National Security Conversations with Happymon Jacob

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob interviews Amb. Rajiv Bhatia (Rtd. Indian Diplomat & Distinguished Fellow at the Gateway House) about India's engagement with Africa and the nature of strategic challenge from increasing Chinese presence and strategic depth in the continent. He highlights China's economic, political and strategic interests in Africa, given its natural resources, numerical heft in the international fora, and significance for China's rise as a global power. Amb. Bhatia argues that while India is seen as a benign power, the reality of Chinese power is becoming increasingly apparent. He also acknowledges that India has made significant gains in the last decade and a half but warns that its grip on Africa has gotten looser in the past 3-4 years due to Covid-19, Galwan, and Ukraine crises. He stresses that it is crucial to recognize that India's Indo-Pacific concept spans the Indian Ocean, including Africa's East Coast in the Western Indian Ocean and the African continent.

For the 125th episode of NSC, Dr. Happymon Jacob hosts a live discussion with Amb. Shyam Saran (India's Former Foreign Secretary & Author) about his latest book titled, ‘How China Sees India and the World'.

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with Dr. Avinash Paliwal (Senior Lecturer in International Relations and Deputy Director of the SOAS South Asia Institute) to discuss the Indian state's response to conflict-generated migrations since independence. Dr. Paliwal argues that the relationship between the home and the host state and the reputational benefits are the most important factors influencing a state's response to the conflict generated migrant crisis. The interview explains the nature of India's relation with the international refugee regime – including its refusal to sign the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol – and highlights the absence of a domestic legislative framework to distinguish between illegal migrants and refugees. In response to the recent movement of Rohingyas from India to Bangladesh, Dr. Paliwal argues that domestic politics appears to have gained the upper hand in India. He suggests that India's approach to conflict-generated migrations has witnessed a fundamental shift since it dealt with the Rohingyas. Dr. Paliwal appreciates India's overall approach to dealing with conflict-generated migrant crises compared to many western states, given the state of India's economy and issues of caste, class, and diversity within the country. Focusing on Myanmar since the coup and Afghanistan since the Taliban takeover, the interview also interrogates the novel development in India's foreign policy to deal with whoever happens to be in power, regardless of the regime type. For Afghanistan, Dr. Paliwal makes a strong case that India should have a presence and outreach in Kabul to avoid any strategic catastrophe.

In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Dr George Cooke (Diplomatic Historian & Senior lecturer at the Department of International Relations, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka) to discuss the ongoing economic and political crisis in Sri Lanka. Dr Cooke discusses what exactly landed Srilanka into one of the worst crises it has faced in decades, along with the strategic significance of Sri Lanka in the Indo-Pacific region. He paints a clear picture of the sufferings of ordinary Sri Lankans who are facing severe shortages of essentials, sharp price rises and crippling power cuts. Dr Cooke is critical of the current government's handling of the crisis. While acknowledging the role of the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict is exacerbating Sri Lanka's economic woes, he argues that the major share of the blame lies with the government's poor economic policies. Dr Cooke highlights India's continuous assistance to the island nation but is critical of the West for its lack of concern and support, which drove Sri Lanka to be over-reliant on China. He also argues that Sri Lanka has failed to negotiate well with China but refutes charges of “debt-trap diplomacy.

In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Amb. (Dr.) Mohan Kumar (Retd. Indian Diplomat and Professor of International Affairs at O.P. Jindal Global University) about the recently concluded free trade agreement between India and Australia. The discussion dwells on India's foreign trade policy more generally. Amb. Kumar explains why India opted out of the RCEP negotiations and highlights that India's approach now is to have Free Trade Agreements with individual countries tailor-made to suit its exports. He also highlights that migration issues in the trade flow can be reduced by the ‘Labour mobility and Partnership Agreement' between the countries. Amb. Kumar also stresses the importance of foreign trade in the growth of India's GDP. While addressing the lack of competitiveness in the Indian markets, he discusses the lack of political will that has allowed India to be held hostage to vested interests in terms of foreign trade agreements. He points out how India is moving from the Act East policy to entirely Acting West in FTA negotiations. He is critical of India for not promoting regional trade agreements with its South Asian neighbours. While he believes that trade partnerships with Japan, Australia and South Korea can help reduce India's dependency on China, he is concerned about India's trade with ASEAM. India's exports face higher tariffs in the ASEAN market than the Chinese exports to ASEAN. Alerting us to the significance of Vietnam's foreign trade agreements with the European Union, he makes a case for India and the EU to conclude an FTA or Indian products will lose out to Vietnamese products. In summary, Dr Kumar explains how international trade is becoming more preferential, strategic, and reciprocal in nature, opposite to what the WTO-regulated MFN-based trade had to offer.

In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Dr Jabin T. Jacob (Associate Professor, Department of International Relations and Governance Studies) and discusses the significance of the Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi's unannounced visit to India. Dr Jabin Jacob argues that such visits should not occur without prior discussion of the outcomes, especially in light of outstanding issues along the Line of Actual Control. He is critical of India's lack of response to Chinese transgressions and makes a strong case for punitive actions if India is to deter Chinese salami-slicing tactics in the future. Dr Jacob explains the uniqueness of the Chinese Party-State, where regime interest prevails over national interests and what it means for India-China strategic rivalry. He describes the ideological reasons behind Chinese support for authoritarian Russia against the West and delineates the complexities of the ongoing crisis in Ukraine and the lessons China might learn from it.

In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Dr Rahul Roy-Chaudhury (Senior Fellow for South Asia, The International Institute for Strategic Studies, London) about the growing significance of the Indian Ocean in the Indian strategic imagination. He explains the economic and energy dependence based on sea-lanes of communication that criss-cross the Indian Ocean. While he lauds India's appointment of its first National Maritime Security Coordinator earlier this year, he also draws attention to glaring inadequacies in India's naval capacity. Focusing on the geopolitics of the Western Indian Ocean, he highlights the importance of deepening India's security relationship with the littoral states and extra-regional powers like the UK, US, and France, among others. He makes a case for greater cooperation between India and the UK in the Western Indian Ocean. He also stresses the importance of maritime domain awareness, maritime surveillance, and intelligence-sharing. Dr Roy-Chaudhuri also addresses the China factor and its growing influence in the Indian Ocean.

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with Dr. Toby Dalton (Co-Director and Senior Fellow of the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment) and discusses the Indo-Pacific Strategy of the United States document released in February 2022. Dr. Dalton explains President Biden's China policy and the changing nature of the US alliance structure in the Indo-Pacific. He discusses the convergences and differences between the American and the Indian visions for the Indo-Pacific. He also explains how the US Indo-Pacific strategy can be a holistic approach to contain China's intention to recenter the international order while shaping the strategic environment in which China operates. He dwells on the possible implications of the ongoing crisis in Europe on the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific and the lessons regional powers might draw from it.

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with Prof. Ian Hall (Professor of International Relations and the Deputy Director (Research) of the Griffith Asia Institute, Australia) about Australia's approach and vision for the Indo-Pacific and the evolution of India-Australia relations. Prof. Hall discusses the differences in the Indo-Pacific imaginations of the US, Australia, India and Japan and outlines the complementary nature of Quad and AUKUS. He also highlights the multifaceted nature of the China challenge and discusses the Quad's diversified focus on supply-chain resilience, critical technologies, and so on. Prof. Hall weighs in on the ongoing Ukraine crisis, the nature of Russia-China relations, and their implications for the geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific.

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob interviews Amb. P.S. Raghavan (Retired Indian Diplomat and India's Former Ambassador to Russia) about the ongoing crisis over Ukraine. He argues that much of it is manufactured drama and the endgame for Russia is to correct what it perceives as security imbalance in its relations with the West and reach an accommodation with the US and its European allies. He also argues that a thaw in US-Russia relations suits Russia and India. Russia does not want to be an appendage of China and would like to develop relations with India independently.'

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob interviews Amb. Rajiv Bhatia (Rtd. Indian Diplomat & Distinguished Fellow, The Gateway House) about India's approach towards Myanmar since the military coup a year ago. He argues that the stability and security of Myanmar are of crucial importance for the stability and security of India's Northeast. Amb. Bhatia identifies the key elements of India's Myanmar policy, including the preference for a political settlement and a return to democracy. The major challenges before India such as the influx of refugees fleeing Myanmar and preventing the use of Myanmar's soil by insurgent groups active in India's Northeastern states.

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob hosts a live discussion on the 50th anniversary of the Bangladesh Liberation War of 1971 with an eminent panel that includes Amb. Chandrashekhar Dasgupta (Former Indian Diplomat & Author of ‘India and the Bangladesh Liberation War'), Amb. Ahmad Tariq Karim (Bangladesh's Former High Commissioner to India), and Lt. Gen. (Rtd.) Vijay Oberoi (India's Former Vice Chief of Army Staff). The discussion revisits the political, military, diplomatic, and humanitarian aspects of the events of 1971.

In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Mr Nandan Unnikrishnan (Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi) about the recently concluded India-Russia annual summit, the inaugural 2+2 dialogue between their foreign and defence ministers, and the state of India-Russia bilateral relations generally.

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob discusses the legacy of the 9/11 attacks on its twentieth anniversary with Prof. C. Raja Mohan (Director, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore), Tamanna Salikuddin (Director of South Asia Programs at the United States Institute of Peace), and Max Rodenbeck (South Asia Bureau Chief, The Economist). They discuss the implications of the attacks and the war on terror on the global balance of power and regional geopolitics. The discussion looks into the implications of US withdrawal from Afghanistan, the return of the Taliban and increasing Chinese influence in the region. The future of the US-led liberal international order after two decades of 9/11 and wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is debated, and what it means for human rights, humanitarian intervention and the responsibility to protect is discussed.

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks to Mr A.S. Dulat (former special director of the IB, and former Chief of the R&AW) and Lt. Gen. Asad Durrani (former Director-general of the Inter-Services Intelligence, Pakistan, and former Director-General of Pakistan Army's Military Intelligence) to discuss the unfolding events in Afghanistan. In quick succession, the Taliban forces have taken over most of the major provincial capitals and are now entering Kabul from all sides according to the Afghan interior ministry. According to a Taliban leader in Doha, the fighters will wait away from the main district centres till a peaceful handover is complete. They have also been ordered to refrain from violence and offer safe passage to those wishing to leave Kabul. As the last bastion of the Afghan government falls, what will be the fate of Afghanistan and its people, and the consequences of the Taliban rule for the region?

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks to Mr A.S. Dulat (former special director of the IB, and former Chief of the R&AW) and Lt. Gen. Asad Durrani (former Director-general of the Inter-Services Intelligence, Pakistan, and former Director-General of Pakistan Army's Military Intelligence) to discuss the unfolding events in Afghanistan. In quick succession, the Taliban forces have taken over most of the major provincial capitals and are now entering Kabul from all sides according to the Afghan interior ministry. According to a Taliban leader in Doha, the fighters will wait away from the main district centres till a peaceful handover is complete. They have also been ordered to refrain from violence and offer safe passage to those wishing to leave Kabul. As the last bastion of the Afghan government falls, what will be the fate of Afghanistan and its people, and the consequences of the Taliban rule for the region?

In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Prof. Rajesh Rajagopalan (Professor of International Politics at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi) about the role of morality in statecraft and international relations. Prof. Rajagopalan argues that while most states justify their international behaviour and foreign policy in moral terms, and perceive themselves as moral actors, their actions are driven by self-interest. Moral causes and behaviours are pursued to the extent that they do not conflict with interests and come without high costs. He sees no moral restraint in states' dealing with reprehensible and immoral actors if it serves their interests, keeping in mind long-term costs and benefits. Prof. Rajagopalan separates international behaviour of states which is interest-driven and their domestic policies which are constitutionally bound but he also agrees that immoral international behaviour may seep into domestic politics and is, therefore, a danger to guard against.

In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob discusses the looming crisis in Afghanistan post-US withdrawal with Tamanna Salikuddin (Director of South Asia Programs at the United States Institute of Peace). Ms Salikuddin provides a succinct assessment of the 20-year-long US war on terror in Afghanistan, its consequences and unfolding implications. She highlights the US successes in counterterrorism while acknowledging failures vis-à-vis the larger goal of nation-building. Her prognosis of the Afghan scenario post-US withdrawal is grim. On Taliban's evolution over the past two decades, she maintains that they are not a monolith, and finds them militarily stronger, economically more resilient, and diplomatically deft but no less puritanical or regressive in their social outlook. She argues that a political settlement that includes the Taliban and other actors presents the best case scenario for Afghanistan, failing which the country could descend into chaos.

In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Zahid Hussain (Senior Pakistani Journalist and Author) about the future of Afghanistan in the aftermath of US military withdrawal. Mr Hussain provides a succinct view of hostilities already underway in different parts of Afghanistan. He also provides a measure of different possibilities ranging from a full-blown civil war to a political settlement. He is sceptical about a sweeping Taliban takeover of Afghanistan as it happened in the mid-1990s. The overall ability of the Afghan government to survive and fight back would depend on continued support from the United States, he argues. Mr Hussain also provides a nuanced picture of the Taliban today, as against its earlier more puritanical avatar. He unpacks Pakistan's Afghan predicament in detail and provides an assessment of US-Pakistan relations going forward. As far as India's Afghan policy is concerned, he sees no harm in India talking to the Taliban.

PM Narendra Modi-J&K leaders meeting today Live News Updates: This was a crucial meet, first since the stripping of the special status of J&K and its bifurcation into two Union Territories in 2019, towards the return of elected representatives and the holding of Assembly elections. Dr. Happymon Jacob conversation with The Wire's Founding Editor Siddharth Varadarajan and Lt Gen (Retd) DS Hooda.

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with Dr. Brett Edwards (Senior Lecturer, University of Bath) about synthetic biology as a field of emerging techno-scientific concern. The conversation engages with ongoing debates about the possible laboratory origin of the sars-Cov-2 virus as well as larger concerns about biosafety and safeguards to prevent future leaks and outbreaks. The discussion delves into ethical and regulatory concerns in the context of advances in synthetic biology. It provides an appraisal of the existing frameworks of BTWC & CWC to effectively deal with cutting-edge technologies and innovations and highlights gaps in their governance and regulation. Proliferation concerns from the weaponization of biological research and bioterrorism are also addressed. The need for a more comprehensive concept of national security that moves beyond traditional state-centric approaches and incorporates non-traditional security challenges is stressed.

In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob discusses the geopolitics around the fifth-generation wireless technology with Amb. Ritva Koukku Ronde (Finland's Ambassador to India). The discussion focuses on the issue of 5G collaboration between the two countries given that Nokia is one of the leading component manufacturers of 5G technology in the world. National security concerns regarding Chinese Huawei and the US-led opposition to Chinese dominance in 5G is also discussed. Amb Koukku-Ronde emphasizes the need for free competition along with the need to bolster rule-based international order in trade and tariffs. Issues of sustainability and ecological responsibility are stressed. She also makes a case for greater ties between India and Finland.

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob interviews Amb. Talmiz Ahmad (Rtd. Indian Diplomat & Author) and Amb. Navtej Sarna (Rtd. Indian Diplomat & India's Former Ambassador to Israel & the US) about the conflict between Israel and Palestinians. In a thorough discussion, the ambassadors outline the contours of the current conflict, its immediate antecedents and causes, as well as possible implications for peace and stability in the region. Amb. Talmiz Ahmad addresses the impasse in Israeli domestic politics and the implications of the recent events for PM Benjamin Netanyahu's political fortunes. Amb. Sarna discusses the international reaction to the conflict and explains President Biden's approach towards the conflict. He also discusses the nuances of India's response to the crisis in the open discussion at the UNSC and highlights the minute shifts in India's policy towards peace in the region. In addition, Hamas as a political entity is discussed along with the intricacies of Palestinian politics. Both offer meaningful insights into the peace process going forward, discussing the feasibility of a two-state solution and much more.

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks to Amish Mulmi (Author, All Roads Lead North: Nepal's Turn to China). They discuss the warming of Sino-Nepal relations against the backdrop of India's neighbourhood strategy. The Author argues that New Delhi's view of South Asia is limited to a security perspective alone and that it is important to consider the trans-Himalayan links from historical and cultural perspectives to better understand the neighbourhood. The conversation briefly analyses the history of Sino-Nepal relations and delivers critical insights regarding India's informal blockades against Nepal in 1961 and 2015. The discussion probes China's debt-trap diplomacy and analyses the intersection of Indian and Chinese interests in Nepal. The conversation also answers key questions as to how Nepal's elite view the country's “Special Relationship with India” and whether China uses Buddhism as a geopolitical tool.

In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob interviews Amb. Shivshankar Menon (National Security Advisor to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh) on his new book – India and Asian Geopolitics. The book offers a sweeping survey of India's strategic history as part of the larger Asian geopolitical narrative. He provides an intellectually stimulating account of India's strategic situation and its sense of place in the world from Independence in 1947 to the present. He discusses the intellectual undercurrents of India's grand strategy in different periods – from Nehruvian Non-Alignment to Indira Gandhi's Realpolitik and Narasimha Rao's Continuity and Change. Menonunpacks India's present geopolitical predicament offers meaningful insights on China's rise and its consequences for the international order. In the end, he highlights the need for India to have a grand strategic vision of its place in the world and to pursue its interests of domestic transformation through greater connection with the wider world.

Dr. Happymon Jacob interviews Dr. Mumin Chen (Deputy Representative, Tapei Economic and Cultural Centre in India) on Taiwan's international predicament in the light of increasing Chinese aggression. He highlights the nature of the Chinese threat to Taiwan's national existence and argues that Taiwan's economic and military strength coupled with an informal US security umbrella will ensure Taiwan's national security. Exploring the state of India-Taiwan relations, Dr Chen unpacks Taiwan's New South Bound Policy and discusses avenues for broader cooperation between the two countries in the sphere of economy, technology and security partnership.

Dr. Happymon Jacob interviews Dr. Aruna Sharma (Former Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India) on the state of India's cybersecurity infrastructure. She unpacks the challenge of state-sponsored cyberattacks and argues for an umbrella body for centralised response. The issues of cyber policymaking and standardised controls for software and electronic hardware are highlighted. Dr. Sharma also weighs in on the debate regarding indigenization and data privacy concerns.

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob discusses the military coup in Myanmar with Dr. Avinash Paliwal (Deputy Director, SOAS South Asia Institute, London). Dr. Paliwal unpacks the undercurrents of domestic politics in Myanmar and the tensions in Civil-Military relations in order to explain the triggers for the military takeover. He identifies India's stakes in Myanmar within the larger ambit of India-China strategic rivalry. Dr Paliwal also analyses the trajectory of politics in Myanmar and the future of Aung San Suu-Kyi.

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob discusses the recently published Chatham House report entitled ‘Global Britain, global broker' with Dr. Kate Sullivan de Estrada (Director of South Asian Studies and Associate Professor, University of Oxford). Prof. Sullivan de Estrada examines the myth of sovereign inequality and the inherent western liberal bias in the contemporary international order. She explains why the report views India as one of the four difficult countries along with Russia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia. She also discusses UK-India relations in general, Britain's attitude towards China, and its larger grand strategic concerns in a post-Brexit world.

Dr. Happymon Jacob interviews Ananth Krishnan on his recent book – & India's China Challenge: A Journey Through China's Rise and What It Means For India& Mr. Krishnan talks about the nature of Chinese domestic politics and the CCP under the leadership of Xi Jinping. He highlights China's miraculous economic growth and the reasons behind it. Mr. Krishnan offers the viewers a well-informed view of China& grand strategic ambitions and highlights its implications for India.

In this episode of the NSC, Dr Happymon Jacob discusses ‘Nuclear Dangers in Southern Asia' with Dr George Perkovich (vice president, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, and author of India's Nuclear Bomb). The discussion focuses on how the growing rivalry between India and China could potentially complicate nuclear stability in Southern Asia. The conversation brings out the conceptual and practical aspects of nuclear deterrence in the region. Answering a question whether the growing Chinese cyber capabilities could trigger a change in India's nuclear policy and posture, Dr Perkovich argues that it might not make any sense for India to abandon its ‘No First use' policy or adopt a ‘Launch on Warning' posture to respond to growing Chinese capabilities.

In this episode of the NSC, Dr. Happymon Jacob (Founder, csdronline.org) discusses India's South Asia policy in context of the rise of China with Amb. Gautam Bambawale (former Ambassador to China and High Commissioner to Pakistan). The discussion highlights the fierce competition underway between India and China for influence in South Asia and how New Delhi should up its game to remain relevant in the region. Amb. Bambawale argued that India should build on the cultural and historical connect with the region something China doesn't share with South Asia. The discussion also focuses on issues relating to the two front situation faced by India and India's 5G options.

In this episode of the NSC, Dr. Happymon Jacob discusses India's place in the world with Dr Ashley J. Tellis (Senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, Washington DC). The discussion focuses on how India-US relations will fare under a Joe Biden administration, and what the two sides could do to address the growing China Challenge in the Asian region. The discussion also provides important insights on the potential geopolitical changes in Southern Asia in the years ahead and what that might mean for New Delhi.

In this special episode for The Wire, Dr. Happymon Jacob is joined by former Foreign Secretary of India Nirupama Menon Rao and Max Rodenbeck, South Asia Bureau Chief for The Economist magazine, to discuss the future of India-US relations under a US Administration led by Joe Biden. The panel discusses the current state of India-US relations and assesses whether a democratic administration in Washington DC would change the character and course of the robust India-US strategic partnership. The panel examines the sources of the bipartisan support for India in the US, how the China challenge has brought the two sides closer than ever, and the potential geopolitical changes under the Biden administration in the US and their impact on India.

Dr. Happymon Jacob discusses the 2020 Asia Power Index with Herve Lemahieu (Director, Asia Power & Diplomacy Programme, Lowy Institute, Sydney & Lead, Annual Asia Power Index). This episode unpacks the 2020 Index & offers insights into the measures & indicators used in the study. The conversation analyses how the pandemic has unsettled the balance of power in Asia. The episode also focuses on India's performance in the Index and how it will need a multi-decade effort to regain the lost ground due to Covid-19.

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks to Amb. Vivek Katju (Former Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan) & Tilak Devasher (Former Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India) against the fresh backdrop of the shocking allegations that Pakistan has made against India. The discussion probes whether this is a tactic by the Pakistan Government to divert attention away from its own domestic failures. The conversation also analyses the impact of Islamabad's unbridled accusations against New Delhi on the bilateral relationship of the two rival countries going forward.

Dr Happymon Jacob speaks to Amb. Gautam Mukhopadhaya, (Former Ambassador to Myanmar 2013-2016) on the strategic importance of India-Myanmar relations. The discussion explores the rationale behind the new momentum in India-Myanmar relations and the historical background to the current state of bilateral relations. The conversation brings forth interesting insights regarding India's strategic Port-building projects in Myanmar which would play a crucial role in India's land & maritime connectivity to the ASEAN region. Ambassador Mukhopadhaya explains how Myanmar is a ‘launching pad' for India's maritime grand strategy. The conversation concludes with the Ambassador reasoning how India can afford “a more sympathetic policy towards persecuted refugees”, even while abiding by national interests.

Dr Happymon Jacob is in conversation with Dr Pallavi Raghavan (Assistant Professor at Ashoka University). They discuss the unique arguments she makes in her new book entitled ‘Animosity at Bay: An Alternative History of the India-Pakistan Relationship'. The conversation focuses on how the newly-created India and Pakistan, despite a great deal of animosity, decided to cooperate with each other. The discussion evaluates whether it was the common cultural & institutional affinity that prompted cooperation between the two adversaries in the 1950s or whether it was due to their 'shared faith in the creation of Westphalian states.' The discussion also revolves around the significance of the Nehru-Liaquat pact, its provisions for flexible sovereignty & the remarkable collaboration to reassure minorities on both sides.

In this special episode for The Wire, Dr Happymon Jacob is joined by an eminent panel consisting of Dr Anne-Marie Brady (University Of Canterbury, New Zealand), Dr David Capie (Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand) &; Dr Euan Graham (IISS-Asia, Singapore). The panellists in this conversation discuss how Australia & New Zealand views the growing Chinese challenge in the Indo-pacific & the South China Sea. The conversation also revolves around Oceania & interests in the QUAD given the growing belligerence of China in the region. The discussion also probes whether the security decisions taken by Canberra and Wellington are handicapped by the strong economic ties both countries share with China and provides insights into India's role in their strategies to tackle the ‘China Challenge'.

In this episode, Dr.Happymon Jacob and Amb. Walter J. Lindner (German Ambassador to India) discuss the implications of the German Government's new policy guidelines for the Indo-Pacific region. Starting with the curious timing of the announcement of the strategy in the midst of the Indo-China standoff at the LAC, they discuss the opportunities & challenges in the Indo-pacific region before shedding light on how Germany seeks “to promote the ‘enforcement' of rule-based order in the region”. While acknowledging that the strategy is a ‘break from the past' the Ambassador asserts that the new policy guidelines are not designed to take sides, but intended to support and initiate multilateralism.

In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob discusses the colonial origins and the post-colonial evolution of the Sedition law with Anushka Singh (Author, Sedition in Liberal Democracies & Assistant Professor, Ambedkar University of Delhi). 150 Years since the imposition of Sedition Law in colonial India, the discussion probes whether these Laws are used to stifle free speech and political opposition in contemporary India. The discussion brings out the contrast between the popular conceptions of ‘sedition' in the country and the higher Judiciary's views on the same. The discussion also explores how the Sedition Law eventually made it to the Constitution despite most Constituent Assembly members viewing it as a repressive Colonial Law. The author argues that while the conviction rate is negligible when it comes to those charged under the controversial law, the process itself is the punishment. NOTE: The Kerala case referred to in the interview where the Director General of Police had issued guidelines for registering FIRs under section 124A in 2016 was in the wake of a sedition case filed against writer Kamal Chavara and not Thirumurgan Gandhi. Gandhi was also charged for sedition in Tamil Nadu, not Kerala.

Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks to Amb. Shyam Saran (Former Foreign Secretary & Chairman of the National Security Advisory Board) on contemporary Indian Foreign policymaking. They discuss the various options available to New Delhi in addressing the twin challenge of responding to a restive neighbourhood and managing an aggressive China while at the same time adjusting to a changing global order. The discussion unpacks India's attitude towards “Alignments & Alliances” amidst the ongoing US-China confrontation and examines the concept of ‘Strategic Autonomy'. The conversation also examines whether economic decoupling with China is feasible and probes whether the standoff with China has pushed India closer to the USA.

In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob speaks to Haseeb Drabu (Former Finance Minister of Jammu & Kashmir) about the economic impacts of abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. The conversation discusses whether J& K's dependency on subsidy from the central govt will end after a change in its special status and compares economic growth of J& K before and after the August 5 decision. The discussion also probes whether or not development and economic growth are possible at all in Kashmir without sustained efforts at conflict resolution.

In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob speaks to Altaf Bukhari (Founding President, of Jammu & Kashmir's Apni party) about the political situation in the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Mr Bukhari, a former minister in the J&K cabinet, explains what prompted him and his colleagues to come together and create the Apni Party. He also discusses the core agenda and vision of his party that responds to a new political context in Jammu & Kashmir. The discussion also brings to light the general sentiment on the ground and the resulting political trends in the union territory, a year after losing its statehood. Note: At 01.18 Dr. Jacob says that the PDP-BJP coalition was in power in J&K till August 2019. Correction: It was in power only until June 2019.

In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob is joined by an eminent panel consisting of Amb. Nirupama Rao (Former Foreign Secretary), Lt. Gen DS Hooda (Former Northern Army Commander), Suhasini Haidar (Diplomatic Editor, The Hindu), Max Rodenbeck (South Asia Bureau Chief, The Economist) & Rajeshwari Rajagopalan (Distinguished Fellow, ORF). The panellists in this conversation discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and its far-reaching implications on the stability of the South Asian region. The conversation touches upon COVID-19's effect on pre-existing inter & intraregional conflicts in South Asia including on terrorism and insurgency and impact on the flow of regional migrants and refugees. The conversation also points out the ways in which states in South Asia can cooperate in order to minimise these impacts and chart out a path of recovery.

In this episode, Dr Happymon Jacob discusses PM Modi's statement during the all-party meeting on China with Mr Prem Shankar Jha (Managing Editor, Financial World; Former Information Advisor to V.P.Singh). The conversation attempts to unpack the reason behind PM Modi's statement which became controversial amongst the Indian strategic community. Mr Jha interprets the statement as a signalling strategy that the Indian PM used to signal to China. He argues that the PM was factually correct in stating that the Chinese have not entered India territory as the Chinese have only forced their claims on disputed areas. Therefore the PM's statement is a call for de-escalation. Mr Jha argues that media coverage of this statement undermines this strategy by misinterpreting the PM's words. Mr Jha also discusses the reasons behind the present Chinese aggression at the border and the future of Sino-Indian relations.

Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Mr Kanak Mani Dixit (Publisher of Himal Khabarpatrika & editor of Himal Southasian) and Amb. Rakesh Sood (Retd.) (Former Ambassador to Nepal), about the recent tensions in India- Nepal relations. The two guests discuss the triggers of these tensions and trace the primary cause to multiple maps released by the British government in India. The conversation presents views from both India and Nepal as to how the differing perceptions presented by these maps should be interpreted in the present time. The conversation also discusses the impact of Nepalese domestic politics, China's growing closeness to Nepal and India's 2015 blockade on India-Nepal relations. Towards the end, the two guests recommend steps that need to be taken by both governments to restore relations and restart border resolution mechanisms.

In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with Lt. Gen. Deependra Singh Hooda, former General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian army's Northern Command, on the India-China standoff on the Line of Actual Control (LAC). They discuss the current state of the standoff, the larger Chinese rationale behind these unprecedented attacks, and the strategic importance of the region where the standoff is taking place. The discussion also covers the potential military options India has to respond to China and offers an assessment of the balance of forces between the two sides.

Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Lt. Gen. H. S. Panag (Retd.) (Former GOC in C Northern Command and Central Commands, Indian Army. Former Member of Armed Forces Tribunal) on the ongoing India China military standoff on the Line of Actual Control. They discuss how the latest standoff is unprecedented and more worrying than the previous border skirmishes. Lt. Gen. Panag argues that the Chinese have chosen to alter the status quo at selected locations and are using a ‘Differing Perceptions' paradigm to justify their actions. Therefore, India must challenge this narrative and call out China's expansionist policies to set the narrative straight. Lt. Gen. Panag also argues that if India does not push back at this stage, China will only increase such behaviour in the future. The conversation ends with Gen. Panag's thoughts on how New Delhi can counter these incursions.

Dr Happymon Jacob in conversation with Amb. Nirupama Menon Rao (Former Foreign Secretary, Former Ambassador to China), Col. Ajai Shukla (Senior Defense Journalist) and Lt. Gen. Vinod Bhatia (Former DGMO, Indian Army) to understand the recent spate of incursions carried out by the PLA along the Line of Actual Control. The discussion focuses on the reasons why the latest incursions are different from what is usually seen and seek to understand why the Chinese leadership would choose to behave aggressively during a global pandemic. Discussants also shed light on the options India has in the short and long term in order to diffuse the current situation and to create mechanisms that may prevent a repeat of such incidents in the future.

Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Jeff M. Smith (Research Fellow, South Asia, in The Heritage Foundation's Asian Studies Center, and author of “Cold Peace: China-India Rivalry in the Twenty-First Century”) about President Donald Trump's ongoing visit to India (Feb 2020) and the issues on the agenda for this visit. Mr. Smith discusses the dynamics of trade relations between the two countries in light of the suspension of India's GSP status. How does the revocation of privileges accruing from India's status as developing nation get affected by USTR's clarification of India as a developed nation before President Trump's visit? Mr. Smith cautions against India's excessive partisanship towards the Trump presidency and endorses a broader political outreach. He also discusses the convergence of India-US interests over China and the larger Indo-Pacific strategy and ends with remarks on India's possible role in US's policy on Afghanistan.