National Security Conversations with Happymon Jacob: Recent Episodes
Council for Strategic and Defense Research
It is a series that discusses critical issues relating to India's national security and foreign policy with well-known experts from India and around the world.
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.
Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Dr TV Paul (James McGill Professor of International Relations at McGill University) about the contemporary international order. Dr Paul identifies the peculiarities of the current global order, which he states is in a period of transition and flux. He assess India’s place in the world today, and critically analyses its quest for great power status. He dwells upon a multiplicity of factors – hard as well as soft power factors – that constitute a great power. He throws light on India’s trajectory in search of great power status, highlighting the areas where it faces major challenges. Dr Paul also discusses India’s soft balancing strategy vis-à-vis China and with other great powers in general.
Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with Arun Mohan Sukumar about his book, Midnight’s Machines. In his book, Mr Sukumar charts the political history of technology in India since the end of the Second World War. In this conversation he lays out India’s tryst with technology under the aegis of various prime ministers, from Jawaharlal Nehru to Indira Gandhi to Rajiv Gandhi and Narendra Modi. He also dwells upon many considerations, ranging from philosophical and moral to outright political that led leaders like Nehru and others to temper and manage how Indian people viewed technology and interacted with it.
Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with Amb. Vijay Nambiar (Retd. Indian Diplomat) about the international reaction to the amended Citizen Amendment Act (CAA) 2019. Amb. Nambiar discusses the manner in which the international community has reacted and how the Indian government has diplomatically handled these reactions in order to minimize negative implication for its foreign policy goals. Amb. Nambiar also discusses how India’s reaction to criticisms of its amendment to CAA shows a shift in its international outlook and foreign policy and how this could affect India’s image and perception in the international system.
In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with P. Chidambaram, Former Home & Finance Minister about the situation in Kashmir after the BJP government's decision to abrogate Article 370. The conversation revolves around the government’s logic behind the decision and its immediate and long term implications for India's national security. The conversation also focuses on the following specific questions: How can the government now work towards normalising the valley? Did this decision undo years of efforts by successive governments to integrate the people and the polity of Jammu and Kashmir into the rest of India? Where does Pakistan, if at all, figure in any Indian effort to bring peace and stability in Jammu and Kashmir? What mistakes were made by the previous governments in dealing with the valley and what lessons did they learn? Will the August 5 decision lead to Jammu and Kashmir becoming a bigger challenge than it was before this decision for all future governments?
Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with Gopal Krishna Pillai [India’s former Home Secretary (2009 – 2011)] about a range of issues that constitute the Naga question, or the Naga quest for greater autonomy. He provides a historical overview of the Naga issue, the unilateral declaration of independence, the Indian state’s response, the insurgency and the many efforts at peace that have been made. Mr. Pillai highlights the many factions within the Naga movement, delineating their respective positions and demands. Mr. Pillai explains what he thinks of the 2015 framework agreement and the progress that has been made since then.
Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with Prof. Anit Mukherjee (Assistant Professor in the South Asia Programme at the Nanyang Technological University and a former Major of the Indian Army) about the state of India’s civil-military relations, which forms the theme of his book titled, “The Absent Dialogue: Politicians, Bureaucrats, and the Military in India”. Prof. Mukherjee identifies the factors characterizing India’s civil-military relations, which in turn have a bearing upon the effectiveness of the Indian military. Prof. Mukherjee addresses the various parameters of military effectiveness such as weapons procurement, jointness, military education, defence planning, etc. which are seriously affected by “the Absent Dialogue” within India’s civil-military relations. He offers several recommendations to overcome these challenges.
Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks to Amb. Chandrashekhar Dasgupta (Rtd. Indian Diplomat and Author) about the international discourse on climate change, unpacking the various themes that it entails. He elaborates on the twin aspects of responding to climate change: mitigation and adaptation. Furthermore, Amb. Dasgupta discusses the international climate change regime, beginning from the Rio Convention, through the Kyoto Protocol up till the recent Paris Agreement. He also assesses the implications of the US withdrawal from the Paris agreement. Finally, he stresses the significance of climate activism and suggests ways to move forward. He provides a comprehensive analysis of India’s efforts to combat climate change, and suggests areas requiring further impetus.
Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks to Amb. Talmiz Ahmad (Retd. Indian Diplomat and Author) about the emerging geopolitical situation in West Asia. He builds on his analysis of the region in the previous episode (NSC 66: Part I) to suggest the imperative and avenues for increasing the Indian role in the region. He speaks of Eurasia and the Indian Ocean Region as one integrated security space with deep historical connectivity, and argues for greater Indian involvement in the region. He also identifies several misnomers and psychological barriers that have so far dampened India’s attitude towards the region and hindered the prospects for cooperation and security in a broader sense.
Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks to Amb. Talmiz Ahmad (Retd. Indian Diplomat and Author) about the current state of affairs in West Asia. He provides a sweeping survey of politics in West Asia in the context of great power politics. He provides a critical account of US interventionism in the region and its consequences, both intended and unintended. Amb. Ahmad traces the genealogy of various regional conflicts: Arab-Israeli (Israel-Palestine) conflict, the stand-off between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and other major crises in Syria, Yemen, Afghanistan and elsewhere. Amb. Ahmad also offers a way forward.
Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks to Amb. Ranjit Rae [Rtd. IFS, and India’s former ambassador to Hungary (with concurrent accreditation as Ambassador to Slovenia, Bosnia, and Herzegovina) (20016-10), and then ambassador to Vietnam (2010-13) & was India’s ambassador to Nepal till 2017] about India-Nepal relations, both at a bilateral level and at a regional level. Amb. Rae traces the historical evolution of India-Nepal relations. He highlights the significance of India’s relationship with Nepal, both in terms of deeper historical ties rooted in religion, culture, and tradition and from a strategic point of view. In response to an inquiry by Dr. Jacob on India’s unofficial blockade of Nepal, Amb. Rae argues that India’s policy has been to support a democratic, inclusive Nepal, and at major turning points in Nepal’s history, India has supported what the people of Nepal have wanted. He considers and debates the concern over increasing Chinese involvement in Nepal, and argues that threat to India is exaggerated, and despite legitimate areas of concern, India should seek avenues for tri-partite cooperation involving China & Nepal.
Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks to Prof. Amita Batra (Professor at Centre for South Asian Studies in School of International Studies at JNU) about India’s decision to stay out of the RCEP. She discusses the significance that RCEP’s membership would have had for India. The conversation discusses the reasons behind India’s decision of pulling out from the mega-free trade agreement and the conditions under which India may reconsider its decision in the future. Prof. Batra argues that while at present India’s decision may have been a considered one but the onus of benefiting from RCEP in the future lies with India. Reforms to this end should focus on enhancing India’s its industrial and manufacturing competitiveness, which is the bottom-line for entering into any deal. The conversation also discusses India’s overall FTA strategy in general and the strategies which would allow India to take advantage of FTAs as strategic trade instruments like other countries. Prof. Batra recommends setting up of an independent domestic institution which would work constantly to design and identify India’s advantages as far as FTAs are concerned.
Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with Professor Peter Jones (Associate Professor at Graduate School of Public and International Affairs in the University of Ottawa) about conflict and cooperation in the new world order. The conversation discusses whether responses to the resurgence of China can be categorized as the new Cold War. Prof. Jones argues that current international politics is not marked by an ideological conflict, which was the defining characteristic of the Cold War, rather, Great power rivalry is a better paradigm to understand the resurgence of China and the resulting realignments. Prof. Jones suggest that while identifying certain residual frameworks from Cold War era with regard to nuclear weapons and arms control can be used to explain current world politics, characterizing the present international political order as embroiled in a new Cold War is inaccurate.
Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks to Max Rodenbeck (South Asia Bureau Chief of the Economist) about the international reactions to the situation in Jammu & Kashmir after its autonomy under Article 370 was removed and the state was bifurcated into two union territories. Mr Rodenbeck argues that while constitutionality of the move may be debated, the fact remains that people of Jammu & Kashmir were not consulted, which is quite a blot on the Indian democracy. He further addresses the issue of the orchestrated visit of far-right members of the European Parliament to Kashmir, a move that has backfired internationally. Dr. Jacob and Mr Rodenbeck also discuss the heated diplomatic exchange between India & China over what India calls a domestic issue. On the question of the UN Human Rights body’s concern over Kashmir, Mr. Rodenbeck argues that it might not be in India’s interest, in the longer run, to undermine the legitimacy of these institutions. He also addresses the larger implications for the people in J&K, and the wider strategic fallout.
Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks to Ambassador Nirupama Rao [Foreign Secretary from 2009 to 2011, and India's Ambassador to the United States, China as well as High Commissioner to Sri Lanka] about the second informal summit between President Xi Jinping and PM Modi in Chennai. She discusses the significance of such informal summits in general and the room they provide for discussion and progress beyond the formality and protocols that often beset formal meetings and summits. She identifies and elaborates on the various issues that drive India-China relations including the border dispute, China’s nexus with Pakistan, the BRI and the CPEC, among others. Amb. Rao also comments on the fallouts of the August 5 decision to read down Article 370, the international fallout and the diplomatic way ahead for India.
Happymon Jacob speaks to Professor PR Kumawaswamy (Professor at School of International Studies in JNU and Honorary Director of Middle East Institute, New Delhi) about the evolution of India-Israel relations. He discusses the various aspects of India’s relationship with Israel in the context of India’s larger West Asia policy. He describes the various phases that mark India’s relationship with Israel from having no formal diplomatic relations to forging an increasingly significant strategic partnership. Prof. Kumaraswamy also addresses India’s evolving stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict, human rights issues, and the so-called convergence of Hindutva and Zionism.
In this episode, Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks to Lt. Gen. Satish Dua (Retd., Indian Army) and Air Vice-Marshal Arjun Subramaniam (Retd., Indian Air Force) about PM Narendra Modi’s announcement this Independence Day to create the position of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). The major role of a CDS in bringing about integration and jointmanship among the three services is also discussed along with the manner in which the position of CDS should be created. Questions of rank and hierarchy of the Chief of Defence Staff are also addressed, while simultaneously addressing the concerns of the three services respectively.
Happymon Jacob speaks to Rajeswari Rajagopalan (Distinguished Fellow & Head of the Nuclear and Space Policy Initiative, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi) about India’s space program and its evolution through the decades. She stresses upon having a robust space policy and an aerospace command. She also assesses the complexities involved in the latest Chandrayaan-2 mission. She discusses major avenues of cooperation for the Indian space program in the region and the competition it faces from China. She further discusses major debates around Anti- Satellite Weapons, Militarization of Space and the role of Global Governance in coming up with an international policy on space.
Happymon Jacob speaks to Amb. Nils Ragnar Kamsvåg (Ambassador of Norway to India since 2015) about Norway’s place in the comity of nations as a peace-builder. Norwegian efforts and contribution toward UN peacekeeping is discussed and decline in the same since 1990s is also analysed. Amb. Kamsvåg identifies Norway’s peace-building credentials as reflective of its foreign policy objective of establishing a rule-based international order. He addresses the controversy surrounding Norway’s former PMs offer to mediate on Kashmir conflict between India & Pakistan, stating that Norway’s official position is that Kashmir is a bilateral issue. Amb. Kamsvåg talks about evolution of India-Norway relations over his tenure as Ambassador of Norway to India since 2015.
Happymon Jacob speaks to Vipin Narang (Author of Nuclear Strategy in the Modern Era) about the status of India’s No First Use Nuclear policy in light of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement that India’s adherence to ‘No First Use’ in future will depend on the circumstances. Mr. Narang argues that continued aggression by Pakistan has led to shift in India’s counterforce strategy. It has prompted the leadership in Delhi to explore more flexible pre-emptive counterforce options in an attempt to re-establish deterrence. He also discusses nuclear escalation dynamics between India and Pakistan and possible strategies for the two nuclear armed neighbours.
Happymon Jacob speaks to Amb. TCA Raghavan about the geopolitical implications of India’s decision to abrogate Article 370. Amb. Raghavan examines Pakistan’s responses, i.e. downgrading of diplomatic ties with India and taking the matter to UN Security Council. He also examines the impact of abrogation of Article 370 on Sino-India, Indo-Afghan relations and repercussions on India’s central Asia policy.
In this episode, Happymon Jacob speaks with Amb. Rakesh Sood (India) & Amb. Salman Bashir (Retd. Foreign Secretary of Pakistan & Former High Commissioner of Pakistan to India) and discusses the Lahore Declaration (signed in 1999), and its renewed importance in the aftermath of Pulwama and Balakot. The conversation discusses the confidence-building measures (CBMs) that emerged as a consequence of this declaration, in line with the Simla agreement (1972).
Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Saikat Dutta (South Asia Editor at Asia Times Online & Strategic Advisor at NullCon) about a story he published on the Indian military undergoing major reforms that will have far reaching consequences for India’s military strategy towards Pakistan and China. He speaks about the trajectory of these reforms and the rationale behind them. Mr. Dutta dwells upon the state of jointness within the Indian military vis-à-vis China and how this may affect future conflict scenarios. He highlights inadequacies in India’s defence spending and provides his analysis of the latest defence budget, all the while offering an insightful understanding of how India is planning to fight future wars and the gaps that continue to dog them.
In this episode, Shah Faesal (Former Bureaucrat & Founder of Jammu & Kashmir People’s Movement), is interviewed by Dr Happymon Jacob and Amber Rahim Shamsi (Pakistani Journalist and host of ‘Sawaal with Amber’ on Samaa TV). He speaks about his experience of growing up in Jammu & Kashmir and his years in bureaucracy, which he resigned from in 2018. He offers his understanding of J&K as a tripartite conflict between India, Pakistan and the people of J&K. He discusses his decision to enter active politics and launching his own party, Jammu & Kashmir People’s Movement, which he posits as an alternative for resolution in Jammu & Kashmir. Mr. Faesal stresses on the resolution of J& K conflict with foremost consideration of Kashmiri people and their involvement in any such process.
Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Niranjan Sahoo [Author of two books: Politics of Power Sector Reforms in India, Pentagon Press, 2007 and Reservation Policy and its Implementation across Domains in India: An Analytical Review, Academic Foundation, 2009] about Maoist Insurgency in India with reference to his recently published paper titled “Half a Century of India’s Maoist Insurgency: An Appraisal of State Response.” Mr. Sahoo provides a historical overview of the Naxalite movement and speaks about major course of events that posited it as the “single-biggest threat” to Indian State by the mid-2000s. He speaks about the Indian state’s counterinsurgency approach. Mr. Sahoo also addresses controversies regarding state-sponsored vigilante group Salwa-Judum (or Purification Hunt) and debate surrounding the so called “Urban Naxals.”
Happymon Jacob speaks with Sushobha Barve (Executive Secretary & Programme Director, Centre for Dialogue & Reconciliation, New Delhi) about her peace-building efforts in different parts of the country, especially in Kashmir. She talks about civil peacebuilding initiatives in Jammu & Kashmir carried out by her organization. She illustrates the importance of wide-ranging community level dialogues. She also dwells on her experience working with riot-affected communities in Mumbai after 1993 bomb blasts and the impact of such violence on communities. Mrs. Barve argues that the government in New Delhi must work towards ending hostilities in Jammu & Kashmir and must increase its efforts to engage at the level of communities.
Happymon Jacob speaks with Wajahat Habibullah (Former Chairperson for National Commission for Minorities and the First Chief Information Commissioner of India, an officer of the Jammu & Kashmir Cadre of the Indian Administrative Services, and the author of the much-acclaimed book, ‘My Kashmir: The Dying of the Light’) about the evolution of Jammu & Kashmir’s relations vis-à-vis the Indian state. Mr Habibullah elucidates upon the declining faith in Indian democratic institutions in particular and the Indian state in general. He discusses issues like corruption in bureaucracy, policy paralysis and political abdication, and other issues that have prevented democratic institutions from assimilating the aspirations of Kashmiri people. Have Articles 370 and 35A stabilized centre-state relations, as envisioned? What can future governments in New Delhi learn from these issues to reinstate faith in democratic institutions and the idea of India? These questions are also discussed in the conversation.
Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with Siddhartha Gigoo (Author of ‘Long Dream of Home’ and ‘A Fistful of Earth’) about the social and political circumstances in which Kashmiri Pandits had to leave Kashmir. Mr Gigoo narrates his first experience of persecution as a young boy and the escalation of such instances from harmless banter to organized exodus. He asserts that successive governments have failed to rehabilitate Kashmiri Pandits to their ‘homeland’, and have merely used their cause for electoral gains. Mr Gigoo laments at the loss of identity, dignity and a sense of belonging that Kashmiri Pandits, now settled across the world have experienced. The Kashmiri Pandit mind is now torn between deceitful hope and a dissipating longing for return.
Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with Dr. David Devadas (Senior Journalist and author of ‘The Story of Kashmir’ and ‘The Generation of Rage in Kashmir’) about his two books. Dr. Devadas argues that one of the reasons why insurgency has returned to the valley most recently is because both the state and central government apparatus have failed to capitalize on the impact of PM Vajpayee’s outreach to Kashmir. He argues that policymakers have successively failed to capture the pulse on the ground, often focused on projecting ‘normalcy’ in the state for the rest of the country. The conversation also looks at how a rapidly changing social geography, influence of smartphones, problems of education, and international war on terror, etc., have influenced a new generation in Kashmir, which is vehemently anti-India. The conversation tries to address some common misperceptions about the insurgency in the valley and suggest ways in which stability could be established.
Happymon Jacob speaks with Abhijnan Rej (Defense Analyst & Political Risk Consultant) about India’s Defense budget. Mr. Rej compares defense budgets of the UPA and NDA governments and looks at how much has been allocated to capital and revenue aspects of defense. Additionally he talks about defense misspends, reasons why defense modernisation in budgets of successive governments bear the burnt when it comes to budget cuts; relationship between opposition to small sizing the Indian army and electoral implications due to shift in recruitment patterns from martial to non-martial states & other holy cows concerning defense spending. The conversation also touches upon the concepts of two & two and half front wars, India’s nuclear doctrine and indigenous defense production. In conclusion Mr Rej argues that intent without capabilities is bluffing, but if this bluff is exposed either by China or Pakistan, the outcomes for India will not be good. Hence any future government must focus on capabilities by reducing defense misspend.
Happymon Jacob speaks with Commander Abhijit Singh (Head of Maritime Policy Initiative, ORF) about the Indo-Pacific region and the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD). How does India view the Indo-Pacific region and what is its maritime strategy to maintain control over it? How do various actors involved, i.e. China, US, Australia view this region? Is India soft pedalling the QUAD? Why has India shied away from militarising the QUAD? How central is China’s growing military presence in the Indian Ocean and its overt aggression in the South China Sea, to the aims and objectives of the QUAD? Has India done enough to hedge against Chinese advances in the Western Indian Ocean? What should be India’s grand strategic thinking vis-à-vis Chinese naval advancement and incursions in the Indo-Pacific?
Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Dr Manoj Joshi, author of the book ‘The Lost Rebellion: Kashmir in the Nineties’, about the history of insurgency in Jammu and Kashmir. Dr. Joshi discusses the primary and secondary factors that led to the rise of insurgency, the role of Pakistan, the response of the Indian government, the experiences of the security forces in controlling the insurgency and the impact of events in Afghanistan in the 1980’s. The conversation also compares this rise of insurgency to what we have witnessed over the last decade. Does Pakistan play an equal role today as it did in the 90s? Have the Indian government and security forces adapted well to respond to insurgency in the state today? What has gone wrong and what needs to change in Indian government’s counter insurgency response? These are some questions Dr Joshi attempts to answer.
Happymon Jacob speaks with Dr. Jabin T. Jacob (Associate Professor at the Department of International Relations and Governance Studies, Shiv Nadar University) about China vetoing the request to put Masooz Azar on terror black list. What explains the Chinese behaviour of staking its relations with India for this cause? Does the China-Pakistan grand strategic alliance aim at more than just containing India? The conversation also discusses the specifics of China’s strategies in its dealing with India. Does post-Wuhan phase offer more scope of rapprochement between the two giants or is just an eyewash? Does India have a choice to not accept rising dominance of China in the region and whether boycotting forums like CPEC and OBOR further Indian strategic objectives in the region?
Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Amb. Vivek Katju (India’s Amb. to Thailand, Afghanistan and Myanmar) about India’s attendance at the recently concluded summit of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) as guest of honour and the subsequent OIC resolution condemning India’s actions in Kashmir. How does one understand these opposing signals? India is invited and later condemned? The conversation also discusses the developing geopolitical situation in Afghanistan and its implications for India. Who is to benefit from the US withdrawal from Afg? Is the Taliban capable of power sharing or will it remain under the strong influence of Pakistan? Amb. Katju also discusses the Balakot air strikes and how they have fundamentally altered the escalation ladder between India and Pakistan.
Happymon Jacob speaks with Manoj Joshi (Senior Defence Journalist),Siddharth Vardarajan (Founding Editor, The Wire) and AVM (Retd.) Kapil Kak to understand the strikes carried by the Indian Air Force in Balakot in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan on a JeM training facility. The conversation tries to understand the official Indian and Pakistani responses to this operation. Why did the Indian govt. term it as ‘Non-Military Pre-Emptive’ action and what objectives did the Pakistani govt. achieve by denying the impact of the strike. The conversation further discusses whether India has altered the escalation ladder in South Asia by using air power and striking inside Pakistani territory? If yes, how will Pakistan respond? Will this strike stop Pakistan’s support to non-state actors or will it have the opposite effect?
Happymon Jacob speaks with Lt Gen (Dr) Prakash Menon, author of The Strategy Trap: India and Pakistan under the Nuclear Shadow (Wisdom Tree, 2018), about some of the main themes in his book. The episode begins with a discussion on India’s defence organisation and the need for reforms. Jacob asks Lt Gen Menon whether India’s nuclear strategy and doctrine need to be reviewed and adapted. The discussion progresses toward India’s option for low-scale conventional strikes against Pakistan; Gen Menon says that such strikes have low political utility for India vis-à-vis altering Pakistan’s strategic behaviour. The episode closes with an engaging debate on India’s military strategy towards China.
Happymon Jacob speaks with Mr Manish Tewari (Former Union Minister) about the political aftermath of the Pulwama terrorist attack. Mr Tewari comments on the response of the BJP led NDA government to the attacks and refutes charges of playing politics over the attack, levied on the Congress party. Mr Tewari argues that raising questions after any such attack is the constitutional role of the opposition and this should not be presented as being ‘anti-national’. Further, he responds to Pakistan’s requests for enough evidence to act against Jaish-E-Mohammed and comments on the political reasons of how such an attack took place.
Happymon Jacob speaks with Siddharth Varadarajan (Founding Editor, The Wire), Col. Ajai Shukla (Defence Editor, Business Standard) and Moeed Yusuf (U.S. Institute of Peace) in order to analyse the Pulwama attack and to assess the menu of options India has, to respond. The conversation also discusses the indigenous nature of this attack, the degree to which it can be attributed to agents in Pakistan, the diplomatic and military options India has vis-à-vis Pakistan and the causes of rise in number of youths joining militancy in J and K as well as increasing hostilities between armed forces and civilians in the state. Can all this be attributed to the present govt.’s failed Pakistan as well as Kashmir policy? or is this a pre-election surprise by Imran Khan’s govt. for PM Modi?
In this episode Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with Maj. Gen. Satbir Singh (Member, Indian Ex-Servicemen Movement) and Maj. Priyadarshi Chowdhury (National Coordinator/Spokesperson, Joint agitation of Kisans and Jawans) about the latest agitation by the ex-servicemen community about problems with the existing One Rank One Pension scheme, degradation of defense service conditions, reasons for considering armed forces as a unique profession requiring extra post-retirement benefits and drastically falling rates of new recruits.
In this episode Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with Lt. Gen. Satish Dua (Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Retd.) to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC)) who played a major role in the establishment of three ‘integrated functional commands’ i.e. special operations, cyber, and space. The conversation looks at the importance of tri-service integration, history and current status of India’s efforts at integration, outstanding issues and what needs to be done in the future. The conversation also discusses the three new ‘integrated functional commands’ and whether these will adequately address India’s strategic environment.
Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Dr Vipin Narang (Associate Professor, Security Studies, MIT) about the new revolution in the military affairs (RMA) and its implications on global and regional strategic stability. The conversation discusses China’s growing military capabilities, especially new age weapon systems and their impact on India’s defense preparedness. Dr Narang also discusses the concept of a ‘Third Nuclear Age’, tactical nuclear weapon systems and their impact on nuclear dyads like India and Pakistan. How must India’s strategic doctrine and practices adapt in order to maintain a healthy deterrent capability in the third nuclear age?
Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Prof Mahendra P. Lama (Member, Eminent Persons Group on Nepal and India) about India Nepal relations in the context of growing closeness between Nepal and China. Is India to blame for its reducing influence over Nepal? Why exactly has Nepal moved closer to China? What must India do to regain influence in the region? The conversation attempts to answer these question in the context of India’s place, policies and perceptions in South Asia.
Dr. Happymon Jacob discusses results of the recent general elections in Bangladesh with Ambassador Veena Sikri (High Commissioner to Bangladesh. Dec 2003 to Nov 2006). The conversation also looks at what these results will mean for India-Bangladesh relations. What is the current state of relations between the two countries and how this may change with increasing Chinese forays into South Asia? What can India learn from its relations with Bangladesh and apply to its policies towards other regional neighbours?
Dr Happymon Jacob speaks with Moeed W. Yusuf (Associate Vice President, Asia Center at the U.S. Institute of Peace) about lack of India-Pak crisis management measures in the context of Imran Khan’s peace offers. The conversation tries to answer: What drives the Bajwa doctrine? What are the chances of escalation of crisis given that China and US may not work together for a third party intervention? What is the least common denominator India and Pakistan must agree on to better relations? Should normalising relations with Pakistan be a priority for India?
Dr Happymon Jacob talks to Dr C Raja Mohan (Director, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore) about India’s place in South Asia, what South Asia means as a political construct and how the arrival of China on the scene complicates the traditional India-centric geopolitical image of South Asia. They further discuss where India has gone wrong in managing the neighbourhood, what it must do to wrestle back influence from China, and the importance of multilateral forums like SAARC in reviving India’s integration into its neighbourhood.
Happymon Jacob speaks with C. Uday Bhaskar, Director, Society for Policy Studies, New Delhi, on the lessons learned from the 26/11 terror attack, current state of India's coastal security, important of beefing up India’s maritime surveillance using the latest technology, and the politics of intelligence.
Dr. Happymon Jacob talks to Prof Peter Jones (Associate Professor, Public and International Affairs, University of Ottawa) about the theory and practice of Track Two Diplomacy. This is a master class on Track Two Diplomacy as Prof Jones discusses the necessity of Track Two, the problems with the processes, reluctance from State governments to participate, the successes and failures so far and the credible impact that many Track Twos have had in conflict situations.
Happymon Jacob talks to Vice Admiral Shekhar Sinha (former Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Member of Defence Acquisition Council - 2010 to 2012, Commander in Chief of the Western Naval Command) about INS Arihant's contribution to completing India's 39 nuclear triad, robustness of India’s sea-based nuclear deterrence, Nuclear Command and Control issues and growing maritime capabilities in Indian Ocean Region.
Happymon Jacob talks to Prof. Farzana Shaikh (Associate Fellow of the Royal Institute of International Affairs in London) about Imran Khan's ascension to Prime-Ministership, his domestic and foreign policy, the role of Islam in Pakistan's democratic set up, role of Pak military in its relations with India and what CPEC means for Pakistan. Dr. Shaikh is the author of Community and Consensus in Islam (1989, 2012) and Making Sense of Pakistan (2009, 2018).
Dr. Happymon Jacob in conversation with Professor Rajesh Rajagopalan on India’s strategic posture. Rajagopalan argues that India should shed its concerns about escalation and adopt a proactive military strategy towards Pakistan. The discussion brings out Rajagopalan’s realist perspective on India’s national security.
Happymon Jacob speaks with Yamini Aiyar (President and Chief Executive of Centre for Policy Research) about the implications of governance and development on national security. The discussion attempts at understanding the meaning of national security to include internal security challenges. Has the Indian state adequately prioritized domestic security issues? Has the strategy of securitization and militarization in disturbed areas served the state well?
Happymon Jacob talks to Pravin Sawhney (Founding editor FORCE magazine) about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s defence policy, need for understanding the real threat from China, future of warfare and India’s unpreparedness for the same. The conversation delves into what is wrong with India’s efforts with RMA (revolution in military affairs), the weakness of ‘two front’ war theory and what India must do to balance the behemoth that China has become.
Happymon Jacob talks to Amb. Aziz Ahmed Khan (Pakistan's High Commissioner to India from June 2003 to September 2006) and seasoned Indian diplomat Amb. K. C. Singh, to understand why India-Pakistan bilateral relations have taken a negative turn. The conversation veers into possibilities of redirecting the bilateral relationship towards peaceful coexistence and what each country will have to do to achieve this end.
Happymon Jacob speaks to Prof. Nisha Taneja (Professor, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations) about the issues of formal and informal trade between India and Pakistan. The conversation further examines the impact of joint business forums and lobbies on trade; the potential of e-commerce and connectivity projects and major policy changes that need to be implemented by both countries to improve trade.
Dr. Happymon Jacob talks to Amb. Shiv Shankar Menon about the state of India’s national security. The conversations delve into contemporary challenges that India faces, the meaning of security, and the goals of the national security apparatus. Dr. Jacob and Amb. Menon also discusses India’s relations with its neighbours and what India must do to continue its rise along with China.
Happymon Jacob talks to Arvind Gupta, former deputy national security adviser to the Government of India and currently director of the Vivekananda International Foundation, about India’s national security institutions, overlap in their mandates, issues in the coordination of their activities, importance of the National Security Council and its role in formulating India’s grand strategy.
Happymon Jacob discusses the performance and implications of Washington's South Asia Policy 2017 with Bharath Gopalaswamy, Director, South Asia Center at the Atlantic Council.
Defense analyst Ajai Shukla and The Wire's founding editor M.K. Venu join Happymon Jacob to discuss the controversy surrounding the BJP-led government’s decision to buy 36 Rafale fighter jets from France.
Dr. Happymon Jacob speaks with Col (Retd) Ali Ahmed about doctrinal thinking in the Indian armed forces and the need to devise a comprehensive national security strategy.
Happymon Jacob talks to Air Vice Marshal (retd.) Arjun Subramaniam about the problems of jointness in the Indian military.
Happymon Jacob talks to former ambassador Rakesh Sood about the state of play on the global nuclear non-proliferation regime, the nuclear nonproliferation treaty, and India’s place in the global nuclear order. Rakesh Sood was India's first permanent representative to the conference on disarmament at the United Nations in Geneva and special envoy of the Prime Minister for disarmament and non-proliferation Issues (2013 to 2014).
Happymon Jacob discusses the result of general elections in Pakistan with Dr. Ashok K.Behuria. He is a close observer of developments in South Asia and has been awarded the prestigious K Subrahmanyam Award for excellence in strategic studies for his work in Pakistan in 2009. The conversation revolves around the impact of a new govt. in Pakistan on its domestic and foreign policy.
Dr. Happymon Jacob in conversation with Amb Meera Shankar, former Indian ambassador to the US, about the challenges and opportunities facing the India-US strategic partnership, the upcoming 2+2 dialogue, and managing strategic relationships with other major players, particularly in Asia.
Happymon Jacob talks to K. C. Singh, former Indian Ambassador to Iran, about India’s decision to reduce oil imports from Iran under US pressure, Trump’s impact on the global political order, and how PM Modi’s foreign policy of ‘running with the hares and hunting with the hounds’ is misdirected.
Dr. Happymon Jacob talks to Lt. Gen. H. S. Panag (retd.) on the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in J&K, politicisation of the armed forces, and the surgical strike of September 2016.
In the tenth episode of National Security Conversations, Dr. Happymon Jacob discusses with Mr. Manish Tewari the successes and failures of PM Modi’s foreign policy, deteriorating neighborhood relations, and future steps that India must take to regain trust in the region and balance China.
Happymon Jacob speaks to Vivek Katju, former Indian ambassador to Afghanistan, on India’s Afghanistan policy, the Taliban’s increasing influence, Pakistan’s efforts to influence Afghan policy towards India, and joint efforts by India and China to stabilize the region.
On the 20th anniversary of India’s nuclear weapon tests, Happymon Jacob discusses India’s nuclear policy with Dr. Manpreet Sethi, an expert on nuclear issues.
Happymon Jacob interviews former J&K CM Farooq Abdullah about the unrest in Kashmir and what needs to be done in order to bring normalcy and peace to the valley.
Happymon Jacob interviews Admiral Arun Prakash, former chief of the Indian Navy, about India's defense preparedness.
In this episode of 'National Security Conversations', Happymon Jacob speaks to Anuradha M Chenoy, former Professor at the Centre for Russian & Central Asian Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, about the informal summit between Indian PM Modi and Russian President Putin in Sochi, Russia.
Happymon Jacob speaks to Sumit Ganguly, Professor at Indiana University, about the Trump presidency, Korean rapprochement, and Indo-US ties under the shadow of China.
Amarjit Singh Dulat, former chief of the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), talks about the political and security situation in Kashmir in the third episode of 'National Security Conversations with Happymon Jacob'.
Happymon Jacob, associate professor at JNU, discusses ceasefire violations along the Line of Control (LoC) with Syed Ata Hasnain, Retd. Lieutenant General in the Indian army.
Happymon Jacob, associate professor at JNU, discusses the recently concluded 'informal' summit meeting between PM Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping with Alka Acharya, professor of Chinese Studies at the Jawaharlal Nehru University.