IDEAS FACTORY: Recent Episodes
Naghma Sahar, Harsh Pant
The Ideas Factory is an exclusive series by ORF that delves into the big geo-political events that affects India and the world. In conversation with Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Professor Harsh Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF
Tune into our latest episode of The Ideas Factory podcast with Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, as they analyse the year that was with Russia-Ukraine war; Xi Jinping in China; US-China contestation; Indian foreign policy choices; and Delhi’s G20 moment.
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Tune into our latest episode of The Ideas Factory podcast with Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, as they analyse the protests in China; contestation in the Indian Ocean; Indo-US military exercises; Russia-US jostling; India’s counter terror outreach; and India’s G20 moment.
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Tune into our latest episode of The Ideas Factory podcast with Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, as they analyse Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan's attack on the Pakistan Army; Britain's new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak; the US mid-term elections; and Lula da Silva as new the President of Brazil.
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Tune into our latest episode of the Ideas Factory podcast with Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, as they analyse Jaishankar’s interventions at the UNGA; the LAC Conundrum; India, China and the AUKUS; and a dangerous escalation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
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Tune into our latest episode of the Ideas Factory podcast with Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, as they analyse Prime Minister Narendra Modi's message to the Russian President Vladimir Putin at the SCO; Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in India; Dr. S. Jaishankar, Foreign Minister of India, at the UNGA; and the passing away of Queen Elizabeth.
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Participating in Vostok-22 military games on one hand and hosting a crucial Quad official meeting on the other, India continues to maintain its balancing act in international politics. How will juggling this diplomatic dilemma that has risen after the Ukraine crisis fare in the long run? Although India has restricted its involvement in certain aspects of military activities in Vostok, how will the other engagements in the East affect its global perception?
With Washington approving a sale of about 1.1 billion dollars of weapons to Taiwan amidst heightened U.S-China tension, will the Indo-Pacific be able to maintain its security, stability and balance in the coming decades?
The commissioning of INS Vikrant has been a significant moment in India's indigenous defence expedition. But is it time for India to pick pace with reviewing its Marine Doctrine, especially with new disruptive military technologies emerging in China?
As the former President of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev passes away, our experts analyze the complex legacy he left behind that led the transition of the Soviet Union to modern-day Russia under him.
Tune into this latest episode of the Ideas Factory podcast on PolicyPod with Nagma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF and Harsh Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF for a deep dive into evolving relations between powerful actors that affect international politics today.
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Afghanistan has seen a year under the Taliban, and yet this regime is still struggling to find its legitimacy and engagement with the world. What remains the ground reality for ordinary Afghans? How can regional powers engage with Afghanistan to restore peace and address the impending ongoing humanitarian crisis in the region?
China’s sudden presence at the Sri Lankan port of Hambantota, sends out a strong signal that it still holds significant leverage over the crisis island nation and the Indian Ocean. Should India be alarmed over Beijing’s growing influence as relations fray between the two countries, particularly with India appealing restraint and voicing support for Taiwan, what moves are anticipated from both parties?
What does Foreign Minister S Jaishankar’s visit to Latin America mean for trade relations with the continent? How can India strengthen its bilateral ties in South America through potential collaboration?
Tune into this latest episode of Ideas Factory podcast on PolicyPod with Nagma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF and Harsh Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF as they divulges into India’s foreign affairs strategy with its neighbours, new partnerships in South America and China’s footprint in Asia-Pacific.
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China #US #Taiwan #Afghanistan #taliban #SriLanka #SriLankaEconomy #internationalsecurity #IndoPacific #Indo-China #Beijing #SouthAmerica #trade #ORF #PolicyPod #HarshPant #NaghmaSahar
US House of Representative Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s recent visit to Taiwan has left China furious and stunned many countries into silence. This visit continues to polarize global politics amidst the escalating war between Russia and Ukraine. Is peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific under threat after China’s aggressive response against Taiwan?
What does the killing of Al-Qaeda's leader- Al-Zawahiri in Kabul mean for the US-Afghan relations? Is Washington moving towards reinstating its lost credibility in the international community?
In times where India’s neighbors are experiencing economic instability, how will the Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih’s visit strengthen strategic partnerships? Will the domestic political challenges in Maldives affect India’s counterbalance strategy against China in South Asia?
Tune into this latest episode of Ideas Factory podcast on PolicyPod with Nagma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF and Harsh Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF for a deep-dive into evolving relations between powerful actors that affect international politics today.
China #US #Taiwan #RussiaUkraineWar #Afghanistan #NancyPelosi #AlQaeda #MaldivesPresident #IndoPacific #ORF #PolicyPod #HarshPant #NaghmaSahar
Sri Lanka's economic crisis crosses over 100 days as President Gotabaya Rajapaksa resigns and flees amid mass public protests. The trust deficit between the political class and the Sri Lankan populace continues to exacerbate the current socioeconomic breakdown, raising fear among all neighbouring countries.
The assassination of Japan’s Prime Minister has revived conversations on Japan’s foreign policy outreach and his close ties with Prime Minister Modi. A longstanding ally for India, Shinzo Abe’s legacy is worth looking into to understand the ensuing narrative of South Asian politics and India’s role in this discourse.
With the US House of Representatives sanctioning a waiver for India-specific CAATSA Act, how will this bilateral relationship affect the geopolitical shift in the Indo-Pacific, especially with China's rise to power?
As Rishi Sunak, the former UK Finance Minister widens his lead in the ongoing PM campaign race, will the much-awaited British elections reform the past mismanagement of Boris Johnson?
What partnership is expected to emerge with the advent of the New Quad in West Asia and how will it change current geo-strategies in the Indian Ocean?
Tune into this latest episode of Ideas Factory podcast on PolicyPod with Nagma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF and Harsh Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF for the entire analysis
In a critical moment for the G7 given the current geopolitical challenges, when the world is intensely polarised, German chancellor Olaf Scholz’s invitation to PM Modi at this year’s summit in Germany demonstrated India’s recognition of being a leading provider of global solutions and a decisive player in global conversations.
However, India’s position on the Ukraine crisis, which do not align with the G7 has not downplayed the global narrative of India’s importance at this summit. But can India strike a real balance in its engagement with both the West and the Kremlin while ensuring its multi-polarity stance and strategic autonomy?
India’s growing presence in the Indo-Pacific, and continuous engagement in the G7, as a regular invitee can it be seen as an entry to the G10 club?
The Russia-Ukraine war was the focal agenda on this year’s BRICS. How did India-China contention play out?
India and the ASEAN, Rajnath Singh In Vietnam, Taiwan as a flashpoint and more.
Tune into this latest episode of Ideas Factory podcast on PolicyPod with Nagma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF and Harsh Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF for the entire analysis.
The Modi government’s 8 years of foreign policy have exhibited a more robust, ambitious and effective engagement as compared to its neighbouring countries. How does this government’s foreign policy project India on the global stage at a time when the world is grappling with the Ukraine crisis and a pandemic? Is India already seen as a significant and more credible player in leading a new geopolitical order?
President Joe Biden’s in-person visit to the Indo-Pacific aiming for a stronger alliance at the QUAD summit cannot underscore China-Russia’s close cord. Can this Sino-Russia tie have an impact on the power balance and re-shaping of the strategic partnership in the region which remains one of the most important geographies for American foreign policy?
As the Taliban is trying to seek greater recognition globally as a new government, India’s continuous engagement in the region has effectively leveraged its role as a "development partner" but can India rely on the Taliban for any substantive engagement?
Tune into this latest episode of Ideas Factory podcast on PolicyPod with Nagma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF and Harsh Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF for the entire discussion.
India is committed to helping Sri Lanka during its worst times of economic and political distress. India is playing a crucial role in assisting the island state from destabilising and reviving its economy.
The new leadership in Pakistan has a very tough challenge ahead. We see a rising anti-China sentiment in Balochistan, which has been at the heart of CPEC.
As we look towards the east, our north-east has to be the bridge that connects India to South East Asia. In light of this, Sheikh Hasina's offer is in line with the sentiment.
Biden's visit has given a message that Washington's focus is not entirely on Ukraine and Europe, it does not intend to leave the Indo-Pacific alone.
In the latest episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, analyse Challenges in India’s Neighbourhood; Modi in Lumbini; Sheikh Hasina’s Offer and Biden in Asia.
In this episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, analyse -
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Europe; with the centre of power strategically shifting to the Indo-Pacific; India and the European Union are trying to work out a new arrangement, to accommodate the new geopolitical reality.
China's rising presence in the Indo-Pacific and the South China Sea with Russia challenging Europe on its very doorsteps, it becomes extremely crucial for the European Union to declare its ambitions much more openly.
Engagement of India with Germany has been evolving, with the focus on green and sustainable partnerships, and the professional mobility agreement.
The big crisis going on in neighbouring Sri Lanka is a big cause of worry for India. We are seeing a cascading effect, with countries like Nepal, and Pakistan facing enormous political and economic challenges.
Is this a moment of reckoning for the west, Europe in particular? That Europe is not at the heart of global geo-strategy today. The Russian invasion, and Ukrainian pushback, have contributed to a new kind of geopolitical complexity. The spillover effect is already being experienced on a global level, especially by the neighbouring European countries.
Unlike the West, India has made it very clear that it does not see itself either marginalising, isolating, or sanctioning Russia. India has also had to maintain a tough balancing act, as it faced a lot of pressure from QUAD members.
Dramatic developments in Pakistan and Sri Lanka have taken place. The vulnerability of Pakistani democratic institutions poses challenges for India in managing its relationship with Pakistan.
The consequences of harsh economic sanctions against Russia are already being felt across the globe. This conflict exemplifies that the global financial architecture is still being controlled by the West.
The role of China continues to be a crucial one. The debate over the Indo-Pacific and Taiwan will only get enhanced going further.
Mission Ganga, seems to have been a well crafted diplomatic manoeuvre by India. As the world becomes more and more globalised, the commitment comes with significant costs.
In the latest episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, analyses the Unfolding Ukraine Horror Show; China’s Balancing Act; Abe on Taiwan; and India’s Operation Ganga.
In the light of the Russian invasion, the diplomatic efforts and international rallying, seem to yield no substantial result. With the kind of exodus that Ukrainians are facing, they would want some more concrete efforts on the part of America. The US and Europeans coming together and isolating Russia leaves concern for Beijing. China is increasingly trying to maintain a balance between the West and Russia, keeping in mind the impact it has on the global economy today.
Can India keep on walking a tight rope in geopolitics or does it need to take sides as it aspires to become a global power?
In the latest episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, deep-dive these current affairs.
In the latest episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, analyses India-UAE Trade Pact; The Quad Meets; Jaishankar in Australia and the Philippines.
The India-UAE Trade Pact signals how India is trying to forge economic partnerships and trust in the middle-east.
With the QUAD Summit in Melbourne, it was very evident that the four countries were coming together and not shying away from publicly acknowledging the grouping as a democratic answer to a more autocratic China.
We are looking at a very rapidly evolving situation in Southeast Asia. Indonesia and Philippines, both of them continue to expand their ties with other like-minded countries, including India.
In the latest episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and
Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF,
analyse Germany freelancing on the Russia-Ukraine issue and Macron in a way
legitimise Putin’s security concerns; Russia-China Axis; India’s diplomatic boycott of the
winter Olympics in China, and President Xi Jinping politicising on the Galwan issue.
In the latest episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, analyses India's position, as it has abstained from voting over the Ukraine issue at the UNSC.
What is UAE, Saudi and Iran's role in the Yemen war?
And New Delhi’s Push for Defence Exports.
In the latest episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, analyse Geopolitical Jostling In Europe; the Taliban in Oslo; and Pakistan’s ‘New’ National Security Policy.
In the latest episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, analyse the crisis in Ukraine; Divisions Within the West; Xi Jinping at Davos; China Consolidates Its Presence Along the LAC
In the latest episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, analyses The US-Russia Tango over Ukraine; Sri Lanka Balances China and India; and New Delhi’s Tightrope on Myanmar.
Looking Back, Looking Ahead: Key Geopolitical Trends that Shaped 2021 and are Likely to Shape 2022.
In the latest episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, analyses the Key Geopolitical Trends that Shaped 2021 and are Likely to Shape 2022 - The US-China Contestation; The Indo-Pacific Churn; Afghanistan in the Age of Taliban 2.0; and India’s Choices.
Let’s revisit this Ideas Factory Episode “US-China Tech Cold War and India-US Relations”, with Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF. They look at the growing alienation of Chinese tech in the months prior to the US presidential election. The increasing power rivalry between these superpowers has reached a level where the Chinese consulate in Houston was closed down on cries of espionage. In response the US consulate in Chengdu, China was also shut down. The tech pushback by other European countries brought to the forefront the security challenges that would accompany adopting Huawei’s 5G. As US moves away from China, naturally, it outlines an India-centric approach to the Indo-Pacific region, as it recognizes that this rivalry with China is going to be long drawn. Countries realize that a counter to Chinese aggression in the region would be incomplete without India. They also discuss in detail the LAC, and the Chinese disinterest to disengage in the region. As Harsh Pant bluntly puts forth, it seems China isn’t willing to accommodate Indian interests as no actions have been taken on the border. Chinese bellicosity with both US and India raises the possibility of a closer relationship between the latter two.
In the latest episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF discuss Wendy Sherman in India; the US-China Tango Over Taiwan and the EU- Poland Tussle
In this episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, talk about China targeting Taiwan, Biden's Domestic Challenges, Duterte says goodbye, for now, and India's Red-Lines on Afghanistan.
In this episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, talk about China targeting Taiwan, Biden's Domestic Challenges, Duterte says goodbye, for now, and India's Red-Lines on Afghanistan
In the latest episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, analyse Modi in the US: Engaging Biden-Harris; Historic Quad Summit; and Addressing the UNGA.
The UK’s new foreign and security policy ‘tilt’ towards the Indo-Pacific remains firmly anchored within the Euro-Atlantic region, with the US as its “most important strategic ally” and Russia as its most “acute threat”.
In March, America’s Secretary of Defense, General Lloyd Austin III, arrived in New Delhi for a 3-day visit to discuss “deepening the US-India Major Defence Partnership” and to advance cooperation “for a free, prosperous and open Indo-Pacific and Western Indian Ocean Region.”
In the latest episode of “The Ideas Factory”, Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, analyse Austin in India, the US-China Meltdown, and the UK Indo-Pacific ‘Tilt’.
Most geostrategic decisions in India’s neighbourhood centre around China. As China keeps picking fights with different countries, will it face pushback from the international community? What is the status of the disengagement process at Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh? Is China’s increasing nuclear arsenal a cause of concern? Does India need to realign its neighbourhood policy priorities to counter the threat from China? In this episode of 'The Ideas Factory', Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, discuss all these questions and more.
Post May 15th 2020 Galwan Valley face-off between India and China,Russia tries to strike a delicate balance between the two nations, questions are being raised on the relevance of the Russia-India-China (RIC) trilateral. How should Rajnath Singh’s Moscow visit, where his Chinese counterpart was also present, be seen in light of recent tensions with China.
Can Russia, with its heavy trade dependence on China and strong diplomatic ties with India, take a clear position on the matter?
In this episode of 'The Ideas Factory', Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, discuss all these questions and more.
After the killing of 20 Indian soldiers in Galwan Valley last year in May 2020, the LAC in the Ladakh region continues to remain tense. The big question - how is India going to deal with an increasingly aggressive China? Is this a watershed moment in India-China relations? Does India need to fundamentally reset its relationship with China? In this episode of 'The Ideas Factory', Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh V. Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, discuss all these questions and more.
With increasing Chinese presence in Iran and a tussle between the US and China in the country, will India’s strategic interests be harmed? What’s the current status of India–Iran relations? As Iran uses the Chabahar project to bargain with the US, what’s the big picture that’s emerging? In this episode of 'The Ideas Factory', Naghma Sahar, Senior Fellow at ORF, and Harsh Pant, Director of Studies and Head of Strategic Studies Programme at ORF, discuss all these questions and more.