In Our Defence India Today Podcasts

Where is the conflict in Gaza heading? After seven months of the Israel-Hamas war, are we witnessing the beginning of the end, or is it a war with no foreseeable conclusion?

Why does Netanyahu persist in his stance despite mounting international pressure? Is his stubbornness a response to the intelligence lapse exposed by the October 7 Hamas attack, or is it part of a calculated strategy aimed at achieving Israel's "objectives"? What comes after Israel fulfils its current objectives?

Host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into the complexities of the conflict, recognising it as a narrative battle, particularly when Gaza is simplistically equated with Hamas.

They examine the United States' role, acknowledging its vested interests despite criticisms of President Joe Biden's handling of domestic student protests at Ivy League universities and support for Israel.

What has the United Nations contributed beyond condemnation? And where does India stand? What more can India do, especially as it aspires to global influence?

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor delve into India's nuclear submarine program, discussing its limited fleet despite a vast coastline of 6700 km. Why does a country with such a significant maritime border suffer from "sea blindness"? The Indian Navy, the smallest among the three armed forces, seems disproportionally under-equipped given the strategic importance of its maritime domain. So, what factors contributed to this stagnation?

India currently boasts only two nuclear submarines, INS Arihant and INS Arighat. But what sets nuclear submarines apart from their conventional and diesel-electric counterparts?

Consider this a masterclass on the SSBNs (nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines) and SSNs (nuclear-powered attack submarines).In February 2015, the Indian government approved the indigenous construction of six SSNs at the Ship Building Center (SBC) in Visakhapatnam. But we have yet to hear much about these projects since then. The absence of a nuclear-powered attack submarine in India's fleet has significant strategic implications. Why hasn't India yet commissioned one despite the urgency?

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

In this episode, host Dev Goswami and defence enthusiast Shiv Aroor delve into the cutting-edge advancements in India's missile programs and the coveted missile technology programs at large. They examine two significant tests: the successful launch of the indigenous Nirbhay cruise missile and a new variant of the Medium-Range Ballistic Missile, both of which showcase India's technological prowess.

Why is the Nirbhay test off Odisha's coast a monumental achievement for India?

Why is exporting homemade BrahMos, India's iconic missile, to the Philippines a significant development? BrahMos is gaining traction and making a resounding impact in international markets, including Southeast Asia and Africa. Some countries in West Asia have also expressed keen interest.

Listen in to know more about India's growing prowess in missile technology.

Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

The Indian Air Force is preparing for a significant upgrade with the upcoming test of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)'s Astra Mark 2 air-to-air missile. This missile, capable of hitting targets up to 130 km away, is a game-changer for India's air combat capabilities. The DRDO has been developing these missiles since 2001 to engage distant targets effectively.

In this episode, Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor discuss the importance of long-range missiles like Astra Mark 2 for modern air battles and why India needs them. They also reflect on the post-Balakot skirmish, which took place on 27 February 2019. India faced challenges in maintaining its position despite the Pakistan Air Force's (PAF) anticipated retaliation after the Balakot airstrike. The podcast analyses the dynamics of the skirmish and identifies the reasons that pinned India down.

This and more in In Our Defence!

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

In the heat of election season, a recent report from The Guardian has sparked controversy. It claims that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's office ordered assassinations in Pakistan, as revealed by Indian and Pakistani intelligence sources.

According to the report, the Research & Analysis Wing (RAW), an agency that PM Modi's office directly controls, had undertaken the strategy to "eliminate terrorists living on foreign soil".

However, the report contained many glaring errors, not only grammatically but factually, too. So, has the Guardian done PM Modi a favour? Or has it put India "into trouble"?

There's a paradox: India wants to embrace The Guardian's story politically but deny it diplomatically. Has India admitted to carrying out killings in Pakistan?

Host Dev Goswami and defence expert Shiv Aroor decode.

**Revisit our earlier episode about mysterious deaths, possibly linked to an unidentified Indian hit squad here: 

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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini

Sound mix by Sachin Dwivedi

This week, China released a fresh list of 'renamed' places in Arunachal Pradesh. This was yet another attempt by Beijing to assert its claim over the north-eastern Indian state that for long China has claimed to be its "integral part". India called China's move to rename the places "senseless", saying, "Assigning invented names will not alter the reality that Arunachal Pradesh is, has been, and will always be an integral and inalienable part of India.

The development brings into focus the fact that Arunachal Pradesh is, and has been, a core subject of India-China tensions. On this episode of In Our Defence, host Dev Goswami and defence expert and senior journalist Shiv Aroor trace the history of tensions between India and China over Arunachal Pradesh.

The two revisit the 1962 war, where India suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of the Chinese army, a defeat that was particularly humiliating in the Arunachal Pradesh, then known as the North-East Frontier Agency, sector. They discuss the lessons learnt from the war and where things stand today.

Also on the episode is a dive into why dealing with China - militarily or diplomatically - is such a challenge and, at times, frustrating. Tune in.