In this interview, Hindol Sengupta is in conversation with Sadiq Raisani, Advocate and Head of the Tribal Affairs Department for the Free Balochistan Movement. They explore the complex realities of Balochistan, its struggle for autonomy, and the aspirations of the Baloch people. There is news that with a new commitment of $1.25 billion in EXIM Bank financing, the U.S.-Pakistan partnership will drive economic growth in Balochistan, BUT the Baloch have their own opinion about this development. See the tweet here - https://x.com/usembislamabad/status/1998654886850773219 From historical grievances to modern-day challenges, this discussion delves into: •⁠ ⁠The impact of foreign investments and geopolitical interests on the region •⁠ ⁠CPEC and the History of Chinese Projects in Balochistan •⁠ ⁠Issues surrounding natural resources, mining, and economic exploitation in Balochistan •⁠ ⁠Iran’s Approach to the Baloch Question •⁠ ⁠Local Resistance and Opposition to CPEC •⁠ ⁠Global Attention and Support for the Baloch Movement •⁠ ⁠Rising Radicalisation and Societal Opposition in Pakistan •⁠ ⁠Development Prospects in an Independent Balochistan Sadiq Raisani shares first-hand insights into the current state of the movement, the strategies being discussed internally, and how Baloch voices are reaching international platforms despite immense pressure. This conversation provides a rare, nuanced perspective on one of South Asia’s most sensitive and underreported issues. 📌 Watch to understand: •⁠ ⁠Fight for Independence Political Activism, and Advocacy in Balochistan •⁠ ⁠Tribal Networks and Their Role in Decision-Making and Mobilisation •⁠ ⁠The Future of the Baloch Movement in the Geopolitical Context Please note: the audio is in Hindi/Urdu. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth discussions on politics, social movements, human rights, and regional affairs. Chapters - 0:00-0:58 Introduction 1:49-3:40 Who profits from Balochistan? Mining, American investment and Pakistan 4:14-5:31 CPEC didn’t deliver- Will American investment be any different for Balochistan? 5:53-6:12 Are there negotiations between the Baloch movement and Pakistan? 6:43-8:41 Why CPEC face deep resistance in Balochistan 9:02-11:05 Iran and the Baloch question 11:50-13:56 How did the Baloch community react to news of U.S. investment in mineral extraction 14:41-15:28 How Baloch resistance has evolved 16:07-17:05 How global attention for the Baloch movement has changed 17:42-18:23 Balochistan and the Pakistani military under Asim Munir 18:37-20:07 Independent Balochistan - How mineral wealth could drive development 20:32-21:31 Transnational repression- Pakistan, Iran and the Baloch movement today 22:06-24:19 Should the Baloch movement rethink its strategy for independence 24:48-26:40 Rising radicalisation in Pakistan and its effect on the Baloch movement 26:42-27:00 Closing #Balochistan #SadiqRaisani #HindolSengupta #TribalAffairs #BalochFreedomMovement #HumanRights #Geopolitics #SouthAsia #Activism

Watch the full conversation - https://youtu.be/1HailQfocJE

Watch the full conversation - https://youtu.be/1HailQfocJE

Watch the full conversation - https://youtu.be/1HailQfocJE

In this episode of Global Order, Gopal Sutar, Former Chief of Media Communications, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) speaks to Hindol Sengupta. He breaks down the strategic importance of India’s indigenous HAL Tejas fighter aircraft in the wake of the recent Tejas crash at the Dubai Airshow 2025, an incident that tragically claimed the life of an Indian Air Force pilot, Wing Commander Namansh Syal. The discussion explores how such setbacks impact India’s defence aspirations and export efforts, while emphasizing why Tejas remains central to the modernization of the Indian Air Force. Despite accidents being part of the aviation development process, Sutar highlights the rigorous testing Tejas has undergone, the internal evaluations underway, and HAL’s commitment to learning and improving from every challenge. Sutar also discusses how decades of technology denial propelled India’s push for indigenous defence manufacturing, the operational significance of Tejas for decades to come, and why building sovereign capabilities, especially in engine manufacturing, is more crucial than ever. 00:00 - 02:33 - Opening 02:34 - 05:22 - Why is Tejas still critical for India? 05:23 - 06:58 - The denial of technology that drove the Tejas Programme 06:59 - 08:59 - The two Tejas accidents 09:00 - 11:16 - What went wrong with the Tejas in Dubai? 11:17 - 12:39 - Changes within HAL after the accident 12:40 - 16:05 - The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Project 16:06 - 19:18 - Building Indigenous Defence Manufacturing Industry in India 19:19 - 21:25 - The role of Tejas in the future 21:26 - 22:23 - Engine supply delays from GE 22:24 - 25:05 - The challenge of indigenous engine production 25:06 - 26:09 - Closing #india #defence #technology #indigenousproduction #Tejas #HAL #dubaiairshow #tejasaccident #engineproduction #defencenews #globalorder #globalaffairs #industry #podcast

Dr. Peter Layton discusses whether crewed fighter aircraft are becoming the weakest link in modern airpower. He argues that, much like battleships in earlier eras, crewed fighters are growing increasingly vulnerable, costly, and less adaptable to the rapidly evolving threat environment. While acknowledging the skill and bravery of pilots, he suggests that technological and operational realities are shifting airpower toward more flexible, unmanned, and distributed systems. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSpHx7bx4zA&t=2s

Dr Peter Layton discusses India's recent urgent order for approximately three hundred S-400 missiles from Russia, attributing it to the system's proven effectiveness and heavy usage during Operation Sindoor.​ He also expresses surprise that Russia has not proposed setting up a factory in India to produce Shahed (‘Shiha’) drones, inexpensive Iranian drones refined by Russia and pivotal in the Ukraine war, given their affordability, mass production, and ease of technology transfer. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSpHx7bx4zA&t=2s

Dr. Peter Layton discusses tactical lessons from Operation Sindoor, stressing the need for agile forces adaptable to sudden battlefield changes rather than rigid optimizations over the years. He cautions that India’s renewed interest in stealth platforms risks becoming an “over-focus” that may prove counterproductive in a future conflict. Dr Layton urges flexible mindsets and forces. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JSpHx7bx4zA&t=2s