Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France and  the United States this week will be diplomatically important. It marks his first official trip since Donald Trump’s return to office, highlighting the strategic importance of India-US relations. The agenda includes discussions on trade disputes, defence cooperation, and security in the Indo-Pacific, with a focus on a potential F-35 fighter jet deal. Talks will also cover India’s position on Russia, Iran sanctions, and AI collaboration amid concerns over China’s growing influence. With economic ties strengthening and geopolitical alignments shifting, this visit will set the course for the next phase of India-US partnership.

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Produced by Garvit Srivastava

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Donald Trump built his image as tough on China—tariffs, tech bans, and military alliances to counter Beijing. But now, he's making moves that hint at a potential deal. From inviting Xi Jinping to his inauguration to softening trade threats, could Trump actually strike a geopolitical peace with China? And if he does, what would it mean for India?

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Produced by Garvit Srivastava

Sound Mix by Suraj Singh

On this episode of Geeta’s World, Foreign Affairs Editor Geeta Mohan takes a look at what President Donald Trump's tenure means for India-U.S. relations. Geeta and Shashank discuss Trump’s approach to the world and list the major challenges and opportunities for India vis-a-vis United States. Deportation of illegal Indian immigrants, a possible economic confrontation including trade and tariff changes, and Trump's threat to the globalized world order are the important challenges.

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Produced by Garvit Srivastava

Sound Mix by Suraj Singh

2024 wasn't just a year of elections but a year of reckoning. Dubbed the "super year," it witnessed a global wave of anti-incumbency. From the UK to South Africa, Japan to France, ruling parties, whether left or right, were humbled—or defeated outright.

What does this global rejection of incumbents signify? Do these trends signal a demand for genuine systemic change or simply a cyclical rejection of the status quo?

Back home, following the grand success of the G20 summit in 2023, this year, cracks emerged in its "Neighbourhood First" policy as relations with Myanmar, Nepal, Maldives, Bangladesh, Pakistan, China, and Sri Lanka faltered. Experts suggest a strategic shift may be overdue.

So, how should India's foreign diplomacy and global standing be assessed today? Has its global stature diminished?

In this episode of Geeta's World, our host, Anna Priyadarshini, and the foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network, Geeta Mohan, discuss!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat

Chapters:

(3:30) — "Super-year" of elections

(11:23) — Donald Trump’s Victory

(21:40) — Israel-Hamas War

(31:26) — India’s Global standing

(37:59) — A reset in India-China relations?

(45:51) — Manmohan Singh’s legacy

On December 20, tragedy struck Magdeburg's Christmas market when a black SUV ploughed through holiday shoppers. Four women and a nine-year-old boy died, while 200 others were injured, including seven Indians.

The suspect, Taleb Al-Abdulmohsen, a 50-year-old Saudi psychiatrist, has been arrested. He had been granted asylum in Germany in 2016 and was critical of the “Islamism of Europe.”

He is also a staunch supporter of the far-right and anti-immigrant Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. And Nancy Faeser, Germany’s interior minister, said after the attack that he was “obviously Islamophobic”. So, what do we know of this man, and was this attack political?

And, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz faces backlash over alleged security lapses, as Saudi Arabia had flagged Al-Abdulmohsen’s radical views as early as 2007 and had requested extradition. Germany refused, fearing for his safety.

So, why did Germany ignore Saudi warnings?

In this episode of Geeta's World, our host, Anna Priyadarshini, and the foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network, Geeta Mohan, discuss!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat

Chapters:

(7:47) — The curious case of the accused

(13:24) — Only AFD can save Germany?

(19:06) — Berlin freezing asylum applications from Syrians

(21:50) — Why did Germany ignore Saudi's alerts?

(29:57) —  Rise of Islamist terror in Europe

(39:21) — Proliferation of the far-right in Europe

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been impeached by the National Assembly, making him the third president in the country to face suspension through such a vote.

The impeachment was triggered by Yoon's decision to impose martial law. Although the martial law lasted only six hours, it plunged the nation into political chaos. But why did Yoon resort to such a drastic measure in the first place?

The impeachment now moves to South Korea's Constitutional Court, which has 180 days to decide its outcome. However, formally removing Yoon from office will not be an easy task. Why is the path to his formal impeachment so challenging?

In this episode of Geeta's World, our host, Anna Priyadarshini, and the foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network, Geeta Mohan, discuss!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat

On December 8, rebel forces stormed Damascus and ousted President Bashar al-Assad, who had been ruling Syria since 2000. Reports suggest Assad has fled to Russia, where he has sought asylum.

For over 53 years, the Assad family—first Hafez, then Bashar—has governed Syria. So how did the Assads, an Alawite Shia family, a minority in Syria, maintain control in a predominantly Sunni country?

Now, the question is: who will govern Syria? One potential leader is HTS chief Abu Mohammed al-Jolani. He has pledged to protect minorities and women and says he has no intentions to impose strict Islamic law. However, his complex past suggests he could shift his political stance as needed. Will al-Jolani emerge as a reformist, or will he follow a path akin to Al-Qaeda?

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat

Chapters:

(4:25) — Shia rule over Sunni majority for 53 years

(12:57) — How rebel forces toppled the govt

(17:05) — Will Al-Jolani govern Syria?

(25:26) — Syria, a fragmented country

(28:46) — Arab world's dynamics

(30:29) — Russia and Iran abandoned Syria?

(40:04) — Is the Assad dynasty long gone?

On November 25-26, Islamabad witnessed chaos as around 10,000 PTI supporters defied a government ban, leading to violent clashes. According to Reuters, nearly 1,000 protesters were arrested, five security personnel lost their lives, and 22 police vehicles were set ablaze.

The protesters demanded the release of Imran Khan and other “political prisoners” and sought to repeal a constitutional amendment that boosts the government's power over judicial appointments in political cases.

Despite Khan urging supporters to “fight to the end,” PTI called off the protests after three days, citing "government brutality." Was this a strategic retreat or symbolic messaging? Did it achieve the desired impact or fall short of Khan’s vision?

Meanwhile, Imran Khan’s wife, Bushra Bibi, has unexpectedly emerged in the spotlight. Some say her involvement in party affairs is deepening PTI's internal divisions and that Khan downplayed her role, claiming she merely conveyed his messages. But could there be more to the story? If Khan is displeased with her influence, what’s driving his unease?

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Also, listen to our episode on Hindus in Bangladesh here: https://podcasts.indiatoday.in...&-history/geetas-world/hindus-in-bangladesh-are-attacks-on-minorities-political-or-communal-or-both-geetas-world-ep-110-1123934-2024-11-20

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat

Chapters:

(1:37) — Introduction

(3:56) — Demands of PTI supporters

(11:37) — Army's brutal usage of live rounds

(16:30) — What did the protest achieve?

(23:54) — Bushra Bibi's role

(29:35) — Sectarian violence

Tens of thousands of Hindus recently protested in Chattogram and across Bangladesh, demanding protection from escalating violence against them.

A counter-narrative suggests these attacks are more political than communal. The Diplomat reported that of over 1,000 minority-owned properties attacked post-Hasina’s ouster, over 500 belonged to Awami League members. So, is this violence targeting Hindus or political rivals? What are the ground realities for religious minorities in Bangladesh?

Also, Awami League leader Anwaruzzaman Chowdhury has filed a complaint at the ICC against Muhammad Yunus and 61 others under Article 15 of the Rome Statute, alleging brutal genocide against Awami League members, Hindus, Christians, Buddhists, and the Bangladeshi police. What role does the ICC play in addressing such cases? How does it decide on such matters?

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Donald Trump has been elected as the 47th U.S. president, becoming the first convicted criminal to win the White House. At 78, he is also the oldest person ever elected to office. With his election, a new world order is to set in.

Was this victory more a choice for Trump or a rejection of Kamala Harris and the Democrats? What factors led to her loss?

In his speech, Trump vowed, “I will stop wars,” citing his prior term without new conflicts. What will his approach look like regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. Can he achieve what the Biden administration couldn’t?

In this episode of Geeta's World, our host, Anna Priyadarshini, and the foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network, Geeta Mohan, discuss!

Chapters:

2:21 - 5:21 — On-ground insights
5:21 - 11:13 — Democrats allowed the Republicans to thrive
11:13 - 13:18 — Biggest player was Joe Biden?
13:18 - 19:38 — How PM Modi is going to deal with Trump
19:38 - 20:54 — What’s next for the US and the world
20:54 - 25:29 — Can Trump stop the wars
25:29 - 28:55 — Abortion rights

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi