Bangladesh gears up for its 12th general elections on January 7, but there are concerns of the elections being lopsided.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to be seeking a record fourth-term in office, but major opposition parties such as the BNP are opting to boycott, with discussions about reinstating a caretaker government for elections.

But many critics feel that the return to the caretaker government will be counterproductive in protecting democratic institutions in Bangladesh and might hinder the progress of the country. So will going back to a caretaker government actually help the opposition?

And if Sheikh Hasina secures a fourth term, what changes can be expected in her foreign policy, particularly in engagements with China and the US?

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

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

The U.S. Department of Justice has indicted a senior Indian government intelligence official for allegedly plotting the assassination of U.S. citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.

But the question is: To what extent will the U.S. pursue this case, given their decision not to disclose the identity of the Indian official? Does it mean they don't want to risk its relations with India?

And, considering that Khalistan is largely perceived as a romanticized sentiment in India, with minimal real threats in the internal landscape, why would India jeopardise crucial geopolitical relationships by allegedly plotting such assassinations on international soil?

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

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat

Nearly 1,00,000 delegates from 198 countries are participating in the global conference in Dubai for COP28, which commenced on Thursday and will run through December 12.

Delegates at COP28 in Dubai established a new fund to aid developing nations in coping with climate-induced damages. So far $660m from 15 developed countries and the host, UAE has been pledged. But is this enough?

And as per Oxfam's 2022 report, wealthy nations may fall short by $75 billion in fulfilling the $100 billion annual pledge for climate finance. With the transition to renewable energy requiring trillions by 2030 and escalating losses from global warming, where will this massive funding come from?

But to really walk the talk, is always the challenge. Our host Anna Priyadarshini and foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network Geeta Mohan discuss what challenges await in fighting the climate war and how and what way the COP 28 can contribute.

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

Geert Wilders, an anti-Islam populist, won a significant victory in the Dutch election with his Party for Freedom (PVV) emerging as the single largest party with 37 seats in the 150-menber lower house.

Despite the win, he lacks a majority and he says that he must negotiate with other parties to reach the required 76 seats. But several parties such as the Labor-Green alliance have rejected collaboration opposing his anti-migration and euro-sceptic stance. So, how much of a compromise is he willing to make?

And did toning down his hardline Islamophobic rhetoric contribute to his victory?

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

Distinguished delegations from Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, and Palestine, alongside Indonesia's foreign minister, convened in Beijing for a two-day middle east summit hosted by the Chinese government on November 20

But is there a reason why an important and significant player like Iran gave it a miss?

And despite attempts, which include threats from Iran or Hezbollah, and persistent diplomatic efforts from the United States, and Arab countries such as Saudi Arabia, the Israeli aggression in the region continues unabated. So what more can China offer? Can they add any skin in the game?

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat

Maldives’s president Mohamed Muizzu has decided to send Indian troops out of the country, while pledging to safeguard the Maldives' independence and sovereignty.

So how will this decision impact India-Maldives relations? Should India be concerned?

And is it because the Maldivian opposition and its people have actually seen more tangible gains in terms of growth and development from Chinese assistance, that they’ve now voted for a pro-China President? And has India lost a key moment here and is now playing catch-up with China?

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat

In his first ever speech following the Israel-Hamas conflict, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah openly challenged Israel and the United States. He emphasized Hezbollah's readiness and lack of fear towards U.S. warships.

But why now? Why did the Hezbollah leader wait until now to issue a response to the recent month's devastating attacks?

And reports suggest that Iran does not want regional war, and even the Hezbollah leader did not declare all-out war on Israel, at least not at this moment. So, why this reluctance?

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat

At the UN General Assembly, India chose not to vote on a resolution promoting an immediate humanitarian truce between Israel and Hamas.

Was it a clever diplomatic move on India's part, considering they don't want to ruffle feathers with Israel and the United States?

On the one hand, the resolution seeks to prevent further escalation of the conflict and increase humanitarian aid for Gaza, while on the other, the Israelis are intensifying their attack. What purpose does the resolution even serve?

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

Nearly a week has passed since the Israeli military ordered the evacuation of northern Gaza's civilians to the southern region in preparation for a potential ground offensive. However, the invasion has been postponed.

Doesn't this delay seem like a ploy for political gains, because we know Netanyahu is being able to avoid immense domestic scrutiny from his own electorate because of this war?

And US efforts to persuade Saudi Arabia to condemn Hamas have proven unsuccessful. Undeterred by Middle eastern rage, Biden's visit to Israel solidified his support for the country. So now, can the US risk upsetting the Arab world, or is this more about pride and hubris?

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

Hamas launched a major attack and fired more than 5,000 rockets from the Gaza Strip toward Israel, resulting in the deadliest violence in Israel since the Yom Kippur war. 

And the global response varies, with some arguing that it was long overdue, and it's a response expected from the Palestinian people who have endured Israeli settler colonial rule and occupation for decades, while others emphasizing Israel's right to self-defense.  How should one perceive this?

And the timing of this assault appears to be intricately linked to the broader regional context, including the ongoing US-brokered normalization efforts between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Could this be the reason?

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

Revisit our previous coverage here: https://podcasts.indiatoday.in...&-history/geetas-world/al-aqsa-mosque-violence-israels-domestic-tensions-likely-to-translate-into-aggression-towards-palestinians-geetas-world-ep-39-541184-2023-04-11

https://podcasts.indiatoday.in...&-history/geetas-world/netanyahu-returns-israel-pm-palestine-may-suffer-more-who-was-original-aggressor-geetas-world-ep-24-489363-2022-12-27