All stories by Lalit K Jha
Pannun plot: Biden admin briefs 5 Indian-American lawmakers on Gupta's case
Rediff.com16 Dec 2023Congress members Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Shri Thanedar released a joint statement after receiving a classified briefing from the Biden Administration on Gupta's indictment.
US reaches H-1B cap for fiscal year 2024
Rediff.com15 Dec 2023The US has received a sufficient number of petitions needed to reach a cap for the much-sought-after H-1B foreign work visas for the fiscal year 2024, a federal agency has announced. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.
'Historically, 2023 is the best year for India-US ties'
Rediff.com8 Dec 2023The relationship between the US and India has been very productive, in particular on the trade and technology front, and 2023 can be considered the best year historically for bilateral ties, according to a former top American trade official. Arun Kumar, an Indian-American, who served as the assistant secretary of Commerce for Global Markets and director general of the US and Foreign Commercial Service (USFCS) during the Obama administration, said this during an interview with PTI in Washington. "Looking back on 2023, it was a very productive year for the US-India relationship, by many accounts the best year historically," he said.
Want it fully investigated: US on Pannun murder plot
Rediff.com8 Dec 2023'We've said that we're glad that our Indian counterparts are taking it seriously and doing that. We want those responsible for these attacks to be held fully accountable, but I won't get ahead of an investigation that isn't complete'
'NIKKI=CORRUPT': Ramaswamy steps up attack against Haley
Rediff.com7 Dec 2023Ramaswamy launched the volley of charges against the former South Carolina governor and US ambassador to the UN in Arizona during the Republican Party's fourth presidential debate, which was attended by just four candidates, the other two being former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
US to wait for India's probe into plot to kill Pannun
Rediff.com6 Dec 2023"We have noted at the most senior levels of this government the secretary of state has raised this directly with his foreign counterpart that we take this issue very seriously. They told us they would conduct an investigation," State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters at his daily news conference on Tuesday.
'We take it very seriously': US on plot to kill Pannun
Rediff.com1 Dec 2023India on Thursday described as a "matter of concern" the US charging the Indian national with conspiring to kill the Sikh separatist, and asserted that a high-level probe committee will investigate all aspects of the case.
Kissinger used racist, misogynist language for then PM Indira Gandhi
Rediff.com30 Nov 2023Speaking about the issue in India in March 2012 at a media conclave, Kissinger defended his use of unparliamentary language while referring to Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.
H-1B visa renewal programme to start in Dec, Indians to benefit most
Rediff.com29 Nov 2023In a move that will benefit a significantly large number of Indian technology professionals, the US is set to begin a pilot programme for domestic renewal of certain categories of H-1B visas in December. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. Technology companies depend on it to hire tens of thousands of employees each year from countries like India and China.
Taiwan remains a flashpoint as Biden, Xi agree to mend ties
Rediff.com16 Nov 2023The United States-China Summit meeting concluded at a sprawling mansion in Woodside, California with Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping agreeing to work towards ensuring that the differences between the two countries remain manageable and the relations do not derail.
Still believe he's a dictator: Biden after meeting Xi
Rediff.com16 Nov 2023United States President Joe Biden has once again called his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping a 'dictator', just hours after they met for the first time in more than a year and held candid and productive discussions to revive bilateral ties.
10 Indian-Americans win state, local polls in US
Rediff.com9 Nov 2023At least 10 Indian-Americans, almost all of them Democrats, have won local and state level elections held in several parts of the country, reflecting the growing political empowerment of the ethnic community that constitutes a little over one percent of the United States' population.
Indian student, who was stabbed at a gym in US, dies
Rediff.com9 Nov 2023Varun Raj Pucha, the 24-year-old Indian student who was stabbed at a fitness centre in the United States state of Indiana, has succumbed to his injuries, the university where he was studying has said.
Indian student stabbed in US still on life support
Rediff.com2 Nov 2023P Varun Raj, the 24-year-old Indian student who was stabbed at a fitness centre in the United States state of Indiana over the weekend, continues to be in a critical condition and is on a life support, sources familiar with his ongoing treatment said.
Indian Student Stabbed In US Gym, Critical
Rediff.com1 Nov 2023'Varun was attacked with a knife by his attacker. He was ultimately taken to a Fort Wayne hospital due to the severity of his injury and was reportedly given a zero to five per cent chance of survival.'
Biden links Hamas attack to India-Mideast-Europe economic corridor
Rediff.com26 Oct 2023Biden told reporters at a joint news conference with the visiting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese that his analysis is based on his instinct and does not have any proof for this.
Israelis can decide: Biden on ground invasion of Gaza
Rediff.com25 Oct 2023Amidst reports of an imminent ground invasion of Gaza by Israel, President Joe Biden has said that Israel can make its own decisions, as the United States firmly backs its ally while urging caution.
Chinese FM to visit US from Oct 26 to 28 ahead of Biden-Xi meet next month
Rediff.com24 Oct 2023Blinken will host his Chinese counterpart in Washington from October 26-28, the state department said in a press release on Monday.
US 'concerned' over Canadian diplomats leaving India
Rediff.com21 Oct 2023The United States on Friday expressed concern over the departure of Canadian diplomats from India and said that it expects New Delhi to uphold its obligations under the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
China developing nuke missiles that can hit targets in US: Pentagon
Rediff.com19 Oct 2023China has more than 500 nuclear bombs in its arsenal and is developing new Inter-Continental Ballistic Missiles (ICBMs) that will significantly improve its nuclear-capable missile forces, the Pentagon said on Thursday.