Syed Firdaus Ashraf marches through time to trace the bitter history between Russia and its West European neighbours.
External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on Sunday chaired a meeting of India's top envoys from Gulf countries to discuss the situation in conflict-hit Iraq where the Indian government is in the process of facilitating departure of nearly 10,000 of its nationals from non-conflict zones.
This comes as the neighbouring country strengthens defence ties with Gulf and Western European countries, and its long-standing ally Turkiye, the officials said.
Some of these nations are India's biggest export market. India is also dependent on these countries to meet its energy needs.
Qatar, Iran and Kuwait on Sunday summoned India's Ambassadors and the key Gulf nations expressed their strong protest and condemnation of the controversial remarks of a BJP leader against Prophet Muhammad.
However, copious oil supplies amid growing global output and slowing Chinese oil consumption will put India in a better bargaining position with Gulf suppliers.
India has urged investors in Gulf countries to make use of the favourable investment climate in the country and pour in foreign direct investment to aid its development projects.
It would be a challenge to India's policy makers how to deal with Trump so that mutual economic growth remains sustained and mutual understanding on global issues are not hampered, observes Dr Rajaram Panda.
Professionals working in the Gulf have been hit hard by the downturn, with almost two-thirds not receiving any pay hike and one in ten losing job this year.
Bangladesh was the largest source of foreign tourists, accounting for 21.4 per cent of all arrivals.
Engineering and construction major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) reported a 25 per cent rise in net profit attributable to the owners of the company for the January-March quarter of 2024-25, owing to higher revenues and an exceptional gain. For the quarter under review, L&T posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 5,497.3 crore, while revenue rose 10.9 per cent year-on-year (Y-o-Y) to Rs 74,392.28 crore.
'No military offensive by Pakistan will end the insurgency in Balochistan without simultaneous, concerted efforts toward political dialogue to de-escalate tensions.'
He said that the two nations will have issues in the foreseeable future. However, there are ways of addressing those issues and what happened in 2020 was not the way to address those issues.
The Gulf region has become a leading market for luxury cars and wealthy individuals are set to buy a record number of vehicles from the likes of BMW's Rolls-Royce, Fiat's Maserati and Porsche SE this year.
India's engagement with the Arab world is expected to receive a boost with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set to visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar early next month, his first trip to the Gulf during his over four year in office.
Gulf region security vital to India, says top diplomat
Prime Minister Narendra Modi met two Kuwaiti nationals who translated and published India's two iconic epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana in Arabic during his two-day visit to Kuwait. Modi, who praised their work, said it highlights the popularity of Indian culture globally. His visit to Kuwait is the first by an Indian prime minister in 43 years.
The effort is to make the PM's interaction with the diaspora at Abu Dhabi's Sheikh Zayed Sports city stadium on February 13 the largest he has addressed.
In the weeks between his phenomenal electoral victory and swearing-in as the 47th president of the United States, the world got a preview of what a second Donald Trump presidency will entail -- both for itself and America.
In a remarkable comeback to power, Donald J Trump Monday took oath as the 47th president of the United States and immediately promised a blitz of executive orders as he announced the beginning of a 'golden age' of America.
United States President-elect Donald Trump on Tuesday said that he understands the Russian feeling with NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation) being on their doorstep.
India's merchandise exports dipped by about one per cent to $38.01 billion in December 2024 against $38.39 billion a year ago, according to government data released on Wednesday. Imports increased by 4.8 per cent to $59.95 billion in December 2024 compared to $57.15 billion in the year-ago month.
The appeal was directed at a group in Iraq, which is holding seven persons, including three Indians, hostage.
The tariff war has now spread to all possible sections, with Anil Ambani group company Reliance Infocom on Wednesday announcing a 36 per cent reduction in ISD rates to all Gulf countries at Rs 6.99 a minute.
'The touchstone is reciprocity which will be applied to friends and foes alike.' 'It will be a bitter pill to swallow.'
Labourers in Saudi Arabia have asked authorities to enact a law that bans open-air work from 11 am to 3 pm during summer months due to potential health hazards.
A welfare fund meant for the Indian workers in the Gulf countries is in the advanced stage of finalisation, Minister of State for External Affairs Digvijay Singh said.
India's merchandise exports in October rose by 17.25 per cent to $39.2 billion against $33.43 billion a year ago, according to government data released on Thursday. Imports increased by 3.9 per cent to $66.34 billion in October compared to $63.86 billion in the year-ago period.
According to the officials at the Special Kuwait Cell, UNCC has approved payment of compensation to eligible claimants. The ministry has now approved and published a list containing 8,615 Indians who can claim money from UNCC.
Lulu Retail announced on Wednesday that its initial public offering (IPO) was oversubscribed 25 times across all tranches, excluding cornerstone investors, generating demand exceeding $37 billion-a record for a private sector IPO in the United Arab Emirates. The company is controlled by Kerala-based business tycoon MA Yusuff Ali. The final offer price for Lulu shares was set at AED 2.04 per share, raising a total of $1.72 billion (AED 6.32 billion), making it the largest IPO in the UAE in 2024 to date.
Sasikumar Mukund will aim for a winning return to the Davis Cup fold as India faces Togo in the World Group I Play-off.
Karim Benzema will leave Real Madrid as a free agent in the close season after 14 trophy-laden years
It was good fortune for India to have Atal Bihari Vajpayee lead the government at a crucial moment in our history. He avoided India meeting the fate of Iraq or Ukraine, asserts military historian Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
The Indian Diaspora has been able to carve a niche in their adopted countries as a result of their talent, perseverance and hardworking nature, asserts Rup Narayan Das.
rediffGURU Radheshyam Zanwar counsels students about how to pursue a career in science, medicine and technology.
Amid escalation in violence in a number of Gulf countries, India on Thursday expressed deep concern over the rise of fanaticism, extremism and terrorism in parts of the Arab region, saying they are tearing apart the fabric of societies as well as affecting regional stability.
The 30-day visa-free entry is also currently enjoyed by eight ASEAN countries for the purpose of social visits, tourism and business.
... and there is no stopping its pan-Islamic agenda, cautions Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.
In the volatile international situation where 'nativism' is on the rise and immigrant communities are being targeted, the Leader of the Opposition's statement is like adding fuel to fire. If the Indian diaspora numbering 4 crores is threatened it will constitute a grave threat to national security, warns Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
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