is located.

Stop fuelling terror next door, Jaishankar tells Poland

Stop fuelling terror next door, Jaishankar tells Poland

Rediff.com20 Jan 2026

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar conveyed a strong message to his Polish counterpart Radoslaw Sikorski regarding terrorism and the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the need for zero-tolerance towards terrorism and criticizing the selective targeting of India.

Honouring Those Who Died In Trump's Venuzuela Operation

Honouring Those Who Died In Trump's Venuzuela Operation

Rediff.com10 Jan 2026

Venezuela's interim President Delcy Rodriguez led a solemn ceremony in Caracas honouring Venezuelan and Cuban military personnel who died during the US operation to capture ousted President Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores.

IndiGo Reports Lowest Pilots-to-Aircraft Ratio in India

IndiGo Reports Lowest Pilots-to-Aircraft Ratio in India

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

IndiGo has the lowest pilots-to-aircraft ratio among domestic airlines in India, according to data presented in Parliament. SpiceJet and Akasa Air have the highest ratios. Air India Express employs the most expat pilots.

A War Of Attrition Is The Last Thing Trump Expected

A War Of Attrition Is The Last Thing Trump Expected

Rediff.com14 Mar 2026

As days turn into weeks and America loses more planes, as the destruction of trillions of dollars worth military assets piles up, and dead bodies of soldiers return in ever greater numbers in coffins, Trump will have to answer some very difficult questions to save his presidency, notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

This War May End US Military Presence In Middle East

This War May End US Military Presence In Middle East

Rediff.com9 Mar 2026

'The entire US ecosystem built over decades at the bases in the Gulf region, especially the UAE, costing trillions of dollars have been decimated, dealing a mortal blow to the US Central Command's war capability,' points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Mark my words...: Iran FM's warning after US sinks Iranian warship

Mark my words...: Iran FM's warning after US sinks Iranian warship

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

Amid rising tensions, Iran threatens retaliation after the United States confirms sinking its warship, IRIS Dena, in international waters, escalating conflict in the region.

1,000 Indians still in Iran: MEA to Parl panel

1,000 Indians still in Iran: MEA to Parl panel

Rediff.com18 Mar 2026

The Ministry of External Affairs informed a parliamentary committee that nearly 1,000 Indians remain in Iran amidst the West Asia conflict, and 23,000 students in the Gulf region missed CBSE exams due to the turmoil.

Veteran journalist HK Dua, media advisor to 2 PMs, passes away

Veteran journalist HK Dua, media advisor to 2 PMs, passes away

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

Eminent journalist HK Dua, who led editorial operations at three of India's leading newspapers, has died at the age of 88. He was also a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha and served as media advisor to two prime ministers.

Centre Slashes Excise Duty on Petrol to 3, Diesel to Zero: Big Relief for Consumers

Centre Slashes Excise Duty on Petrol to 3, Diesel to Zero: Big Relief for Consumers

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

The government has sharply reduced excise duty on petrol to 3 and diesel to zero, offering major relief to consumers. Here's how the price cut will impact fuel rates and inflation.

Victorious in polls, BNP presses for Hasina's extradition

Victorious in polls, BNP presses for Hasina's extradition

Rediff.com13 Feb 2026

The Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) has reiterated its demand for the extradition of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina from India to face trial in Bangladesh, emphasizing the need for equal and respectful relations with all neighboring countries.

Gulf War: Will Trump Strike A Deal With Iran?

Gulf War: Will Trump Strike A Deal With Iran?

Rediff.com28 Mar 2026

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are actively pushing Trump to take the war to its bitter finish and 'erase' Iran's presence in the geopolitics of the region. Simply put, the two most powerful Sunni Arab oligarchies are on the same page as Israel. Such interference increases the risk of a breakdown in dialogue between the US and Iran, points out Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Sri Lanka lets second Iranian ship dock in Trincomalee, evacuates 208

Sri Lanka lets second Iranian ship dock in Trincomalee, evacuates 208

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

Sri Lanka is deliberating appropriate action after a second Iranian ship sought entry to its territorial waters, following an attack on an Iranian frigate near the island nation. The government is focused on safeguarding lives and regional peace.

Sri Lanka Permits Second Iranian Ship Entry After Frigate Incident

Sri Lanka Permits Second Iranian Ship Entry After Frigate Incident

Rediff.com5 Mar 2026

Sri Lanka has allowed a second Iranian ship, IRINS Bushehr, to dock at Trincomalee port after it reported engine failure, following the sinking of an Iranian frigate. The move comes amidst heightened regional tensions and a joint US-Israeli attack on Iran.

Punjab CM Accuses Centre of 'VIP Treatment' to Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi

Punjab CM Accuses Centre of 'VIP Treatment' to Gangster Lawrence Bishnoi

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has accused the central government of providing 'VIP treatment' to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, criticising perceived double standards in dealing with crime.

Cong claims Epstein shaped India-Israel ties after 2014, cites emails

Cong claims Epstein shaped India-Israel ties after 2014, cites emails

Rediff.com25 Feb 2026

The Congress party has alleged that convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein played a role in shaping the India-Israel relationship after 2014, citing email exchanges made public under the 'Epstein Files'.

Russia warns US-Israeli strike on Iranian port risks Caspian conflict

Russia warns US-Israeli strike on Iranian port risks Caspian conflict

Rediff.com20 Mar 2026

Russia has expressed strong concern over a US-Israeli strike on the Iranian port of Bandar Anzali, a key transit hub on the INSTC, warning of the risk of drawing Caspian states into the ongoing conflict.

'India's Mettle Will Be Tested In Gulf War'

'India's Mettle Will Be Tested In Gulf War'

Rediff.com7 days ago

'India's ties with Israel have to do with defence and general technology.' 'The war changes nothing in what India and Israel hope to get from the relationship.' 'It's not as though India will get significantly more benefits from Iran if India abandons Israel at this time.'

India Should Have Been Better Prepared For Gulf War

India Should Have Been Better Prepared For Gulf War

Rediff.com17 Mar 2026

'Our diplomacy should have been focused on preventing war and avoiding the inevitable disruptions it would cause, posing a real risk to India's growth story,' asserts former foreign secretary Shyam Saran.

Was rare frog toxin behind Putin critic Alexey Navalny's jail death?

Was rare frog toxin behind Putin critic Alexey Navalny's jail death?

Rediff.com15 Feb 2026

European nations say their findings show that his death was not a natural result of ill health but the consequence of deliberate poisoning.

Haryana Police Unveils 'Abhedya' App to Tackle Cyber Threats

Haryana Police Unveils 'Abhedya' App to Tackle Cyber Threats

Rediff.com21 Mar 2026

The Haryana Police have launched 'Abhedya', a mobile application designed to curb cybercrime, extortion, and threatening calls. This initiative makes Haryana the first state in India to introduce such a measure, aiming to protect citizens from various forms of digital harassment.

Caste system is meant to organise society: Adityanath

Caste system is meant to organise society: Adityanath

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

Yogi Adityanath champions national unity over caste divisions, asserting that 'casteism' weakens India's social fabric and hinders its progress on the global stage.

Govt eases FDI norms for China, other countries sharing border with India

Govt eases FDI norms for China, other countries sharing border with India

Rediff.com10 Mar 2026

The Indian government has relaxed foreign direct investment (FDI) norms for countries sharing land borders with India, including China, a move that amends press note 3 of 2020.

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

What we are watching is something different: A fog manufactured and maintained by the people who started the war, so that the question of why it was started never has to be answered, observes Prem Panicker in his must read blog on the war in the Middle East.

Iran women's team drama: Players drop asylum bid

Iran women's team drama: Players drop asylum bid

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

Five members of the Iranian women's football team, who initially sought asylum in Australia, have withdrawn their claims and are returning to Iran.

Lok Sabha rejects Oppn motion to remove Om Birla as Speaker

Lok Sabha rejects Oppn motion to remove Om Birla as Speaker

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

The Lok Sabha rejected a resolution seeking the removal of Om Birla as Speaker by a voice vote amidst opposition protests and demands for an apology from Home Minister Amit Shah.

PM Modi Reassures Support for Indians Amidst West Asia Conflict

PM Modi Reassures Support for Indians Amidst West Asia Conflict

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed an NDA rally, assuring that the Indian government is providing assistance to Indian citizens stranded in West Asia due to the ongoing conflict. He criticised the Congress party for allegedly making provocative statements and spreading rumours regarding the crisis.

Revealed: How US ensured Jaishankar's security during shutdown

Revealed: How US ensured Jaishankar's security during shutdown

Rediff.com9 Jan 2026

The US Department of State highlighted a mission-defining challenge during External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's visit in November amid the US government shutdown, detailing the security measures taken to ensure his protection.

Gulf War: Energy Shock Pushes India Towards Atmanirbharta

Gulf War: Energy Shock Pushes India Towards Atmanirbharta

Rediff.com26 Mar 2026

We cannot simply have a 60-65 per cent import dependency in LPG, the bulk of which comes from just one volatile region -- West Asia, points out R Jagannathan.

'First after WWII': US submarine sinks Iranian ship off Sri Lanka

'First after WWII': US submarine sinks Iranian ship off Sri Lanka

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

At least 101 people are missing and 78 are injured after a suspected submarine attack on an Iranian naval ship off Sri Lanka's southern coast on Wednesday, Reuters quoted sources in Sri Lanka's Navy and defence ministry as saying.

Trump Is Caught Between Two Bad Options

Trump Is Caught Between Two Bad Options

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

Fight on toward goals that keep receding, or exit with most objectives unmet. Trump is agitated, his poll numbers falling below the Plimsoll line, his base fractured between those who back the war and those who remember that he campaigned on ending them.

Will Embracing Israel Prove Costly For India?

Will Embracing Israel Prove Costly For India?

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

By appearing to privilege ideological affinity over strategic balance, India risks eroding the trust painstakingly built across West Asia. Once the perception takes hold that India's friendship is conditional and transactional, rebuilding credibility will be difficult, warns Amberish K Diwanji.

'US Won't Repeat China Trade Mistake With India'

'US Won't Repeat China Trade Mistake With India'

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

'India should understand that we are not going to make the same mistakes with India that we made with China 20 years ago.'

Punjab CM Accuses Centre of Aiding Gangster Bishnoi

Punjab CM Accuses Centre of Aiding Gangster Bishnoi

Rediff.com16 Mar 2026

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has accused the central government of providing special treatment to gangster Lawrence Bishnoi, who is accused in the Sidhu Moosewala murder case. Mann's criticism comes after Union Minister Amit Shah spoke about gang activities in Punjab.

After foreign minister, China sacks missing defence minister

After foreign minister, China sacks missing defence minister

Rediff.com24 Oct 2023

China also removed Finance Minister Liu Kun and appointed Lan Fo'an in his place. Liu is the third senior Cabinet minister to be replaced without any explanation.

Modi makes history in Israel with Knesset's highest award

Modi makes history in Israel with Knesset's highest award

Rediff.com26 Feb 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with the 'Speaker of the Knesset Medal' in recognition of his contribution to strengthening strategic relations between India and Israel, making him the first leader to receive this honor.

US-Israel-Iran Conflict: 'India Is Too Late In...'

US-Israel-Iran Conflict: 'India Is Too Late In...'

Rediff.com6 Mar 2026

'To suddenly give the impression of taking a position that is hostile to Iran, or, at least, not friendly to Iran, is not a good thing.'

Pakistan Reviews Security Amid Regional Tensions

Pakistan Reviews Security Amid Regional Tensions

Rediff.com1 Mar 2026

Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting to review regional and internal security in light of recent events in Iran and Afghanistan.

Sonia slams Centre's silence on Khamenei's killing

Sonia slams Centre's silence on Khamenei's killing

Rediff.com3 Mar 2026

Sonia Gandhi has criticised the Modi government's silence on the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader, arguing it raises doubts about India's foreign policy direction and credibility.