In Our Defence

The surprise attack launched by Hamas over the weekend is just the latest chapter in a seventy-year-long saga of war and strife between Israelis and Palestinians, with far-reaching consequences that have involved external powers and created turmoil in the broader Middle East.

Why does this conflict stand out as uniquely complicated compared to others? Unlike more straightforward conflicts with defined boundaries, the West Bank is a mosaic of distinct pockets, housing Palestinian and Jewish communities side by side.

To truly understand the complexities, it's important to not ignore its historical context. In this episode, our host, Dev Goswami, and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla, explore what triggered the conflict, scrutinise Israel's security intelligence, and ponder what the future holds.

There's a growing concern regarding Prime Minister Netanyahu's handling of Israel's security intelligence, as he was “caught off-guard”. Could this crisis erode faith in Netanyahu's leadership among the Israeli populace, as critics argue that his focus on judicial reforms might have distracted him from security matters. How has this attack impacted the global perception of Israel's defense capabilities?

The duo also discuss Hamas' motivation for launching an attack when they knew they wouldn't emerge unscathed. What drove this ‘strategic’ attack?

And then, there's the broader international context: how can the West support Ukraine but not extend similar support to the Palestinians in their quest for self-determination and security?

Join us as we seek to make sense of this ongoing crisis.

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat

The row between India and Canada has only escalated and is showing no sign of ending soon. A lot has happened in the past week and in this podcast, our host Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla do a comprehensive analysis on the various nuances that have unfolded. 

With the responsibility now squarely on Trudeau to present supporting evidence, the pressure is on him to produce substantive material. Will he be able to?

Contrary to the prevailing narrative suggesting that Canada has been put in its place, what underlies the divergent perspective of the involved parties? Could this entire situation have been avoided with more proactive measures from both sides?

What are the nuances that are missing in the narratives that India is taking on against Canada?

What aspects of India's response may be deemed imprudent? Even after the conclusion of the G20 summit, ample time remained for a more assertive reaction. Why didn’t they react aggressively? 

Tune in as the matter gets escalated and more muddled, more questions arise!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

This week, India-Canada relations hit a new low, as experts have noted. The tension escalated when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused 'agents of the Indian government' of being involved in the killing of Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Nijjar, a designated terrorist, was fatally shot outside a Gurdwara in June of this year.

The souring of relations can be traced back to Trudeau's visit to New Delhi during India’s G20 presidency when, according to Trudeau, he raised Nijjar's killing with PM Modi and he said that  any Indian government involvement would be unacceptable and that he sought India's support in the investigation. Trudeau told this later country’s House of Commons. 

Subsequently, both India and Canada engaged in a diplomatic tit-for-tat, expelling each other's diplomats.

In this episode, our host Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla discuss the potential impact of this tension on India's relationship with Canada. They explore whether Trudeau's reaction was fair, or was it just one-upmanship.

They also delve into the motives behind Trudeau's comments in the Canadian parliament. Additionally, they examine what recent figures like Deep Sidhu reveal about the state of the Khalistani movement. Despite the movement appearing dormant in India, they ponder why this incident is still causing diplomatic turmoil.

The question raised at the end prompts further discussion: How far do we want to extend the ramifications of this situation?

This, and much more on this episode of In Our Defence.

Tune in!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

The world of defence is intertwined with the world of diplomacy.

On this episode, host Dev Goswami and “Def Savvy” Abhishek Bhalla explore just that against the backdrop of the recently concluded G20 Summit. The Summit attracted praise for India’s ability to ensure consensus on a joint statement at the end of the mega two-day event that took place in New Delhi. 

What went on behind the scenes as diplomats and bureaucrats carried out tough, rugged negotiations on the content of the joint statement? Tune in as Dev and Abhishek discuss how and why the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war almost derailed the joint statement. The duo also talk about how the joint statement’s paragraph on the Ukraine war have a significant India ‘flavour’ to them. 

Also on the episode, Dev and Abhishek talk about the elephant that was NOT in the room (well, kinda) – China and whether India’s performance at the G20 Summit will have any bearing on the Ladakh standoff that shows no signs of ending anytime soon. 

And finally, Dev and Abhishek look at the issue of Khalistan that was brought up by PM Narendra Modi during his one-on-one meeting with Canadian PM Justin Trudeau. How real is the separatist threat? 

This, and much more on this episode of In Our Defence.

Tune in!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

The NCERT curriculum for Class 7 has taken a meaningful stride by incorporating a chapter titled 'National War Memorial - an homage to our brave soldiers,' as announced by the defense ministry recently. This collaborative effort between the defense and education ministries aims to “instill vital values of patriotism, devotion to duty, courage, and sacrifice within school children”. Moreover, it seeks to enhance youth engagement in the process of nation-building.

Delving into the details of this chapter, one might ask, what precisely does the chapter exactly encompass? The chapter weaves a touching narrative where two friends engage in an exchange of heartfelt letters, expressing their deep gratitude for the freedom they relish, a freedom hard-earned through the unwavering sacrifices of our valiant soldiers.

This addition finds its place within the book 'Honeycomb,' although it's not a piece of literature but rather a compilation of readings, says Abhishek. While some aspects might appear 'stereotypical', he says, the overarching message is centered around national integration.

Interestingly, a thought-provoking query arises: Is incorporating such chapters truly the most effective approach to cultivating these values? Could there be a risk of students perceiving it as a forced imposition? The effectiveness of these inclusions in making a substantial impact stands as a pertinent question.

In this episode, host Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy," Abhishek Bhalla also recount their personal journeys of being introduced to military history. They cite sources like newspapers, movies, and other mediums that played pivotal roles in piquing their interest.

So, in this case, is this academic inclusion enough?

“It should be part of your learning experience rather than your school academic curriculum experience,” Abhishek says. 

Tune in!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Yevgeny Prigozhin, a prominent Russian mercenary chief is reported to have been killed in a private jet crash in Moscow. He was reportedly listed as a passenger in the jet. This crash resulted in the unfortunate demise of all 10 passengers on board, as confirmed by Russian authorities.

The reported passing of Prigozhin, though yet to be definitively confirmed, adds a layer of intrigue given the recent uprising by Wagner forces in June.

The uncertainty surrounding Prigozhin's fate is compounded by a history of incidents where he has allegedly fabricated his own death, with some Russian journalists even suggesting that it’s “the third time he died in a plane crash”. Such speculation has been fueled by the presence of doppelgänger rumors and his previous death hoaxes.

In this episode, host Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy," Abhishek Bhalla delve into the intriguing circumstances surrounding Prigozhin's presumed demise and explore various speculations that have emerged. We address pertinent questions such as: Does it do anything to the Russia-Ukraine war? What happens to Wagner?

Besides, there's curiosity surrounding any potential involvement of Vladimir Putin in these unfolding events, given his administration's history of such mysterious deaths. Could this incident be a deliberate attack, and how might it relate to the broader geopolitical landscape?

Notably, Abhishek says, "There was a precursor to the crash, that the Russian military is actually now taking the Wagner on. These are reports from some US-based think tank. However, these reports seem curiously absent from mainstream media coverage. Abhishek raises an intriguing point: if such a significant development were indeed occurring, why has the Russian government not issued statements regarding their actions against the Wagner group? The absence of headlines on this matter raises eyebrows."

Listen in as we unravel these mysteries.

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Wagner Uprising: Putin Losing Grip Over Russia’s Ukraine War?: https://podcasts.indiatoday.in/politics-&-history/in-our-defence/wagner-uprising-putin-losing-grip-over-russias-ukraine-war-in-our-defence-ep-65-606472-2023-06-29

A brand-new airbase has been established at an incredibly high altitude of over 13,000 feet. This airbase is designed to boost our ability to respond to a more assertive China. It includes fighter aircraft, advanced radars, and upgraded drones, all aimed at improving surveillance in Ladakh.

Named the Nyoma air base, it's the third such facility in Ladakh for fighter aircraft operations. There are already similar bases in Leh and Thoise.

The Nyoma air base's construction has begun, and it's less than 50 kilometers away from the Line of Actual Control (LAC), the border between India and China.

Is this going to make a big difference? Why did India decide to build this airbase now? What series of events have led to the Indian defense establishment to finally take this decision? Will it allow us to reach more targets effectively?  Does it enhance range of striking? Will it be formidable against Chinese aggression?

Listen in!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

It's been four years since the Article 370 & 35A abrogation. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government has celebrated the decision to revoke Jammu and Kashmir's autonomy, terming it a rectification of a "historic blunder" after seven decades.

Yet amidst these claims, a critical question emerges: What substantive changes have truly transpired?

According to the government, data indicates a decline in militancy, reduced local unrest, absence of ceasefire violations, and a decrease in incidents of stone-pelting. The security situation in Jammu and Kashmir has ostensibly improved, with the government attributing this shift to the abrogation of Article 370.

But, how does the decrease in violence and terrorism relate to the abrogation itself?

Join host Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla as they delve into this intricate matter!

The discourse appears to be disproportionately centered on Article 370, sidelining discussions on the transformation of Jammu, Kashmir, and Ladakh into union territories, the duo discuss. 

Is this heightened focus on Article 370 primarily a political strategy aimed at perpetuating a particular narrative?

Is the situation in Kashmir characterized by a complex interplay of security agencies?

Listen in!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

Normalcy vs Burning Kashmir agendas killing truth on the ground: https://www.indiatoday.in/news...

"Article 370 is an extremely emotional issue with the people": https://twitter.com/AbhishekBh...

Earlier this week, communal violence erupted in Haryana, spreading to Gurugram and other areas with reports of vandalism. The clashes in Nuh during a religious procession resulted in six deaths. The violence allegedly stemmed from rumors that a cow vigilante, Monu Manesar, involved in previous killings in Bhiwani, would attend the procession. However, as reported, Manesar did not show up at the event and claimed that he has nothing to do with the violence or the killings.

Another distressing incident involved an RPF constable who shot and killed four people, including his senior officer and three Muslim passengers, on the Mumbai-bound Jaipur-Mumbai Superfast Express near Palghar railway station. The constable, Chetan Kumar, was later arrested by the Government Railway Police, GRP.

These incidents raise concerns about India's internal security mechanism. The lack of police presence during the Haryana clash raises questions about the administration's preparedness and response.

Why was the police not present during the Haryana clash? Is it unrealistic to even expect unbiased policing during such violent times? Why did the administration fail to prevent the planned violence from unfolding?

Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy," Abhishek Bhalla, delve into the role of the police in internal security and why it often comes under scrutiny.  Also, the RPF incident prompts questions about provisions to handle 'mentally challenged' officers and why such an officer was allowed on duty, if that's the case. And do such hate crimes qualify as terror attacks?

Listen in!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

For close to three months now Manipur has been burning. Unfortunately, it was a viral video that sparked outrage across India. The video depicted several men parading and assaulting two Kuki women, sparking widespread condemnation.

But what specific factors led to both state and centre administration's failure to contain the conflict between the Meiteis and the Kukis? Why did it require a viral video to trigger outrage and media attention to the crisis?

And how do internet shutdowns in Manipur and India contribute to concealing the extent of crimes and brutalities?

Is the situation in Manipur so severe that it can only be classified as a civil war now?

Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy," Abhishek Bhalla discuss!

Listen in!

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Listen to our Manipur coverage here: https://bit.ly/44KkpOE