In this episode, Rahul Karan Reddy from ORCA speaks to Dr. Manpreet Sethi on her recently published article titled, ‘China’s Nuclear Build-up: Implications for India’. Dr. Sethi explains the context for the latest developments surrounding China’s nuclear weapons program, detailing the factors that explain China’s decision to enhance the survivability of its nuclear arsenal. Dr. Sethi discusses how the latest developments influence the nuclear posture of other East Asian states like Japan and South Korea, who face an increasingly belligerent North Korea and share apprehensions about China’s military posture. For India, Dr. Sethi argues that the focus ought to be on enhancing conventional capabilities rather than engaging in an action-reaction spiral with China. Click here to read Dr. Sethi’s article mentioned in the podcast.
EP 7: Ratish Mehta on India and the Global Divide in Sanctions against Russian Oil
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In this episode, Omkar Bhole from ORCA speaks with Ratish Mehta on his recently published opinion piece titled “India and the Global Divide in Sanctions against Russian Oil”. Ratish elaborates on the objectives of the sanctions and why differing perceptions exist on the same. The discussion ranges from the impact of the sanctions on India and the global south as well to how China and India have reacted to the sanctions. Ratish observes that India’s position has brought forth a larger dilemma to India’s foreign policy understanding with regard to its attempt of balancing two of its immediate core interests. Click here to access the opinion piece mentioned in the podcast.
Ep 6: Commodore C Uday Bhaskar on India-China Strategic Contestation in The Indian Ocean Region
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In this episode, Omkar Bhole from ORCA speaks with Commodore C Uday Bhaskar on the topic of India-China competition in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Commodore Bhaskar elaborates on China’s assertiveness in IOR as a result of its rising maritime strength. The discussion ranges from China’s growing naval expenditure especially on modernization, to its surveillance ship being docked at Hambantota port in Sri Lanka. Commodore Bhaskar opines that all these developments have created serious security concerns for India and it must act soon to counter China’s maritime challenge in the IOR.
Ep 5: Dr. Jagannath Panda and Dr. Bali Deepak on China’s 20th National Party Congress: Xi Jinping’s Political Future and Policy Implications for China
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In this episode, Dr. Jagannath Panda and Dr. Bali Deepak engage in a discussion on the significance of the 20th National Party Congress for China and the world in ORCA’s 1st Expert Scholars” Dialogue. Both speakers talk about various dynamics of China’s domestic politics and also elaborate on expected personnel changes at the upcoming 20th Party Congress. Dr. Panda and Dr. Deepak bring out possible implications of Party Congress on China’s economy, its foreign policy and on India-China relations, in particular. The issues discussed during this dialogue include BRI, China’s poverty alleviation programme and China’s great power diplomacy among many others.
Ep 4: Omkar Bhole on Chinese Domestic Responses to Pelosi’s Taiwan Visit
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In this episode, Siddhant Nair speaks to ORCA’s Research Associate, Omkar Bhole. They discuss his publication titled “Chinese Domestic Responses to Pelosi’s Taiwan Visit”. Omkar elaborates on how Party officials and leaders have reacted to Pelosi’s visit, highlighting that many have reacted sharply to the visit, sharing their views along with the Party line. He also shows how Chinese citizens have reacted to Pelosi’s visit, pointing out that the Party has had to pacify public pressure to intensify the reunification process with Taiwan and how people want it to be done as quickly as possible. Despite that, China cannot act too quickly in forcefully reunifying Taiwan, as it could antagonize the world and poses a danger to China’s post-pandemic recovery.
Ep 3: Anushka Saxena on Dissecting Chinese Aggression on Taiwan
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In this episode, Siddhant Nair from ORCA speaks to Anushka Saxena on her publication with us titled “Can China Emulate Russian Aggression in Taiwan?”. Elaborating her views on the issue, Ms. Saxena talks about how the US’s response to the Russia-Ukraine war shaped Chinese views on reunification with Taiwan and the global impact of western sanctions on China. She also talks about the historic and political importance of reunification of Taiwan, and how Taiwan and China perceive the “Taiwan issue”. She ends the podcast by giving an insight into what Taiwan’s reunification with China will look like by drawing examples from Hong Kong.
EP 2: Mahima Duggal on Deconstructing China’s Common Prosperity
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In this episode, Ahana Roy from ORCA speaks to Mahima Duggal, about the history of ‘Common Prosperity’ and how it has evolved under the Chinese communist ideology. Ms. Duggal also talks about how Xi has used “Common Prosperity” as a tool to expand his power and influence across China, portraying himself as a “one of the people” against the corruption of the elites. She also expresses her views on what “Common Prosperity” will look like after the 20th Party Congress, should Xi be re-elected for his third term.
EP 1: Jay Maniyar on Middle Powers and Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR)
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In this episode, Ahana Roy of ORCA speaks to Jay Maniyar about the latter’s publication with us on middle powers and maritime security in the IOR. Mr. Maniyar elaborates on what constitutes a middle power, the role Middle Powers can play in an IOR security architecture and how India can enhance its maritime security capabilities to counter China’s IOR geo-economic architecture.