THE ART OF USA'S DEALS WITH IRAN AND INDIA / GoodMorningIndia

Added: 2026-05-24

[00:00:20]Good morning India and welcome to Ghana short. We're going to discuss the art of the deals which USA is doing with India and Iran. And to discuss all this with me today is Shrier G. Good morning Shria G. Welcome namaskarum.

[00:00:38]Good morning. Namaskarum sir.

[00:00:40]>> Yeah. And you know before we go ahead I just want to put the context in which I'm speaking and uh I must explain you know where we were you know Mr. and we I had decided that we'll do after all uh Marco Rubio is in Delhi and we'll discuss qu and all the other things but early in the morning I saw this you know tweet out of Trump's uh handle which said the we near the deal and all that and I was as I was thinking and going around so what came to my mind was this cartoon which I saw you know this cartoon here which is on the left is the one which is by Satish Achara, renowned uh cartoon artists in India and I thought it was very appropriate right yeah India is wants a deal I mean we want to be going well with USA and here you have this trapeze artist coming and doing whatever he's done and now Rubio has come and you know he's trying to push us into this whole story in some manner okay on the other hand then I said yeah look the let's look at the flip flip of the story and the flip of the story is very simple. the the deal is somewhere near on but whatever deal Iran does he will not go by it let's be very clear the Iran nuclear deal or whatever the deal you call it will not you we should be prepared for any outcome and in any outcome even if there's a deal Iran will in all probability back out of it at some point of time I thought these were the two things which we need to discuss and the various shades of this your opening views on this G over to you.

[00:02:26]>> Thank you so much sir. Good morning India and I I've been looking at various uh news outputs that have been coming out. Uh clearly US thinks that the Hormus trait is going to be free for everybody and I was just looking at the number of ships passing through the Hormus straight because the proof of the pudding is in its eating and latest number I got was 35 in the last 24 hours. 35. So some opening has happened.

[00:02:55]At the same time Iran says that no you know straits of Ormos are still under discussion and channel 14 from Israel has given a slightly different view.

[00:03:06]They have said that United States has got all the deals concessions it wants from them. uh in two months time you're supposed to figure out where to take the enrich uranium what to do with the enriched uranium how to downrich it in case it's needed or also to move it to another country and that's where it has been left and Iran gets nothing from this it needs to keep up the so there is a good behavior dividend for Iran they've got one $500 million tranch finally into their central bank and the second one will come if they again adhere to some rules. Couple of trigger-happy IRGC commanders shot some things and they have been severely deprecated and disciplined and looks like 10 USPS is there. At least the they're not shooting at each other. So that's where things stand and there was a false alarm that Iran bombed UAE that was a false alarm that nothing happened of that nature. You some of you may have said seen seen this also viewers I want to set all the context. So essentially what I think Trump's going to do is there I won it. See even when he had no role he claimed that he had a role in stopping India and Pakistan. Here he has actually had a role. Imagine the heights to which he's going to try and climb. So th this is where we we stand right now.

[00:04:27]Um on the ground at least not too much shooting. At the same time US has now moved to 100 nautical miles from where they were when they started the blockade. Just think of it like move out. Uh that's that's where things stand. I'm sure US feels pretty confident that even if somebody tries to sneak in or out, they'll be able to catch it. So that's where things stand, sir. Over to you.

[00:04:51]>> Yeah. So on the ground, yes, there is some easing up because that's part of the confidence building measure and um let's look at it. you know the you know a deal is something which has to uh you know one has to see through the whole thing because the you know uh in this entire story for the past one year one and a half years the Mayan who's actually done a lot of uh I won't say damage yeah he done a lot of damage to international relations and the global situation is Mr. Trump and that's why I got the trapeze artist thing. We don't know what he's going to say. We don't one can't be sure of what he's talking and on the other hand Iran is a I would put it a serial liar. You can't rely on Iran, right? The way it's going about doing its things. So you have a set of two people who are not used to sticking to words but yet on ground there's some seems to be something happening and but with the danger of always a snapback right like all things I prefer to do the formal way I'll go over it formally so that people understand what the nuances of the whole thing are first we'll discuss the uh Iran and US deal where it is, how it is going, what are the views because certain other issues are coming up which need to be understood and these will impact many things worldwide. Okay. And this of course like I said this is a thing the Iran is very clear I'm very clear that they will go back on their word at some point of time unless the whole thing is sweetened. If it is sweetened they'll stay the course. Okay.

[00:06:37]So uh today morning I saw this first thing in the morning agreement largely negotiated and he put out a big thing about it and a big write up. Two things in this writeup caught my eye which I must put it. First he's thanked so many people in this if you see he's thanked you know minister alawani of kqatar and field marshal syad aim ahmed sha of Pakistan and president. So now you see this field marshall has been elevated to the role you know in in in the ethereal band of heads of stateashar is nowhere to be seen of course that president that bhau chap is zardari is also no nowhere so it is the field marshall now look at it I'm now digressing but I'll make this point now this is the stepping stone for aim to become the president of Pakistan. He'll be the president and chief of staff just like chief of army staff. He'll not let go. He he'll be president and chief of defense staff I'm sure by the end of this year with the with the backing of Trump. If this deal comes through the carrot in front of Aimir is very clear and that has major implications for India. So this is something which I thought I will put across the tenor of this whole story is this now what are the repercussions and all that maybe one of these days we'll discuss right and what happens to Pakistan in that case also we need to discuss and I will discuss it as we go along not today some other day because that's a whole topic of by itself and then the last part of course is interesting he says and I I mean that's the me to the topic.

[00:08:35]He says an agreement has largely been negotiated subject to finalization between the United States of America, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the various other countries as listed. Now he says separately, I had a call with Prime Minister uh BB Netanyahu of Israel which also likewise went very well.

[00:08:55]Final aspects and details of the deal are currently being discussed and will be announced shortly in addition to many other elements of the agreement. The straight of hormones will be opened.

[00:09:06]Thank you for your attention. But what is missing in this? What happens to the nuclear enriched nuclear thing that he's not mentioned? So the sticking point is somewhere there the straight of hormones opening like Shi said something has happened fine. So be that as it may, you're looking at two things which we need to focus on. Okay. Now uh New York Times has said that look Iran war live updates with they said Trump says peace deal is near. They've reported. So uh whatever Mr. Trump has said he's been confirmed by New York Times and now a update of this just before the podcast started when I saw it says look Trump says peace deal is near but there are no details of it now that's what New York Times has upgraded but they've also said that Iran has agreed to give up enriched uranium in deal announced by Trump so this is what Trump has said uh you know and all this is after that earlier one after this headline you see in the New York Times it has this has come so there is some movement what is that deal how will it be we don't know unless Iran gets lot of money lot of the of sanctions lot of everything they'll not agree and if they do let me tell you let me let to be very frank if this happens it'll be the biggest victory for USA if Iran agrees to give up its enriched fuel thing and you know some moritarium and if that fuel moves out or even if there's a deal on you know a monitored whole story and if Iran comes out of sanctions and it rejoins and there's some deal which is worked out on the straight of hormones authority which will come in and others in the Gulf work then let's hand it to Mr. Trump, he's won the day. And then you'll see China and Russia running in C circles. I'm saying this because Iran has had this habit of switching to the west when when a carrot is offered in all the 50 years. And I think I did this once before in one of my podcasts where I explained and maybe one of these days I'll go back into history and explain this to you. So that's there, right? But the provisio is will Iran agree? Okay. Now this is what Rubio said you know in Delhi >> may be news later today. I don't have news for you at this very moment but there might be some news a little later today. There may not be. I hope there will be but I'm not sure yet.

[00:11:54]>> The question is about the Iranian issue and as I said there's been some progress done some progress made. Even as I speak to you now there's some work being done.

[00:12:02]There is a chance that whether it's later today, tomorrow, in a couple days, we may have something to say. But this issue needs to be solved as the president has said one way or the other.

[00:12:10]Iran can never have a nuclear weapon.

[00:12:12]The straits need to be open without tolls. So the fundamental thing which he said this deal can be done today, tomorrow and a couple of days. And he said two points. The strait needs to be open and Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. So there's a difference between Iran not having a nuclear weapon or retaining its enriched uranium.

[00:12:32]Right. So now this he said yesterday evening in Delhi and today morning that is so there is something happening and I hope something happens and I do hope Iran sees the light of the day. If that happens then you're looking at a massive massive change in this whole story. So let's see where this goes. But at the end of the day I will still say you can't trust Iran. You can't trust Iran for a long time to come. So I'm sure the US people also know about it and it's going to be a measured approach and we'll discuss what it means for India and everything as we go down the line and the details of the thing are clear.

[00:13:16]>> Okay.

[00:13:18]Now, simultaneously when all this has been happening yesterday evening, Pete Hexit uh was in their FOC their army academy.

[00:13:30]Okay. And he was speaking to the cadetses on their passing out. What did he say there? See, he says, "We've asked our airborne and rapid reaction forces to deploy at a moment's notice to the Middle East, standing as an iron shield to protect American bases and American lives from Iranian proxies. This includes army, American army units using HIMAR to help sink Iranian navy. I know the army loves sinking the navy. That's the only navy you're currently allowed to sink.

[00:14:01]So he's talking to the army and he said look I'm I might deploy you deploy you any time. So there's a you know it's a stereo message coming out. So you see that Trump is saying something from Washington Marco Rubio in Delhi and this man from wherever that wherever he's gone to address. I couldn't get that place exactly. He's talking. So these >> West Point sir West Point West Point >> I don't I don't know whether it's West Point or not. I don't remember anyway but he's made this statement and it's come out very clearly. So you see this thing coming out a messaging of hard options and a soft option. Okay. Now the thing which concerns me and concerns all of us is okay fine you'll reach a deal you'll deal you'll reach a deal or not reach a deal. It doesn't matter as much in terms of uh what shall I say how our fortunes go because we are good with uh south of the hormone straight and north of the hormone straight we are good as India but what I need to worry is what Pakistan and Rubio before he left USA has said look the primary interlutor on Iran has been Pakistan and continues to be so a field marshall is traveling to Iran soon. He said this as the chap was traveling and we are in constant communication with him at the highest levels of government. Pakistan is mediating a war defending Saudi from look at this he says it's defending Saudi from Iran and hosting US Iran talk simultaneously busiest country in the room.

[00:15:44]Now the point is this again you connect with what Trump has said about Pakistan.

[00:15:49]So you'll see Pakistan has come into the picture and this is at a time when Shabba Sharif is in China. He's gone to China and this is a follow-up visit of what we had discussed last week when uh you know there that fellow Zardari was also in China for a week this now again Shabbah Shar has gone to China for a why is he doing it right and at a time when you know Aimun is likely to become the uh president of Pakistan I'm naming it you know the way things are going that's the next thing either he becomes the president of Pakistan or gets a Nobel Prize price one of the two right Nobel prize Trump will not give him so he'll say you become the president and if he becomes the president what happens to Pakistan and how things are going we'll discuss that maybe on a a separate episode and this is something which has come out from Mo Zada I'm talking I look I'm interwining the action in of Pakistan also we have to watch Pakistan steps what is it up to now he's had a mo pir had an interaction with Ryan Grim. And who's Ryan Grim? He's the guy who has drop site in which that you know news thing came out about that leaked memo and all that. And uh Ryan Grim says Asimun is busy is fulfilling every wish of Trump in order to save his illegitimate rule of power. The same flattery and obedience has made him Trump's favorite field marshal. Actually Trump considers Aimuner as no more than people who polish as boots. Nothing beyond that. But that's fine. That's a Trump might have his own view and he might be using Aim. There's no doubt.

[00:17:33]And a very important point which has come out in this discussion is and this whole story if you goes through it is assim Trump has used uh aim who is who doesn't have political ves of international variety he's not used a politician to do things of course Shabbash Sharif I don't consider him a politician he's he's a lackey of aim so a guy a politician like you know Imran Khan or Maybe even Zardari wouldn't have agreed to the terms and conditions that Trump has put. But Aimonir is doing it.

[00:18:11]He Asimir is a favorite, not only the favorite field marshal, he's the favorite lap dog of Trump. So where this equation is going, we one has to be very clear about this story. and Shabbash Sharif before anything else you know there are always you know street dogs always you know keep barking so he is one of them even before anything has happened he has given his congratulations from uh you know uh beijing he says I congratulate President Trump on his extraordinary effort to pursue peace holding talks yo all that and you know field marsh Say aimun represented Pakistan on the telephone call. So in that call which Trump has done with all leaders was also there.

[00:19:06]Shabas Sharif was not there. Aimunir was there. Asimir is sitting in Thran. And you know this whole story is going. It's interesting to see where this entire episode is going. And but look at the reaction from Iran. What has Iran said?

[00:19:23]Very intriguing.

[00:19:25]Okay. We are very we are both very far from and very close to an agreement.

[00:19:33]Okay. And the views have become closer but not to the point of an agreement rather to the point where we may be able to reach a solution. They're still playing their cards close to the chest.

[00:19:48]Don't go by what Israel is talking completely because Israel news will give news which suits them and you know they're bit of an on a bit of an extreme. All news which comes from Israel on these issues is you cannot take them at their face value. So you see there's a bit of a daylight between the cup and the lips.

[00:20:11]It's not done. It's not a done deal. Now immediately about about an hour before this about this this uh about maybe this whole story is about a couple of hours before our podcast. Institute for the study of war which keeps analyzing all wars which is an American uh you know Pentagon backed or you know the American establishmentbacked think tank which they put out and they put out a lot of things. He says Iran emphasized in the proposal that the state of Hormuz will remain under some form of Iranian control and Iran will not continue negotiations if the United States does not end its blockade of Iranian ports and ships. The maximalist terms in the proposal indicate that Iran the Iran's regime believes it is negotiating from a position of strength due to its victory in the war. Even they have not spoken of the nuclear enrichment. So there is an issue here we have to understand.

[00:21:12]Now now comes the twist which is happening in American politics. Lince Graham on the same at the same timeline.

[00:21:20]He says right, he says if a deal is struck to the end to end the Iranian conflict because it is believed that state of Hormos cannot be protected from Iranian terrorism and Iran will possess the capability to destroy major Gulf oil infrastructure, then Iran will be perceived as being a dominant force requiring a diplomatic solution and the combination of Iran being perceived as having the ability to terrorize the strait in perpetuity and the ability to inflict massive damage of to Gulf oil infrastructure is a major shift of balance of power in the region and over time it'll be a nightmare for Israel.

[00:22:03]It makes one wonder why the war started to begin with if these perceptions are accurate.

[00:22:11]I am personally I personally am a skeptic of the idea that Iran cannot be denied the ability to terrorize the strait and the region cannot protect itself against Iranian military. So now Lencia Graham coming out with this kind of a thing and following up on what the congressional hearing which happened some time back is something which one has to think where is the where is the American establishment are they on the same page or on different pages.

[00:22:42]You might have Trump pushing his deal, this deal through in some form or the other, but will it have will it have public uh acceptance? One. Two, will it have political acceptance to the third?

[00:22:56]Will it have political acceptance within the Republican party is the thing to be seen. So you might see a case where at the end of the day, Trump might be the casualty of this war.

[00:23:12]Right? It is just not a simple deal. I I this is what I thought. Mike Pompio Mike Pompia was the secretary of state. He thinks well. Let me tell you, Mike Pompio has got a got brains, right? He sees the deal being floated with Iran seems straight of the Wendy Sherman, Robert Melly, Ben Roads playbook. Pay the IRGC to build a WMD program and terrorize the world. This is a new angle.

[00:23:42]This is a new angle actually right so it is something of a extension of what Obama was doing probably unsuccessfully now there's a new angle he's brought up not remotely America first it's straightforward open the damn straight deny Iran access to money take out Iranian capabilities so that it cannot threaten our alies in the region overdue let's go So this is the lobby which says war and all that. So if you see there is a glimmer of a hope that deal will come through.

[00:24:20]There is reticence which is coming through from Iran and there is internal fishes within America which will come and it'll come.

[00:24:31]It's not that it will not come in Iran.

[00:24:32]Even Iran I foresee it because a war of this nature which has been so fractious and so uh what shall I say dividing which doesn't have popular support in America it doesn't have popular support in Iran also and it has got no popular support from anyone why this war was fought one has to question so the politics of this whole story will change after this but having said that uh I've said a But your views and your overview of this energy because you simple things sir >> please.

[00:25:09]>> Yeah. Simple thing sir. Lindsey Graham is a neocon. Let's neoon and his his constituency South Carolina is the biggest military segments of United States is all there. I think one in four is work with or around this military ecosystem. He's always going to want war war. Warmonger of the highest order. Plus neo another neocon you have BB Netanyahu. BB Netanyahu studied in Philadelphia. He used to hang out with the neocon movement founder Crystal Irving Crystal and I think Billy Crystal if I remember K R I S T O L viewers you can look it up.

[00:25:46]>> Okay. So this is where his formative ideas were formed. BB Netanyahu. So these two are neocons. As far as Mike Pompeo is concerned, he has been kind of dinged a little bit by Trump when he said that Trump is not going to hire Nikki Haley or Mike Pompeo at the beginning of this term and and Mike Pompio may be still harboring ambitions to run for 2028. His best chance was in 2024. Unfortunately, he could not raise the funding. See, it all came down to that because in 2024, Trump wasn't as strong as now. he's gotten elected and and either that or people still felt Trump was the best candidate to win. He couldn't make it. So 2028 now that Trump will be out of the picture, maybe Mike Pompeo fancies his chances that he could run for president. So now you are seeing Mike Pompeo um you have uh JD Vance and you have Marco Rubio. So you can see the Republican field shape up. I don't know who the Democrat is but always we need to keep this in mind when they say something. What is the thing they are having at the back of their mind?

[00:26:47]Remember JD Vance is taking a more pacifist stance. Why? Why is JD Vance taking a more you know pacifist don't go attack them again. So because if the proverbial excrement hits the rotating mechanism fixed to the ceiling he doesn't want to be taken that at least he wants to have an umbrella saying that look I told you so. Back to you sir.

[00:27:10]>> Yeah that's interesting. That's a very interesting perspective on the internal politics of America. This has to be seen against the you know the larger like I said there are three aspects to this within America. One is you know the Trump administration and its viability and it you know uh I will put it this way the the people in America are not interested in this war.

[00:27:37]That's very clear >> there no no no backing whether it's America whether it's Republican or Democrats. Democrats are completely against this war. Even the Republicans are not fully because that's why he's not got full backing from the Republicans and one can see a moment within America where the Republicans are pulling out of the Trump. They're also ensuring themselves against what's going to happen in this presidency.

[00:28:03]I think the Republicans have started looking forward and of course what you're saying the president's race that's a different story. uh yeah whether it's neocons or not neocons or whatever whether it is a presidential race or something there is a segment now within Republican party which is not completely aligned with what the way Trump is thinking and yet mind you this is early days because the deal is not done whenever the deal is done it'll be discussed and two things are very clear the state has to open second that nuclear enrichment issue will be discussed. We'll discuss it as we go along. Like I said, Iran continues to be reticent and Trump has spoken to everyone. Very interestingly, Trump spoke to all the Gulf leaders and Pakistan, but he didn't speak to Netanyahu. He spoke to Natanu separately.

[00:28:58]So, there are various shades in all this, right? And like I said from the first day of the war, it doesn't matter to me which side who wins or loses. It doesn't matter for us in India. We will have to see which if which side is deemed to be the winner at the end of this. How will things shape up? How will things shape up beyond thing? And I see if you know if Trump if Trump perceives himself to be a winner we'll handle everything everything else will come Pakistan will be the problem for us because Pakistan then you're going to have a president Aim Munir. Let me be very clear that's where it is. So I thought I will put all this across. We are at an interesting point of time. Uh any final thoughts before we go to the Rubio show? So let's let's play this thing out. So this guy becomes the president. Aim becomes the president.

[00:30:01]How do things change in Pakistan? It's just that he doesn't have to have that formality of having the current person prime minister you know appoint the next chief which he is now actually appointed himself for life. I think so Marshall believed to be for life. Be that as it may, I mean it's just a official change in name but he's actually the president right now. He is a working president. So >> no no no no no no sir I you have to look beyond this. You see then he has the entire polity with him. He is a sole deciding agent and he will have Iran on his side right. So his back is covered.

[00:30:44]He will have Saudi APR. Please read Trump's statement that Pakistan is defending Saudi Arabia and you will have Trump behind uh Pakistan. So the game changes the game changes for India and if all this happens then the equation between Pakistan and China has to be monitored closely and that's why I said look uh 15 days back as if Zardari was there in uh you know China for a week now Shabbash Sharif is there for a week and we know that drop site leak which came out you know it's actually Pakistan is going to be a great conundrum and which we need to discuss. So nothing changes? No, I don't think so.

[00:31:34]Everything changes. And we to go back to the time when Zahulak had the same stature. You had to go back to the time and persuas Mosher also had the same stature uh you know stature as a president and chief of uh you know army staff. No. And whenever this happens whenever this convergence between president and chief of army staff happens in Pakistan Pakistan goes rogue.

[00:31:59]And now it's a convergence with this chief of defense staff. So and you're looking at a unstable Pakistan which is on doldrums in financially it is in dold drums. We'll discuss this. So we'll discuss that separately. That's a different topic. The shape of Pakistan as it comes up and what this man will do. Uh we'll see we'll talk of that separately. Uh I thought I'll clarify that so that uh we don't we don't underestimate this whole story. And then you have to also see what is our equation with USA very seriously if this thing happens because it affects us. So there are a lot of things which are going to happen.

[00:32:38]Uh if you have anything further to add we're okay otherwise I'll >> no I I'm done sir we can have questions now.

[00:32:45]>> Yeah. No we'll go to you know uh this the second part of the story.

[00:32:52]>> Okay. Okay. Okay. Now we'll go to the thing that Rubio is here and we'll talk of it because that's also important both are going simultaneously. Um right and uh yeah okay now the fact is yesterday ever since you know this whole story that Marco Rubio was coming to India and he came and all that now as per Sergio Gore India US relationship was on solid footing there is incredible potential ahead and all that. So is it so that's a question which comes to my mind and that's something which we have to really work on and you know he's also said we had a phenomenal meeting with the prime minister this after Marco Rubio met with the prime minister I'm not going to talk of Marco Rubio going to Kolkata and all that is uh irrelevant at this point of time it's a relationship we deeply care about it's a relationship that is growing secretary opened a brand new building right here that's fine That's a partnership we are continuing to grow.

[00:33:53]We have our quad meeting which will take place today. Since I've arrived here a few months ago, we've had a settled our trade deal. India has joined Paxilica.

[00:34:02]So the three things he's highlighted trade deal, Paxilica and the quad. Okay.

[00:34:08]What he's talked of is the rest of the thing. What is not spoken of is the rest of the things. And this is what Marco Rubio had to say when he came here.

[00:34:18]Okay. This is >> that is the relationship between the president and the prime minister. It's a personal relationship that dates back to the first administration when the president had a chance to visit here and it has carried over into this second administration. Um and you can just see the connection between them and I think that's incredibly important. It is the connection between leaders is incredibly important. So he's now spoken about you know the uh great relationship between uh India and USA and the relationship between the leaders and it's incredible and all that. So beyond that he had nothing to say okay in this clip and then look at >> it is this relationship between our two countries is at the cornerstone of our approach to the Indoacific.

[00:35:05]A lot of people aren't aware of this or you know but I was sworn in as secretary of state on Tuesday or Wednesday. It was a Tuesday after the inauguration within the hour I was at the state department spoke briefly as is tradition in the lobby of that building to our staff and then went immediately upstairs to the eighth floor and my first meeting my very first meeting officially as secretary of state was a meeting of the quad and we were going to renew that. We did it again last year in a second in a different setting and we're and we chose to do it here. We wanted to do it here not just because of our commitment to that structure of work but also as a tangible sign of what an important role India plays in the United States and in our posture and in our approach to the endopacific.

[00:35:47]So he's talked now he now he's talking of the Indo-Pacific and he's talking about CO and for the past two years after that first meeting it it it just vanished right he's now come back to court and he and coming here he's just not spoken about Iran so it is as if you know the two separate stages two separate things happening so why is he come here that's a question which I ask myself okay and this is sadam dum He's based in US. He writes for Carnegi and all that. But hear him. He's put out certain interesting things and uh you know one has to see the issues which is pointing out. Let's hear him. US India relationship has been buffeted by multiple winds over the past year or so.

[00:36:38]Uh I think the first shock came in the form of the uh US announcing the ceasefire between India and Pakistan after operation Zindur and after the 4-day conflict uh in May last year. I think that came as a jolt. Uh I think the fact that uh President Trump repeatedly took credit publicly which was directly at odds with the Indian position uh caused some embarrassment to the government and some consternation.

[00:37:03]uh I think the tariffs that India was expecting to be quite favorable to it compared to other countries but India ended up being hit by some of the highest tariffs in the world 25% to start with and then another 25% that was added on uh as punitive tariffs as a kind of punishment for India for buying oil from Russia and many people in India pointed out rightly in my view that uh the president did not impose similar tariffs on China which was also importing large amounts of energy from Russia. So that was another thing. Some of the comments that came out from from the Trump cabinet, some of the kind of language that they used was viewed as disparaging in India. The fact that the quad summit which was supposed to have been held last year and President Trump was supposed to have visited India because India was to be the host uh did not happen. Um and then finally the fact that uh it seems like the US or at least certain elements in this administration including the president himself um are not very clear whether uh they intend to pursue strategic competition with China in the way previous administrations have including the previous Trump administration. So if you take all of these things together and of course the last one in a really uh uh on the on the Pakistan front was not just was not just Trump taking credit for ending the conflict but also what has become apparently quite a close relationship between President Trump and field martial in Pakistan. So if you take all of these things together I think it has sort of come as a surprise and uh and an unpleasant surprise to many people in India and that has affected the quality of the relationship.

[00:38:39]>> Yeah. So he's raised a lot of issues is quite self-explanatory but I want to move on and you know take take you on to a different story.

[00:38:50]>> Look he's expressed something now what are people thinking here? What are people thinking in certain editorials have come out two stand out one is by Prattab Banu Ma. He says today India and US interests are not easily aligned. Let's confront this. Very important thing. Our interests are not aligned.

[00:39:12]We should have no doubts about it. What US interests are and what Indian interests are have changed and they've changed hugely and that is explained. I mean I'm not going to go into what Prattaban has said because he's spoken a lot of sense. I those of you who want to please read this article. I I'm flashing it because I've been saying now for the past six seven months maybe maybe even more that we need a third way and the third way is opening and the third way is through UAE the third way is through the Nordic countries which our prime minister has shown Italy EU France Germany Japan Brazil and maybe more will come maybe even Saudi Arabia will jump into this bandwagon it the third way is through holding our neighborhood together which so far we've done very well. So the third way is the thing and the third way and the change within our own system the political strength of India right changes many things what's happened around Bangladesh what's happened around the the BJP taking over states if you look at it all the states surrounding Bangladesh are now BJP which puts tremendous strain on Bangladesh not only on Bangladesh it changes the equation for Pakistan Pakistan uh you know it changes the thing for Pakistan, China and USA. So the equations are changing. So our interests are no more aligned. That's a fundamental thing.

[00:40:53]It's not only there's nothing what is common interest strategic in interest.

[00:40:58]And then of course Samir Saran wrote this excellent article. He says the fault line in India US ties America doesn't understand equal. America wants an unequal relationship and India is no more interested in being unequal right and this is something which the Americans don't seem to understand and if the Americans don't seem to understand this is going nowhere this relationship okay does it stop there no this is something which I just got I in the morning when I was reading is this is a New York Times article which has come It says Trump's pursuit of a partnership with China raises concerns in India. Of course, it raises concerns and yesterday I discussed this. Can India go with China? I'm now taking this to a different level of thinking.

[00:41:55]Okay, this is is this uh and you have to start thinking very seriously.

[00:42:02]If Trump and uh Zinping or Zinping and Putin and Putin and Trump have come to a cozy arrangement, what does India do?

[00:42:13]Does India go with China or does India go with USA? And these are cartoons which are coming out which have come out in our press both these and look people who write these cartoons are reflect something.

[00:42:28]It's not my thinking or Shria's thinking. It is the thinking of someone.

[00:42:34]So in this kind of a setting what does India do? That's a bigger question which I have to ask myself.

[00:42:41]When I say myself, India has to ask itself and where does India go from here.

[00:42:48]Does it stop here? You know this voice is from USA. Uh Bill Drexel what does he say in learn overarning the lessons of China Washington seek risks squandering the most important relationship it needs to counter China Rubio's trip to India should begin from that premise and he's written an article worth it he says India will never become another China and you have to and USA has to deal with this fact USA and many people think India India will be the next China. India is not the alternative to China in this world and I've been saying India the worst fate which can befall India is to become another China.

[00:43:36]Of course it will not happen because of our polity, because of our structure, because of our position. There's so many differences between India and China that you know uh we can never become another China. We'll never be that major industrial hub or manufacturing hub with China is let China do its job.

[00:43:56]We need to do something else. So we have to discuss this part of the story within and see where does India find its balance in this kind of a new setup. And I find in this whole story there are issues which we have to think in this India USA relationship.

[00:44:14]Now this is a RF survey which has come out. Interesting with what does it say? Now the support to US is declining in India.

[00:44:29]Now in in 24 this is very interesting and this is something which people have to start really looking at very seriously.

[00:44:40]In 24 the Indian support to USA was 83%.

[00:44:46]25 it is 56%.

[00:44:49]And now I'm sure it's down.

[00:44:52]From 25 to now it would be down to the 30th or in the major minority. So the people the youth of India are no more no more consider US as the country to go to.

[00:45:08]Right. Right. At least 71% of the respondents were concerned. This is based on a survey are concerned about predictability of the unpredictability of the US and saw Russia and Japan becoming leading partners in the next 10 years. So if Russia that's that's why India has to open a third way. So if India has to open a third way or the fourth way or another way whichever way you look at it then what is the equation between India and USA going to be?

[00:45:38]And then he says if if this doesn't alarm the state department nothing will.

[00:45:45]But then US depart diplomats have never truly appreciated the pro-American tilt of the most regular Indians or treated it as a strategic assert to be nurtured.

[00:45:58]They would rather spend energy trying to charm the fuming crowds in Pakistan who attack the US embassies and consulates always at the behest of the Pakistan army.

[00:46:09]This is the contradiction we face and this is the contradiction which America is refusing to understand because if Pakistan is the first go-to person then there is a problem for the way India perceives USA and this is playing out and okay of course he has given he's given out this uh uh thing out huge tanks and all that and uh the interesting thing is India has committed purchasing $500 billion goods in from USA. He's spoken of investment of $20 billion which we have promised to USA.

[00:46:51]What is USA promising us promising us so far? Nothing.

[00:46:57]USA needs India for its you know Indo-acific thing. USA needs India to be part of the court and the court is useless today. Right? It is more Japan and Japan and Australia want the cord going because they cannot rely on USA.

[00:47:13]They want India around. If they don't have India around there, they're worried. And this is something which I've got from lot of Australian people.

[00:47:20]He says what happens to us then? What happens to you? Hang on to USA. Right?

[00:47:26]So if you see the some look at this, look at the poor behavior of Trump and his people. the way they spoken about India disparagingly.

[00:47:36]You see the attacks against Indians you know I'm sure I mean you we all know about what we're talking look at the immigration problems which are being created the latest immigration law it's going to affect 78,000 people as per New York Times or Washington Post one of the two look at their behavior during OP synindor look at the way USA is you know getting Pakistan on look at that delivery of engines for which we have paid they're coming slowly in trickles.

[00:48:11]So all this thing of you know US India relationship defense and all that is actually with the defense which is the best platform to build US India relationship is being uh you know wasted away. Ultimately the question then comes what does India get out of this whole deal and you know and these are some things which pres is has Marco Rubio addressed either publicly or privately I'd like to know or the indications so far are no is USA taking it taking India for granted that India has no choice well let's see how to handle that because the biggest mistake USA will do is to take India for granted on these issues I have no doubt because in if you see in the past 2 years or not even two years for the past 3 four years in the end of Biden's administration to now one thing is sure that what USA wants from India we are not clear there's a lot of flip-flop and they are very clear that they'll give India thing overall. So we have to rethink this relationship and much of what how we have to rethink this relationship will depend on the outcome of the Iran war. Yes. And it'll also depend on what Marco Rubio says and goes and we'll see how things go forward.

[00:49:43]Sir, your views. I'm sure you have different views on this and you could dilate on whatever it is. I have no problem. Over to you.

[00:49:50]>> Thank you sir. India has a lot of challenges. Recently we saw one Taiwan politician trying to run down the Indians working in Taiwan. So these are all you know irritants being put in the way perhaps at the going of China. If Taiwan has never really acted like this before then you had one of the opposition parties you know chairman going to China on a visit. So something is cooking there. China thinks that they can probably politically talk over into merging with uh China. So be that as it may would how would that affect India?

[00:50:28]Yes, it would affect India because if Taiwan goes China away then China will start dictating whether India can manufacture smartphones or not. All the complete industry will will be up in the air. India will take a few years before it can start turnurning out uh chips on its own and those will not be enough for the smartphones of that day. They you need to be in EUV. India is still taking starting to walk and DUV which is fine.

[00:50:54]You can't run a baby first turns then it crawls then it sits down walks on four then stands up falls a few times then walks then runs. So you have a long way to go and that's how it is for seen processing also. So India has a few challenges. I think India needs to align with people who are their all weather friends. And I'm not meaning Russia at this point of time. There are one at least one all all weather friend. There is at least one all weather friend and the second one in the making. Let us cement those things and and make sure that whatever India does there is always something that it can hang its hat on and move from there. I I this is this is India's challenge. India has the capacity to consume what it makes and that's a big deal viewers. Big deal.

[00:51:45]Germany can't do it. China can't do it.

[00:51:48]These are big big economies. They can't do it. They they rely on somebody else to consume their product. India can and and that is India's strength and and be self-sufficient and as much as you consume then essentially you are unencumbered by what happens around you in the world. Sure you'll have patrol challenges petroleum but they have made some good deals on that and you know be beyond energy India is in a good shape in my opinion except that this focus needs to be maintained that I want to manufacture what I want to consume just keep driving that thing down and things will work out sir I have to beg your forgiveness I have to go from my program now >> and thank you so much >> and and we'll see you again tomorrow morning namaskar Yeah, thanks a lot for uh your participation in trig now.

[00:52:41]>> Yeah, thank you. So, India is at that crossroads where we have to decide what we have to do and we'll do it. It's not a it's not a thing which we don't know but what I'm what I've tried to put across today is the game is changing.

[00:52:56]Look, I could have done these two programs separately, but I've done them together with a purpose so that you get the larger picture and in the same program, you know, you get the whole story. And I'd request all of you who watch this program today to you know uh like this and tweet it out or you know give it out to all your friends because it I'm sure I made lot of sense or maybe even nonsense. Even for the sake of nonsense I'm okay. Okay. Now I'm going to repeat this again and maybe tomorrow I will uh photograph what I what I had to say is this that you know Pakistan has gone and complained against me on through Twitter. They have said that my tweets are you know against Pakistan. Naturally they'll be against Pakistan. They won't be for aim becoming the president of Pakistan. Isn't it? So I I'm responding and I'm and the more important thing is what I'm saying and what I'm talking what I'm tweeting what I'm putting out is affecting Pakistan and I intend to continue do this and I would request all of you to help me do this.

[00:54:13]That's the first thing and that will happen only because only if you propagate what I'm talking if you don't propagate what I'm talking then well it uh it's water off the duck's back. I need your support for that. I I need more people who are Indian to follow and understand then you see the reaction from Pakistan. A lot of trolls are coming, lot of nonsense. But I see now that it has taken a serious turn and I'm I welcome it because what I'm saying has is hitting the right places in Pakistan.

[00:54:53]That's the thing and I'm going to talk of that. I'm going to do a video on that one of these days.

[00:55:01]Right. The second thing is while all this is going out on the Russian angle is not settled. Russia Ukraine war. So today evening we'll talk of Russia Ukraine war. They've used the ornik today and what's going to happen there.

[00:55:16]We're going to talk of this right. Uh we'll talk of this right all this. Now I'll take all your questions. I've pulled out a lot of uh Yeah. Uh yeah, I've taken Yes.

[00:55:44]Yeah. Let me take I've highlighted a lot of questions. I'll go over them one by one. Right. And if I've not missed out on some, well, I'll do it next time.

[00:55:54]Yeah.

[00:55:56]So, with USA, one minute. Let me Yeah. With USA pushing USA Venezuela oil to India, can USA realistically match Russia's deep oil discounts and deep defense cooperation? Rajar, first and foremost, Russia stop giving us deep discounts on oil.

[00:56:15]No, USA will not will not. I'm repeating will not match Russia on these issues and so far the track record is it doesn't. Now India and Venezuela will make its own path forward because it is not an USA capability to handle everything what Venezuela does. It's okay they've taken that fellow Maduro out and all that but Deli Rodriguez is a smart cookie. she has her own way and I think she's coming to India shortly and we'll talk of Venezuela and how important it is and all that uh as we come but I think we are on a very good footing and for a country of India size we need Russia, Venezuela and UAE for oil. If you have these three or energy requirements are going to be met and that UAE deal is very important. See UAE deal says some strategic reserve of UAE in India and some strategic reserve of U of India and UAE. Now you have you pump out more oil put it in that keep it when these kind of oil problems happen right then what happens is this is a very interesting thing you have to understand if suppose India wants oil you take it either from there or here it's almost joint ownership someone holds it and if the market starts fluctuating and you have to dowzle the fire then UAE uses it to you know flood the market with oil or hold it back. So this is a terrific mechanism which we're going to uh evolve with UAE because it gives two things. It gives you the ability to dip on oil you increase your strategic oil reserves and for UAE which you know it enables its strategic reserve to for you know adjusting the market price not in UAE but somewhere else where it can't be touched by anyone else.

[00:58:16]So you have to understand that deal in thing. Maybe one of these days I'll talk about it also. Uh very apt thumbnail for the strategic context. Really looking forward to understanding how India masterfully navigates its space between.

[00:58:30]Yeah. Now I'll talk of this maybe tomorrow. I've suggested that you know tomorrow in the Ghana site we discuss this new story which is coming out. So Malika we'll be able to uh talk of this in a day or two.

[00:58:46]Uh there is no deal yet only agreement.

[00:58:48]Yeah, I agree with you. There's no there nothing there's no deal. Okay, I we understand that. That's what I wanted to put across. Last year during the 12-day war, Russia has given some proposal to Iran and US shift Iran's uranium to Russia and refine into nuclear fuel and give it back again. Let's see where this whole story goes. Why India getting swayed with US only to be humiliated at every pace? India should sever ties with uh severize with US to own only formality. Well, I agree with your first face. We should stop depending on us for everything. We have personto people people to contact. We have good things.

[00:59:31]We continue with trade. See, we are trading with China also despite the fact that China is our enemy. So, similarly, you trade with USA. You know what we need to do is trade continue trading but other things well take your own stance build alternatives we shouldn't sever tries with the USA to only a formality have ties but they will not be the ties okay they will not be the ties if there are important ties handle them so we need to change. Yeah, it would be a delightful experience for us Telugu audience if you could grace graciously in initiate a Telugu podcast featuring Telugu speaking military personnel beginning with General Rabi Shankar. Ah well this is an interesting thing and I'll send this I would suggest you give it to give a mail to uh Shrig because we've been trying to start but we not been able to do it but let me see whether we can do it on weekly once I'll do it on Ghana short itself incidentally I have done one in Tamil with uh intern and clause it'll be out in a couple of days so we'll see how we can do this uh in some manner. Okay.

[01:00:58]Iran has already committed in JCPOA that it will never have nuclear weapons and the strait was open before the war. What is the objective of the war? Look, that's a different story. We've known what we've discussed. But why I have taken this question is it is committed in JCPO. It'll never have nuclear weapons. Yes. But it continued to enrich to 60%.

[01:01:24]So that's the thing and why the objective fundamental objective is Iran cannot have nuclear weapons. That's it.

[01:01:31]If I put it this way, Iran boils, leapen AFD have the same arc as Trump. Yes, I agree with you.

[01:01:42]Balls. Who's balls?

[01:01:44]whoever he is extreme right.

[01:01:49]So there's a problem there and for those of you who think you know in many cases people say that you know our government is extreme right Modi G is extreme right I don't think so I don't think so having seen our governments for so many years if the Congress governments are left of the center BJP is right at the center but it is not extreme right nor was Congress extreme life the way it is being made out today.

[01:02:20]One has seen both sides of the equation.

[01:02:24]And if I say that how was uh India governed when during Congress was when Congress was there, how was India governed when BJP was there? Very little difference whether economically, ideologically or your international positions, very little difference.

[01:02:43]Don't go by the nonsense which comes out in the social media.

[01:02:49]Don't do that.

[01:02:51]Both have had the same characteristics little here and there.

[01:02:57]That's it.

[01:02:59]Yeah. Uh if Iran deal comes through, will Trump succeed in making reverse Nixon Kissinger triumph split Russia and China and route China and Russian and Chinese influence from Middle East similar to what they did. Yeah. If the deal comes through, you'll find that you know Russia and China have to rethink. And if Iran is pulled away from them, there'll be a problem for both of them. A huge problem. that we'll talk depending on the outcome of the deal. There are various shades to this deal as it comes and each shade of this deal will have its repercussions.

[01:03:38]We'll talk of it when the deal is made.

[01:03:40]If it is made, if it is made, we don't know from here. You might still go back to war.

[01:03:48]Yeah. What are China and Pakistan's relation like? I am in the US or media is not trustworthy on anything.

[01:03:55]Look they have only one equation and that is India. Please understand this.

[01:04:01]Why why did Pakistan recognize Pakistan was the first country to recognize PRC when it came in 1949. Why did it do that? It did it against India.

[01:04:15]Why did Pakist China reciprocate with Pakistan? Same thing.

[01:04:21]India and yesterday only I discussed this medi please see yesterday's uh video which I did it's a very important video which I did okay how far can we go to know this is something which I did discuss this yesterday and I must I'll show it to you okay let me go back yeah this so have a look at this video which I did yesterday Can China go with India?

[01:04:54]I've discussed this aspect.

[01:04:57]Okay, we uh how this whole story has come out and in other places I've discussed the Park China relationship and the history behind this whole story.

[01:05:10]Uh they have come up for many reasons.

[01:05:15]It was uh 71. It was Pakistan which midwifed China and US relationship. It Kissinger came to Pakistan. He said I'm not well. Same night he was put on a plane PIA plane went to China. He discussed with Mao and Cho and Lai came back in overnight and then went to USA. 6 months later Nixon and Mao met and rest is history.

[01:05:46]Okay. And if you see you know Pakistan has helped China in many ways.

[01:05:51]Immediately after 71 war China helped Pakistan and it gave a loan at that time of one or couple a couple of millions which Pakistan could never return.

[01:06:00]and their entire thing is India and yesterday's thing you know the important thing which I have put uh in this uh yesterday's podcast is this this yeah sorry the important thing which I highlighted in this podcast yesterday on the uh can India go with China is this that um Vijay Golay who was our ambassador to China and later our foreign secretary very clearly in that article in an article with in I think Indian express or something like that I don't remember but that article is excellent you must read it clearly says look the relationship between India and China is not bilateral that's why I'm getting this back and back and back is not bilateral anymore we might look at it as a bilateral issue but China views its in relationship with India in a global perspective because India always threatens uh China and its position in Asia, its position globally.

[01:07:08]So you have to understand this important aspect and we have to calibrate our thinking accordingly.

[01:07:15]This is something which I have been doing uh uh you know many times uh people started understanding it needs to be carried forward. So what I'd request is I'd request all of you to those of you who have missed this uh video have a look. Okay. Yeah. Uh the next thing is of course uh next question if US Iran deal comes through will Trump succeed in we answered this.

[01:07:54]Yeah this also we've answered. Lindseay Graham also said we are going to fight until the last Ukrainian the last Ukrainian has been calling to tell him it is done. No, it's not. So the last Ukrainian is doing something else and we'll talk of it today evening. You have to understand. Yeah, but I am take your point regarding uh Ukraine, right? Uh I think it's finally dawning on Trump that he can't get anything more from this war. The negatives are more than the positives if he pursues war forever.

[01:08:26]taken point taken I don't understand as it is Munir is numero uno in Pakistan how is elevation changes the scenario I explained it amid it changes a lot of things it becomes uh a president and we'll talk of this also separately because it's not it can't be covered in one go and you have to understand this whole story why it's happening America is always with Pakistan why doesn't india understand this from we have always understood tood it we are very clear about it I am from that generation which viewed America as our enemy okay I of that opinion I still am of that opinion America is not good for us in the in beyond a point beyond a point it's not good for us and they've gone back to that now to come back from that to what it was say about 3 4 years back is going to be difficult I personally think trying to defend Taiwan is never going to be a military reality for the next 20 30 years it doesn't need defending because China can't this thing okay everybody is getting insulted by Trump not India alone the government is thick skinned even if commentators are not well that's their choice uh but just because Trump has the leeway to you know uh get insult to insult everyone it does not matter that we take it matters we should not respond to Trump the way he expects us to respond respond and I'll be very happy to give Marco a nice send off and say thank you all the best and carry on. We don't we don't have to make we don't have to create ruffles or make waves do what we have to do quietly and we had done that okay we kept quiet because of it and far more experts with AI disruption would it would look we don't have to disrupt our equation with USA we don't have to react emotionally we need to act with brains and that's the more important thing for me okay India needs ready and get financially stronger.

[01:10:39]Economic strength is Yeah, I agree. I agree with you completely. Most Americans have no clue of the conflict between uh India and Pakistan. I am just learning myself to be honest. I I I I suspect that you're an American. Um you have to understand the IndiaPakistan story, right? It is just not two third world countries there. It is a lot different and you have to understand with whom you've been sleeping in bed with Americans and you know you can't get in do the same expect the same thing from India.

[01:11:17]India will never behave that way.

[01:11:21]Yeah. Rubio's visit to Terasaka convent destroy that trust to with Matt van Dyke caught at Kolkata. Yes, that's a thing which we have. That's why that's there many shades of our equation with uh USA which are in the gray and the black and you cannot we should stop overlooking them. We should get them on the table and discuss.

[01:11:44]Brilliant analysis. India needs to double up thinking on thinking independently minus USA. I agree with you. Thanks a lot. How's Germany these days? uh have been telling USA and China are serious bad partners and cannot survive without each other and both cannot be trusted. Completely agree with you. Uh China and US both do not understand equal. Hence the middle way is the best. Yes, I go with you. Uh USA powerful superlatives all the time other than court participation. I believe Mr. Rubia was here for pushing. Yes. Yes.

[01:12:17]They want to us to be dependent on them.

[01:12:20]But I don't think India should be too dependent on the USA. Yeah, we don't have a choice. We probably have to get gas from them because there's a global gas shortage till uh the Qatar revenues come out and it'll come out but it'll take two to three years. So the normaly from here to now is about 3 years ahead. So till then we might have to depend to a larger extent on USA but we have Russia also for gas and there are indications that we'll be doing deals with others also and what about UAE with UAE is a more trusted partner India to go slow for Trump to exit office and invest in ISRO and DDO and Mariti Shankar and yeah I agree with you on that I have No doubt you know but having said that we need to grow slow on Trump is fine but we also have to deal with him for the next 3 years that's the point geographical spheres of influence are emerging we are learning while logistics matter yes uh it's not just chips sir Taiwan bottles of Chinese military in the first island chain once it falls yes I agree with you completely we've discussed this the importance of the first oil chain general shanka we are 100% % supportive your effort please I I thank you thank you all all of you who contributed to me watching this channel or become members with Ghana short I'm immensely thankful to all of you my request to make this more important because people are feeling the heat in Pakistan and I'm sure that others will also start looking now China and Pakistan watch carefully and in fact during opsendor what I book was published in Pakist in China. So to that extent they are also watching in this channel very closely.

[01:14:22]It's a joke you are part of the army fighting Pakistan and as a retired general you're doing what you trained for. Twitter is a joke if they pen Twitter is not penalized. Look let me let's be honest with said we're not stopping it but Twitter has given me email to say that this is the complaint they've got and they have done nothing about it. So I've replied in my Twitter handle. So if you go to my Twitter handle, you'll see it. You'll see my reply also and all. And um so I would request all of you who got Twitter, who are following me on Twitter, retweet what I have put out. But I will also put it out here as to how the whole story has moved forward. Maybe tomorrow or day after I'll do it. Yeah. So I think we are done for the day right I think we are done for the day.

[01:15:12]Thanks a lot for all of you who have come joined and you know have uh waited till I put all the questions out and I will yeah so yeah now let me take this there's a difference between Congress and BJP please remember opsund would have never happened if Congress look I don't think you're understand please understand when you talk of Congress you don't talk of the immediate past to look at Congress this over the period of time under Congress government we fought three wars successfully formal wars so don't don't many of you have very myopic views of India India has existed for centuries and as a country we have existed 75 years BJP has been power only for 10 years or 15 years whatever it is uh in fact 13 + 5 18 17 years out of all this. So please look at it from the larger thing. Now also understand BJP is doing well. I agree with you. But if they if Congress didn't give us a base for doing what it is, this this BJP wouldn't be doing this well. It all starts from the base, isn't it? The platform. And understand there's not much difference between how BJP has behaved and how Congress has behaved.

[01:16:35]You might be a BJP supporter. You might be a Congress supporter. I am neither.

[01:16:41]You look at it from my point of view. I am I'm I'm neither.

[01:16:46]Okay. I'm not anyone's supporter. I support India. And it is in my uh uh you know way of looking at it. See how does a particular government has it helped India or not? Has it helped us? How do we help? I will respect the government in power. If why is the government and power important? The government in power is important. We the people of India voted them to power. We need to support them.

[01:17:15]Tomorrow if a Congress government comes, I'll support them still. You want do you think just because you are a BJP supporter, I should let my Congress government down if the if BJP is voted out of power?

[01:17:29]Democracy is not about a party.

[01:17:32]Democracy is about parties. Democracy is about the will of the people, right? That is what it is. Uh and India is about its constitution and its people. It's not about BJP or Congress.

[01:17:47]Then that debate is not correct.

[01:17:51]Please understand this.

[01:17:54]Okay.

[01:17:58]Okay. It is a different way that they're framing things.

[01:18:06]Don't fall for this partyism.

[01:18:10]You must have a political view. If today the Congress is not giving good alternatives, go and vote for the BJP.

[01:18:17]If tomorrow the BJP misbehaves, I'll vote for the Congress or whichever way you look at it. In fact, in the last elections in uh Tamil Nadu, I didn't vote for BJP or uh Congress. I voted for third party.

[01:18:37]Right. Of course, the third party was in league, you know, with others, but that's a different story.

[01:18:44]So, we will not go into the partism in our country. We will look at our country which is more important to me. Okay. Thanks a lot.

[01:18:56]Join me in the evening. We're going to discuss Ukraine. Till then have a great day and jin to all of you.