Aditi Khanna

Stories by Aditi Khanna

I could be in England for years, Nirav Modi tells UK court

I could be in England for years, Nirav Modi tells UK court

Rediff.com   16 Nov 2023

Nirav Modi, the fugitive diamond merchant wanted in India to stand trial on fraud and money laundering charges, told a UK court on Thursday that he could be in England for years as some ongoing proceedings prevent his extradition. The 52-year-old former billionaire appeared for a hearing at Barkingside Magistrates' Court in east London via video link from Thameside prison in relation legal costs, or fines, amounting to GBP 150,247.00, accrued over his failed extradition appeal proceedings in the London high court. Dressed in a pink prison-issue outfit and sporting a moustache, a plump and bald Nirav addressed the three-member magistrates' bench to reveal that he had complied with the previous court direction to pay in GBP 10,000 per month towards the fines.

Many felt Nehruvian secularism was not fair, it led to backlash: Jaishankar

Many felt Nehruvian secularism was not fair, it led to backlash: Jaishankar

Rediff.com   16 Nov 2023

Secularism for India does not mean being non-religious but an equal respect to all faiths, but the "appeasement" government policies of the past made the biggest religion of the country feel like it had to be self-deprecatory in the name of equality, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said.

Jaishankar raises Khalistan issue with British leaders

Jaishankar raises Khalistan issue with British leaders

Rediff.com   16 Nov 2023

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has raised India's long-standing concerns about pro-Khalistan extremism in the United Kingdom during his meetings with the country's leaders, stressing that they should be on guard against the misuse of freedom of expression and speech.

Sunak sacks Indian origin home secy; Ex-PM Cameron brought in

Sunak sacks Indian origin home secy; Ex-PM Cameron brought in

Rediff.com   13 Nov 2023

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Monday sacked his Indian-origin Home Secretary, Suella Braverman, and replaced her with James Cleverly, while former premier David Cameron, in an unusual move, is back in the frontline government as the new foreign secretary.

'Devout Hindu' Rishi Sunak shares Diwali greetings

'Devout Hindu' Rishi Sunak shares Diwali greetings

Rediff.com   11 Nov 2023

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, a 'devout Hindu', issued his greetings for Diwali and Bandi Chhor Divas on Saturday expressing hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid jab faces legal threat in UK over side effects: Report

Oxford-AstraZeneca Covid jab faces legal threat in UK over side effects: Report

Rediff.com   9 Nov 2023

AstraZeneca has stressed that patient safety is its "highest priority" and pointed out that regulators around the world "consistently state that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks of extremely rare potential side effects".

Rishi Sunak, Akshata Murty celebrate Diwali at 10 Downing Street

Rishi Sunak, Akshata Murty celebrate Diwali at 10 Downing Street

Rediff.com   9 Nov 2023

The couple reflected upon their "extra special" Diwali one year on, with Sunak looking back at the "incredible moment" he visited India to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the G20 Summit in New Delhi as the first British Indian Prime Minister.

4 cops hurt during pro-Palestinian protests in UK; 29 arrested

4 cops hurt during pro-Palestinian protests in UK; 29 arrested

Rediff.com   5 Nov 2023

The Metropolitan police said more than 1,300 officers were on duty on Saturday as tens of thousands of people demonstrated against the Israel-Gaza conflict.

Stand with Israel in its darkest hour, Sunak tells Netanyahu in Tel Aviv

Stand with Israel in its darkest hour, Sunak tells Netanyahu in Tel Aviv

Rediff.com   19 Oct 2023

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Thursday pledged to stand with Israel in its "darkest hour" and welcomed the opening of a humanitarian corridor into Gaza as he held talks with the country's top leadership during his two-day visit to the Middle East aimed at preventing further escalation of conflict in the region.

Hopes of sealing India-UK trade deal in Oct may be fading

Hopes of sealing India-UK trade deal in Oct may be fading

Rediff.com   18 Oct 2023

The hope that the ongoing 13th round of negotiations towards an India-UK free trade agreement (FTA) could conclude with a deal for British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to sign off in time for the India versus England World Cup cricket clash in Lucknow on October 29 seem to be fading, according to a UK media report on Wednesday. The Financial Times quoted officials briefed on the negotiations to say that a lack of movement towards opening up of the Indian market to British professional services in the field of law and accountancy is among the factors for the slowdown. So much so that cricket fan Sunak's proposed return visit to India after an inaugural visit as UK Prime Minister to New Delhi for the G20 Summit last month is looking "very, very unlikely to happen".

Sunak dials Trudeau, asks him to de-escalate row with India

Sunak dials Trudeau, asks him to de-escalate row with India

Rediff.com   8 Oct 2023

Both leaders agreed to stay in contact as Sunak reaffirmed the UK position of respect for the rule of law after Canada's allegation of Indian involvement in the killing of a pro-Khalistan wanted terrorist.

Khalistani attack on Indian Commission: 1 held in London

Khalistani attack on Indian Commission: 1 held in London

Rediff.com   5 Oct 2023

Scotland Yard has arrested a man on suspicion of 'violent disorder' in connection with an attack on the Indian High Commission in London in March this year.

Shivaji's 'Tiger Claws' set for journey to India from UK for exhibition

Shivaji's 'Tiger Claws' set for journey to India from UK for exhibition

Rediff.com   1 Oct 2023

The MoU, expected to be signed on Tuesday, coincides with Maharashtra's 350th anniversary celebrations of the coronation of Chhatrapati Shivaji. It is then expected to be dispatched to India later this year for an agreed period.

Pro-Khalistan extremists block Indian envoy's visit to UK gurdwara

Pro-Khalistan extremists block Indian envoy's visit to UK gurdwara

Rediff.com   30 Sep 2023

The Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Vikram Doraiswami, who was touring Scotland this week was blocked from entering a gurdwara in the capital Glasgow by pro-Khalistan extremists.

Hindujas turn London's World War II era war office into a luxury hotel

Hindujas turn London's World War II era war office into a luxury hotel

Rediff.com   27 Sep 2023

The Old War Office (OWO) of Britain's World War II era prime minister Winston Churchill opened its doors as a brand-new luxury hotel in London with a glittering launch event, complete with surprise musical performances by musicians Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber and Andrea Bocelli. Princess Anne - the Princess Royal, the sister of King Charles III, officially unveiled the plaque for The OWO after a tour of the hotel with Hinduja Group co-chairman GP Hinduja on Tuesday evening. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also made a quick stopover, along with parliamentarians, entrepreneurs, hoteliers and stars of film and television.

Tata Steel, UK govt ink 1.25 billion pound JV

Tata Steel, UK govt ink 1.25 billion pound JV

Rediff.com   15 Sep 2023

The United Kingdom on Friday announced a joint investment package with Tata Steel worth 1.25 billion pounds, including a government grant of 500 million pounds, for the country's largest steelworks in Wales that will help protect thousands of jobs and boost the British economy. The government's grant has been dubbed as one of the largest British government support packages in history and a "defining moment" for the country's steel industry.

UK Parl panel rebukes Sunak over 'minor' breach in wife's share probe

UK Parl panel rebukes Sunak over 'minor' breach in wife's share probe

Rediff.com   14 Sep 2023

Last month, the parliamentary watchdog had concluded that Sunak's failure to reference his wife's shares in Koru Kids arose out of "confusion and was accordingly inadvertent".

INDIA disturbs Modi, name change panic reaction by govt, says Rahul in Belgium

INDIA disturbs Modi, name change panic reaction by govt, says Rahul in Belgium

Rediff.com   8 Sep 2023

Gandhi also said such controversies seem to play out every time his party raises concerns of "crony capitalism".

Terror suspect escapes from London jail that lodges Nirav Modi

Terror suspect escapes from London jail that lodges Nirav Modi

Rediff.com   7 Sep 2023

Former British Army soldier Daniel Abed Khalife, 21, who was awaiting trial on charges of breaching the UK's Official Secrets Act at Wandsworth Prison in south-west London, escaped allegedly by clinging to the under-carriage of a delivery van.

UK to ban Russia's Wagner Group as terrorist organisation

UK to ban Russia's Wagner Group as terrorist organisation

Rediff.com   6 Sep 2023

"Wagner is a violent and destructive organisation which has acted as a military tool of [President] Vladimir Putin's Russia overseas," said UK Home Secretary Suella Braverman.