All stories by AZIZ HANIFFA
Why US Reps aren't buying decision against inviting PM Modi
Rediff.com5 Sep 2014The debate over Prime Minister Modi's nixed Congressional address continues. Aziz Haniffa has the scoop
Why Modi won't be addressing US Congress joint session
Rediff.com3 Sep 2014Lawmakers were not going to be in town on that particular day, and would be in their constituencies preparing for the mid-term elections in November. Rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa reports
A peek into the first 'langar' on Capitol Hill
Rediff.com3 Sep 2014Members of the United States Congress break bread to celebrate the contributions of Sikh Americans. Rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa reports
US calls for Saffron Revolution in India's energy sector
Rediff.com2 Sep 2014Climate change and US-India collaborations in renewable energy resources will be up for discussion at the US-India energy summit coinciding with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Washington, DC, later this month, reports Aziz Haniffa.
Why multi-millionaire Neel Kashkari posed as a homeless man
Rediff.com1 Sep 2014It's jobs and not more welfare that people want, says Republican gubernatorial challenger Neel Tushar Kashkari, who posed as a homeless job seeker for 7 days. Aziz Haniffa reports
Dr Devinder Singh to head Maryland Board of Physicians
Rediff.com13 Aug 2014Dr Devinder Singh, associate professor, Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Maryland, School of Medicine, has become perhaps the first second-generation Indian American to head a state medical board.
Ahmed Daver Faheem to head West Virginia Board of Medicine
Rediff.com13 Aug 2014Dr Faheem is the second Indian-American physician to be elected to this position. Aziz Haniffa/Rediff.com reports
Vardhan promises 15-day approval for Indian-American doctors
Rediff.com1 Aug 2014Union Health Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan, while addressing American Association of Physicians Of Indian Origin members, promised Narendra Modi-led NDA government's approval within 15 days if Indian-American doctors apply online for the area of choice where they want to serve. Rediff.com's Aziz Haniffa reports from San Antonio.
'India's implicit support to Russia is disappointing to the US'
Rediff.com25 Jul 2014Several American lawmakers have slammed India for failing to condemn Russia's aggression in Ukraine, Russian rebels' downing of flight MH17 and the annexation of Crimea. The leaders also raised the issue of repeated abuse and violence against minorities and women in India. Aziz Haniffa reports.
Kris Kolluri to oversee ops at New Jersey's top public universities
Rediff.com4 Jul 2014Kris Kolluri, a former New Jersey senior government official, was recently appointed the new chief executive officer of the Rowan University/Rutgers-Camden board of governors.
Obama appoints Indian American to national science board
Rediff.com4 Jul 2014Dr Sethuraman 'Panch' Panchanathan, senior vice president, Office of Knowledge Enterprise Development, ArizonaStateUniversity, was last week appointed to the United States National Science Board by President Barack Obama.
US: Jay Chaudhuri to head $3 trillion pension funds group
Rediff.com2 Jul 2014Jyoti 'Jay' Chaudhuri, general counsel and senior adviser to the state treasurer of the US state of North Carolina, was elected chairman of the board of the Council of Institutional Investors, last month.
'We need to stop thinking about how older people are a burden to society'
Rediff.com5 Jun 2014Distinguished Indian American professor of psychiatry and neurosciences Dr Dilip V Jeste has been appointed the first associate dean for Healthy Aging and Senior Care at the University of California. In an exclusive conversation with Aziz Haniffa, Dr Jeste speaks elaborately on his road map ahead, and also the need to change mindset towards ageing and aged people.
Indian students from US write to Pranab against Assam violence
Rediff.com5 Jun 2014Several Assamese-origin students studying in American universities met with Indian embassy officials to deliver a letter to President Pranab Mukherjee on the killing of over 32 Muslims in Assam as a result of election-related violence there. Aziz Haniffa reports
'Isi' Siddiqui joins Center for Strategic and International Studies
Rediff.com4 Jun 2014Ambassador Islam A'Isi' Siddiqui -- who recently resigned from his position as chief agricultural negotiator in the office of the United States trade representative -- has joined the Center for Strategic and International Studies as senior adviser on Global Food Security.
'Best India can hope from Pakistan is some version of status quo'
Rediff.com29 May 2014India'Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been congratulated for his speedy diplomacy and his talks with Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif. However, academic Christine Fair and former Pakistan ambassador to US Husain Haqqani dismiss the meeting, calling it merely a photo-op and an exercise in futility. Aziz Haniffa reports.
Washington to Modi: Visa ready when you are
Rediff.com23 May 2014United States recognises that the Indian electorate has weighed in with a resounding mandate for Narendra Modi, and we want to work with the prime minister-designate on advancing his goals for India as a regional and global player, says Gujarat-born US State Department official Nisha Desai Biswal.
US lawmakers hail India's verdict
Rediff.com23 May 2014A host of United States lawmakers attended an event on Capitol Hill on Friday to hail India's election and the Bharatiya Janata Party's landslide victory, and to also invite Narendra Modi to Washington to discuss issues ranging from counter-terrorism to bilateral economic cooperation and investment.
'US has allowed Indian relationship to weaken, lose punch'
Rediff.com23 May 2014Former US Ambassador to India David Mulford, who served for five years in Delhi during the George W Bush administration, has sated that Washington should apologised publicly for the way former New York Indian Consul General Devyani Khobragade was strip and cavity searched last December following her arrest for alleged exploitation of her maid.
Kathleen just a stop-gap till Obama finds new envoy to India
Rediff.com23 May 2014Kathleen Stephens, a career foreign service officer who has never served in India but was United States Ambassador to South Korea from 2008 to 2011, will only be a stop-gap charge at Roosevelt House in New Delhi, till President Obama names a new envoy to India.