A weekly podcast and a deep dive into the most pressing global issues through the lens of India and Russia. Two civilizational powers. The world’s largest democracy, India, and the world’s largest nation, Russia – like chess pieces navigating a shifting global board. Hosted by Runjhun Sharma, head of news at RT India, the show draws on her years of covering foreign policy from New Delhi, Moscow, and beyond.
Conversation with Zorawar Daulet Singh, strategic affairs expert
In the latest episode of India, Russia and the World, strategic affairs expert Zorawar Daulet Singh notes NATO’s hesitation to back the US in the Iran war, saying that if Washington had succeeded early, “they would have all joined like vultures into that conflict.” He also adds that Russia, India, China, and even Iran are emerging as key players in a new Eurasian balance that could act as stabilising forces shaping the next century.
Conversation with Nitin A. Gokhale, strategic analyst & founder of StratNewsGlobal.com
In the latest episode of India, Russia and the World, Nitin A. Gokhale, strategic analyst & founder of StratNewsGlobal.com, says that the US started the war in Iran without any objective and now can’t end it. He’s very clear that Iran has the upper hand in the negotiations and has immensely gained from the war, while the US has no gains to show. He also sheds light on President Trump deliberately making bizarre and unpredictable, but well-timed, comments to manipulate the stock markets.
Conversation with Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera, Cuban ambassador to India
In the latest episode of India, Russia and the World, Juan Carlos Marsan Aguilera, the Cuban ambassador to India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan, says US foreign policy is driven by the pursuit of global dominance. Responding to Donald Trump’s remarks that Cuba could be targeted next after Venezuela and Iran, he asserts that Cuba remains an obstacle to American dominance in the region and that Cubans are prepared to face any military aggression and defend their sovereignty. On global alliances, the ambassador underscores the importance of Russia and China to the island nation, recalling Russia’s critical oil delivery after a severe three-month shortage, a gesture for which, he says, Cubans felt deep gratitude toward the Russian people.
Conversation with Seyed Mohammad Marandi and Sanjiv Arora, former Indian Ambassador to Lebanon and Qatar
In this episode of India, Russia and the World, we look at the US-Iran crisis through two distinct lenses. First, Seyed Mohammad Marandi, a political analyst and professor at the University of Tehran, unpacks the Iran ceasefire, calling it “a catastrophic defeat for the United States.” Marandi asserts that Iran remains firmly in control of the Strait of Hormuz, with its armed forces prepared to resume the war if negotiations are used as a cover for rearmament or deception. We also speak to Sanjiv Arora, former Indian ambassador to Lebanon and Qatar, who brings in the Indian perspective, explaining what developments around Iran mean for India’s energy security and its efforts to diversify oil supplies.
Conversation with Shia cleric Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi
In this episode on India, Russia and the World, Kashmiri member of the Indian parliament and Shia cleric Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi explains the reasons for the deep connection Kashmiri Muslims share with Iran. He holds the British responsible for creating the political divide between Shia and Sunni Muslims in the Gulf nations. He calls out the West for looking at Muslims only through the narrow lens of their women’s clothes and terrorist outfits like the Al-Qaeda and ISIS, and using that as a pretext for demonizing them.
Conversation with Suhasini Haidar, diplomatic editor for The Hindu
In this episode, Suhasini Haidar, the diplomatic editor of The Hindu, highlights how America’s reading of the mindset of Iranians has been its biggest miscalculation. She emphasizes that India has always stood for strong bilateral ties with all nations in the Middle East, but it must secure its food, fuel, and fertilizer security. She stresses the fact that the US, which had always underpinned the global rules-based order, is now its biggest violator.