The Let's chat with GB Podcast

From IC 814 to Operation Sindoor, how has India’s response changed? And how should India navigate a world shaped by Pakistan, China and the race for AI?

In this episode of Let’s Chat with GB, Gaurav Bhagat sits down with Ambassador Ajay Bisaria for a conversation about India’s place in a changing world, leadership under pressure and what happens behind the public statements of diplomacy.

Bisaria revisits working with Atal Bihari Vajpayee during the IC 814 hijacking, the difficult choices confronting the government and how his own assessment of those decisions changed over time. He also explains his perspective on India’s evolving response to terrorism, from negotiations and deterrence to Operation Sindoor.

The conversation goes inside his meetings with Imran Khan, his assessment of Pakistan’s army and its influence, and the diplomacy surrounding the Indian pilot’s return during the 2019 India – Pakistan crisis. He also recalls being given 72 hours to leave Pakistan, and why he chose a different departure route from the one the waiting media expected.

Beyond Pakistan, we explore India, China relations, the balance between strategic rivalry and economic engagement, and Bisaria’s concerns about a future in which the US and China dominate AI. The discussion also examines how trade, technology and supply chains can become instruments of geopolitical pressure.

From S. Jaishankar’s diplomatic approach and Sushma Swaraj’s people-focused leadership to India-Canada investment ties and greater Gen Z representation, this episode connects foreign policy with business, leadership and India’s future.

What should be India’s biggest strategic priority over the next decade - China, AI or regional security? Share your thoughts in the comments.

Subscribe to Let’s Chat with GB for more conversations on leadership, business and the ideas shaping our world. Like this episode and share it with someone who follows geopolitics and India’s global journey.

Why are more buyers looking towards India instead of travelling to China for sourcing, and could India become the next major global sourcing hub?

In this episode of Let’s Chat with GB, Gaurav Bhagat sits down with Gaurav Juneja, Director at MEX Exhibitions, for an inside look at the rapidly changing world of exhibitions, sourcing and corporate gifting.

Gaurav shares his journey of entering the family business at just 19 and how MEX Exhibitions went from building its early shows to creating large-scale platforms such as Gifts World Expo.

The conversation explores why sourcing behaviour has changed after COVID, the rise of Indian manufacturing, and why buyers who once travelled to China and Hong Kong are increasingly finding products, suppliers and brands within India.

They also discuss:

* How Gifts World Expo grew from around 80 exhibitors to nearly 800

* Why India is becoming increasingly important for sourcing and manufacturing

* How the corporate gifting industry has evolved beyond Diwali

* The real business behind a three-day exhibition

* How COVID became one of the darkest phases for the exhibition industry

* Why physical exhibitions survived the rise of virtual events

* AI and its growing role in exhibitions and buyer behaviour

* Sustainability and the future of exhibition infrastructure

* What exhibitors get wrong when participating in trade shows

* Why follow-up determines the real ROI of an exhibition

* The future of India's exhibition industry towards 2030

* Lessons in leadership, honesty and building a business for the long term

One of the biggest shifts discussed is localisation after COVID: buyers who previously travelled internationally for sourcing are increasingly discovering that comparable products and manufacturing capabilities are available within India.

The episode also explores the transformation of Indian manufacturing, including high-quality products now being produced not only in major metros but also in cities and manufacturing clusters across the country.

And behind every exhibition that lasts just a few days is years of planning, with major event dates sometimes booked several years ahead and thousands of people involved in bringing a large show to life.

If you're involved in corporate gifting, procurement, sourcing, manufacturing, exhibitions, events, B2B sales or entrepreneurship, this conversation offers a fascinating look at where the industry is headed next.

🎙️ Watch the complete episode of Let’s Chat with GB with Gaurav Juneja.

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#LetsChatWithGB #GauravJuneja #IndiaSourcing #GiftsWorldExpo #ExhibitionIndustry

What happens when AI understands people better than most salespeople do?In this episode of Let’s Chat with GB, Gaurav Bhagat sits down with Amarpreet Kalkat, Founder of Humantic AI, for a deep conversation on Artificial Intelligence, entrepreneurship, buyer psychology, fundraising, the future of sales and what it really takes to build something meaningful.From growing up in Punjab and discovering his fascination with AI long before the current AI boom, Amarpreet shares the journey that eventually led to building Humantic AI — a buyer intelligence platform designed to help businesses understand people, personalities and buying behaviour better.The conversation goes far beyond technology.Amarpreet explains why he believes substance matters more than networking, why founders need to decide whether they are chasing money or meaning, and how raising too much capital can completely change the game for an entrepreneur.Gaurav and Amarpreet also dive deep into some of the biggest questions surrounding AI today:• Are we actually close to AGI?• Is the current AI boom becoming a bubble?• Will AI replace jobs — or completely reshape them?• Is traditional education keeping up with technology?• Could future generations stop needing college degrees?• Will AI make humans more connected — or lonelier?• Why could AI + robotics become one of the biggest opportunities ahead?• Can a one-person billion-dollar company actually happen?• Will AI ever replace the human connection required in sales?• Why will the biggest deals of the future be closed by humans + AI?The episode also explores Amarpreet’s approach to buyer intelligence, why different personalities need different sales approaches, and why understanding your buyer could become one of the biggest competitive advantages in B2B sales.Beyond business and AI, Amarpreet opens up about fitness, discipline, founder stress, pushing your limits and why he believes most people never discover even a fraction of what they are capable of.If you’re an entrepreneur, founder, salesperson, investor, student or simply trying to understand where AI is taking the world, this conversation will give you plenty to think about.🎙️ Watch the full conversation with Amarpreet Kalkat.Subscribe to Let’s Chat with GB for more conversations with entrepreneurs, founders, business leaders and people shaping the future.

What does it really mean to be close to a man millions now call divine?In this deeply personal episode of Let's Chat with GB, Gaurav sits down with someone who was part of Guruji's inner circle for nearly 8 years, right from the early days when only a handful of people knew him. This is not a conversation about miracles or crowds. It's about silence, humility, and the man very few people actually got to know.From the first meeting and the words "let us try," to personal stories of faith, the day Guruji left his physical form, and why today's devotees may be missing what he actually stood for, this episode takes you far beyond what most people think they know about Guruji.In this episode:The first meeting and the early days at Empire StatePersonal miracle stories witnessed firsthandThe day Guruji passed away, and the signs that followedWhy silence was central to knowing himWhat "surrender" and true connection really meantHow celebrations around Guruji have changed over the yearsThe truth behind the "guru of the rich" perceptionGuruji's sense of humor and lesser-known human sideA rapid fire round of memories, rare and personalIf you've ever wondered what Guruji was really like behind closed doors, this conversation is for you.

What does it take to build one of India’s most influential internet companies without chasing hype, vanity valuations or overnight success?

In this powerful conversation, Sanjeev Bikhchandani opens up about his journey from earning a modest first salary to building Info Edge, the company behind Naukri.com, and creating lasting value across India’s startup ecosystem.

He shares the untold realities of entrepreneurship: working for years without a salary, operating from a garage, surviving on teaching assignments, losing most of his savings in the stock market and turning down opportunities that conflicted with his values.

The episode also explores the early days of Naukri.com, its first customer, bootstrapping through uncertainty, choosing the right investors, navigating the dot-com crash and building a business around revenue, profitability and deep customer insight.

Beyond business, Sanjeev reflects on humility, discipline, ethical leadership, people skills, founder red flags, the AI investment cycle and why entrepreneurs must learn to sell their own products.

This is an honest, insightful and deeply human conversation with a leader who remained humble, humane and hungry through every stage of success.

Listen to the full episode for timeless lessons on entrepreneurship, integrity, resilience and building a company that truly makes a difference.

What does love look like in the age of AI? Is marriage changing? And why are so many people feeling lonely despite being more connected than ever?In this episode of Let's Chat with GB, bestselling author Ravinder Singh shares his incredible journey from heartbreak and rejection to becoming one of India's most loved authors and building Let's Socialize, India's largest offline singles community.We explore modern relationships, dating, marriage, AI, resilience, entrepreneurship, and why empathy may be the most valuable skill of the future.In this episode:The future of love & AIWhy dating apps are losing their charmLessons from heartbreak & successBuilding meaningful human connectionsThe story behind I Too Had a Love Story & Let's SocializeIf you're curious about relationships, personal growth, or the future of human connection, this conversation is for you.

What does it take to build a business that dominates an entire industry?

In this episode of Let's Chat With GB, Gaurav Bhagat sits down with Vikas Suri, entrepreneur, hospitality veteran, author, Shark Tank India success story, and the man often called the "Popcorn Man of India."

From being part of the hospitality world with The Oberoi, helping scale Wimpy's during India's early fast-food revolution, working in the United States with global restaurant brands, building a near-monopoly in cinema popcorn equipment, and successfully raising investment on Shark Tank India, Vikas shares four decades of hard-earned business wisdom.

In this candid conversation, we discuss:

• The rise and fall of Wimpy in India

• What makes restaurants succeed (and why many fail)

• Lessons from scaling businesses across industries

• The realities of Shark Tank India behind the scenes

• Sales, negotiation, and entrepreneurial resilience

• Quick commerce, e-commerce, and the future of retail

• Why founders should sell what customers want—not just what they love

• The power of focus, customer experience, and operational excellence

• Building Popcorn & Co. and becoming a category leader

• Restaurant trends, hospitality insights, and business growth strategies

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:

"You should sell what is saleable, not what you love selling."

Whether you're a startup founder, restaurant owner, entrepreneur, sales professional, or someone looking for practical business insights, this episode is packed with real-world lessons, stories, and strategies that can help you grow.

What does it really take to transform systems, improve education, build institutions, and lead with integrity?In this insightful episode of Let’s Chat with GB, Gaurav Bhagat sits down with Gauri Kumar, former IAS officer, education reformer, policy strategist, and entrepreneur for a powerful conversation on leadership, governance, execution, education reform, entrepreneurship, and India’s future.From studying at Harvard to leading major institutional transformations in India, Gauri Kumar shares practical lessons on how visionary leadership, empowered teams, and long-term thinking create real impact.The conversation explores:• Leadership and execution in large institutions• Building systems that create long-term change• Challenges in India’s education ecosystem• Why schools produce exam takers instead of problem solvers• The future of AI and technology in education• Entrepreneurship, bootstrapping, and sustainable startups• Why long-term thinking matters more than hypeShe also shares insights from transforming NIFT into a globally respected institution, improving curriculum systems, reducing bias in interviews, and strengthening industry integration.This episode is a masterclass on leadership, systems thinking, education, entrepreneurship, and creating meaningful long-term impact.

What does it truly mean to serve a nation?

In this powerful episode of Let’s Chat with GB, we sit down with one of India’s bravest officers DIG BSF N.N.D. Dubey, a man who faced bullets head-on in Kashmir, led critical counter-terror operations, and was honored by the President of India for his extraordinary courage.

This is not just a conversation.
It’s a raw, unfiltered look into the life of a soldier who has seen war up close.

In this episode, we explore:

• The reality of terrorism in Kashmir and how it operates on the ground
• The gripping story behind the operation that eliminated Ghazi Baba
• How modern warfare has evolved from physical combat to technology-driven battles
• India-Pakistan relations: history, tensions, and hard truths
• The emotional and human cost of serving in conflict zones
• Why today’s world feels both exciting and deeply uncertain

This episode goes beyond war.
It’s about courage, leadership, resilience, and perspective.

In this powerful episode of Let’s Chat with GB, we sit down with Satyajit Hange, co-founder of Two Brothers Organic Farms, to uncover the shocking truth about what we eat every day.

Are we really eating food… or chemicals?

From the rising farmer crisis in India to the hidden dangers of pesticides and chemicals in food, this conversation dives deep into the reality of modern agriculture. Satyajit shares his journey from a corporate banking career to building a ₹200+ crore organic farming business, all while helping thousands of farmers shift towards sustainable farming.

We also break down:

The truth about organic food vs processed food

Why chemical farming is harming your health

The real reason behind increasing cancer and lifestyle diseases

How healthy eating habits can transform your life

Why farmers in India are still struggling despite feeding the nation

If you care about your health, your food, and the future of farming, this episode is a must-watch.