All stories by LALIT K JHA
The Indian American conundrum: Liberal in US, conservative in India
Rediff.com10 Feb 2021Indian-Americans have relatively more conservative views of policies in India while on issues affecting the US, the diaspora has a more liberal take, according to a survey of the political attitudes of the influential community in this country.
Biden Admin 'welcomes India's emergence as leading global power'
Rediff.com10 Feb 2021Describing India as one of the most important partners of the United States in the Indo-Pacific region, the Biden Administration on Tuesday said that it welcomes India's emergence as a leading global power and its role as a net security provider in the region.
US closely monitoring situation along Sino-India border: Official
Rediff.com10 Feb 2021The United States is closely monitoring the situation along the India-China border, a senior official said on Tuesday and expressed concerns over Beijing's pattern of ongoing attempts to intimidate its neighbours.
6 Republican Senators join Dems in support of Trump's impeachment
Rediff.com10 Feb 2021Six Republican Senators joined their Democratic colleagues in the United States Senate on Tuesday to vote that the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump is constitutional.
Indian-American comedians extend support to Munawar Faruqui
Rediff.com9 Feb 2021In their comments, the Indian-American stand-up comedians said the arrest of Faruqui was incredibly unjust and against the freedom of expression.
Biden, Modi commit towards greater Indo-US ties: White House
Rediff.com9 Feb 2021Biden and Modi committed that the US and India will work closely together to win the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, renew their partnership on climate change, rebuild the global economy in a way that benefits the people of both countries, and stand together against the scourge of global terrorism, the White House said in a readout of the call.
US seeks immediate restoration of democratically elected govt in Myanmar
Rediff.com9 Feb 2021The United States has demanded the immediate and full restoration of the democratically elected government in Myanmar and said that America stands with the elected representatives of the Asian nation.
Ensure democracy's norms maintained: US Caucus to India
Rediff.com8 Feb 2021During the meeting, the leadership of the India Caucus, which is the largest country-specific caucus in the House of Representatives, condemned the violence on January 26 in Delhi.
Allow peaceful protest by farmers: US Congress's India Panel
Rediff.com6 Feb 2021The leadership of the powerful Congressional India Caucus has urged the Indian government to ensure that the norms of democracy are maintained.
Kamala Harris' glass portrait unveiled in her honour
Rediff.com5 Feb 2021The one-of-a-kind broken glass medium used by the artist Simon Berger to create the portrait uniquely embodies Harris' glass-shattering achievement.
H-1B visas: Biden administration says lottery system to continue till Dec 31
Rediff.com5 Feb 2021The Biden administration has announced that it is delaying the H-1B policy of the previous Trump administration on allocation of the popular foreign work visas by continuing with the lottery system until December 31, 2021, to give the immigration agency more time to develop, test and implement the modifications to the registration system. On January 7, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced to do away with the traditional lottery system in deciding the successful applicants for the H-1B visas. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise.
26/11 plotter Tahawwur Rana opposes extradition to India
Rediff.com5 Feb 2021Rana's extradition is barred under Article 6 of the United States-India extradition treaty with India because he has previously been acquitted of the offences for which extradition is sought, and under Article 9 of the Treaty because the government has not established a probable cause to believe that Rana committed the alleged offences, his attorneys argued.
US will repair its alliances and engage with world again: Biden
Rediff.com5 Feb 2021In his maiden address to the employees of the State Department, the US president said he has come to the building to send a clear message to the world: America is back. America is back. Diplomacy is back.
US calls for dialogue to resolve farmer protests
Rediff.com5 Feb 2021Recognising that peaceful protests are a hallmark of a thriving democracy, the United States has said that it encourages dialogue between the protesting farmers and the Indian government to resolve their differences.
Trump lawyers call impeachment trial unconstitutional
Rediff.com3 Feb 2021The provisions do not apply to Trump, "since he is no longer 'President,'" his lawyers say.
Concerned by China's attempts to intimidate neighbours: US
Rediff.com2 Feb 2021'We will stand with friends, partners and allies to advance our shared prosperity, security and values in the Indo-Pacific region'
Biden threatens sanctions on Myanmar after coup
Rediff.com2 Feb 2021Calling the military's seizure of power in Myanmar a 'direct assault' on its transition to democracy, United States President Joe Biden on Monday threatened to slap new sanctions on the country after the junta detained State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi, President U Win Myint and other political leaders.
Global Indian Diaspora seeks repeal of farm laws
Rediff.com1 Feb 2021India has called the remarks by foreign leaders and organisations on protests by farmers as "ill-informed" and "unwarranted", asserting that the matter pertains to the internal affairs of a democratic country.
Mahatma Gandhi statue vandalised in US; India demands action
Rediff.com30 Jan 2021The statue of Gandhi, which was donated by the Indian government to the city of Davis, was installed by the city council four years ago amidst protests from anti-Gandhi and anti-India organisations.
IMF's Gita Gopinath bats for infra investment in Budget
Rediff.com27 Jan 2021Ahead of India's annual budget presentation next week, IMF's chief economist Gita Gopinath has favoured the extension of the pandemic support measures, thrust on investment in infrastructure and expanding health sectors programmes like Ayushman Bharat, and a very credible divestment path for commercially viable companies. The Indian government has provided a lot of schemes for small and medium enterprises, most of which is in the form of liquidity support, Gopinath told PTI on Tuesday. "And you want to revisit it and see how effectively that is working and see whether additional support may need to be provided," she said while responding to a question on her recommendations to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, ahead of her presentation of the annual Union Budget on February 1. It would be a good time for banks and Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) to raise capital given the attractiveness of financing conditions at this point, she said.