Myanmar’s escalating instability is reshaping the security landscape of India’s Northeast. From the surge in synthetic drug trafficking and cyber scam syndicates to border security challenges, critical minerals, insurgency, and media narratives, this episode of The Global Order explores the complex dynamics shaping one of India’s most strategically important regions. Swareena Singh is joined by Rami Niranjan Desai, one of India’s foremost experts on the Northeast, for an in-depth discussion on the evolving geopolitical, security, and socio-economic realities of the region. Drawing on decades of field research and travel, Desai examines the impact of Myanmar’s conflict on India, the rise of transnational cyber fraud networks, the future of the Free Movement Regime, the strategic significance of critical minerals, and the changing perception of Northeast India in policy and public discourse. Key topics discussed: - The shift of drug trafficking networks from Afghanistan to Myanmar - The rise of synthetic drugs and their impact on India’s Northeast - Cyber scam compounds, human trafficking, and digital fraud networks - Border security, surveillance, and the Free Movement Regime (FMR) - Critical minerals and the strategic importance of Myanmar - Infrastructure, development, and security transformations in Northeast India - Media narratives, insurgency, and the geopolitics of the region - Why Northeast India deserves greater national attention and engagement Chapters 00:00 - 00:33 - Opening 00:34 - 03:01 - Illicit drug networks in Myanmar- Impact on India's Northeast 03:02 - 07:01 - The threats posed by transnational cyber-fraud networks 07:02 - 12:06 - Cross-border identities and impact on border security 12:07 - 15:11 - India's Northeast, China, and Critical Minerals 15:12 - 19:25 - Does New Delhi have misconceptions about its Northeast region? 19:26 - 23:14 - Violence in the northeast and agenda-driven media coverage 23:15 - 23:35 - Closing #TheGlobalOrder #NortheastIndia #Myanmar #IndiaMyanmarRelations #Geopolitics #NationalSecurity #BorderSecurity #CriticalMinerals #CyberScams #DrugTrafficking #ActEastPolicy #NeighbourhoodFirst #IndoPacific #StrategicAffairs #ForeignPolicy #SecurityStudies #IndiaPolitics #RegionalSecurity #GlobalAffairs #PolicyDiscussion

“You don’t need to have cultural amnesia and forget your roots to integrate in a country”, says Puneet Dwivedi MBE. For decades, Puneet Dwivedi MBE has worked at the intersection of education, public service, culture and community leadership, helping strengthen the relationship between India and the United Kingdom while championing greater understanding across diverse communities. In this episode of *Common Ground*, we explore the changing story of the Indian diaspora, the role of education in shaping global partnerships, and why identity, representation and cultural understanding matter more than ever in an increasingly interconnected world. Please join Lakshmi Kaul, Contributing Editor in this candid conversation with Puneet Dwivedi MBE on this week's episode of #commonground on Global Order. Together, they explore some of the most important questions shaping multicultural Britain today: 🔹 Why are Hindus so often misunderstood or misrepresented? 🔹 What happens when identity is defined by others? 🔹 How can education build stronger bridges between India and the UK? 🔹 What role do community leadership and cultural understanding play in creating a more inclusive society? 🔹 Why does representation matter—not just for one community, but for everyone? If you enjoyed this episode, please like, subscribe and share it with someone who values meaningful conversations. #commonground #PuneetDwivedi #LakshmiKaul #indiauk #BritishHindus #identityandbelonging #Representation #Diaspora #education #leadershipjourney #Culture #MulticulturalBritain #CommunityLeadership #globalorder #podcast

Why is Britain facing economic stagnation, political instability, and growing social discontent? In this episode of The Global Order, host Swareena Singh speaks with Dr. Gautam Sen to unpack the deeper structural forces behind the UK's contemporary challenges. Drawing on decades of research and experience, Dr. Sen traces Britain's trajectory from the world's first industrial nation and global financial centre to an economy grappling with stagnant living standards, high public debt, declining productivity, and repeated political upheavals. The conversation examines the long-term consequences of deindustrialisation, financialisation, Brexit, demographic pressures, welfare spending, and leadership failures, while also exploring questions of governance, social cohesion, and national renewal. The discussion also addresses the UK's evolving relationship with Europe, India, and the wider world, asking whether Britain can reverse its decline or whether it is entering a prolonged period of economic and geopolitical adjustment. Key themes discussed: Britain's economic decline: myth or reality? The historical roots of the UK's structural challenges Financialisation and the weakening of industry Brexit and its economic consequences Political instability and leadership turnover Migration, welfare, and social tensions The future of the City of London Britain's changing place in the global order Lessons for emerging powers, including India Chapters 00:00 - 01:11 - Opening 01:12 - 01:50 - 'Britain is becoming poorer' 01:51 - 37:52 - How did Britain's economy get 'hollowed-out'? 37:53 - 46:15 - Brexit: Cause of Decline or a Symptom of deeper problems? 46:16 - 52:56 - Political instability, economic decline, and the future trajectory of the UK 52:57 - 54:45 - Closing #TheGlobalOrder #UnitedKingdom #Britain #Brexit #PoliticalEconomy #Geopolitics #InternationalRelations #GlobalEconomy #PublicPolicy #IndiaUKRelations #EconomicHistory #GlobalOrderPodcast

In his recent interview with Global Order, Hindol Sengupta challenges the assumption that India is inherently secure. Pointing to historical conflicts, territorial losses, and evolving regional dynamics, he argues that India's security environment demands far greater strategic attention than is often reflected in public discourse. Watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/U2jgVycUxhs #India #NationalSecurity #Geopolitics #StrategicAffairs #SecurityStudies #ForeignPolicy #IndoPacific #China #SouthAsia #PublicPolicy

Why does the Great Nicobar Project matter? In his recent interview with Global Order, Hindol Sengupta explains how the project's dual-use infrastructure, transshipment capabilities, and strategic location could strengthen India's economic and security interests in the Indo-Pacific. The challenge, he argues, is not choosing between development and sustainability, but finding the right balance between them. Watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/U2jgVycUxhs #GreatNicobar #India #IndoPacific #NationalSecurity #MaritimeSecurity #StrategicThinking #Infrastructure #Trade #Geopolitics #Governance

Why are some strategically important projects in India implemented years—sometimes decades—after their necessity becomes apparent? In his recent interview with Global Order, Hindol Sengupta argues that the answer lies in a political culture that has often favoured immediate gains over long-term national interests. Watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/U2jgVycUxhs #India #StrategicThinking #NationalSecurity #PublicPolicy #Governance #Geopolitics #StateCapacity #NationBuilding #LongTermThinking #Leadership

In his recent interview with Global Order, Hindol Sengupta argued that one of India's longstanding challenges has been the tendency of its elites to prioritise immediate, transactional interests over long-term national objectives. He suggests that this short-term mindset has often come at the expense of strategic thinking on issues of national security and development. Watch the full conversation on our YouTube channel - https://youtu.be/U2jgVycUxhs #GlobalOrder #India #NationalSecurity #StrategicThinking #Geopolitics #PublicPolicy #IndiaRising #Leadership #StateCapacity

India’s ambitious Great Nicobar Project has emerged as one of the most consequential and debated infrastructure initiatives in recent years. Is it a strategic necessity for India’s security and economic future, or do the environmental and social costs outweigh the benefits? In this episode of The Global Order, host Swareena Singh speaks with historian, author, and strategic affairs expert Hindol Sengupta to unpack the geopolitical, economic, environmental, and philosophical dimensions of the project. The conversation explores how Great Nicobar could strengthen India’s position near the Malacca Strait, enhance maritime security, support transshipment trade, and project strategic influence in the Indo-Pacific. At the same time, it examines concerns surrounding ecological preservation, seismic risks, and the future of indigenous communities such as the Shompen and Nicobarese peoples. The discussion also delves into larger questions about state capacity, long-term national planning, infrastructure development, and the role of democratic scrutiny in shaping India's future, and a range of other issues, including: - Why the Great Nicobar Project matters for India’s security - The strategic significance of the Malacca Strait - China’s “Malacca Dilemma” and maritime competition in the Indo-Pacific - Economic opportunities through transshipment and trade - Environmental concerns and mitigation measures - Indigenous communities and development challenges - Seismic risks, infrastructure, and lessons from Japan - India’s administrative capacity to execute mega-projects - Democratic debate versus strategic ambition - Long-term thinking and nation-building in India Chapters 00:00 - 02:50 - Introduction to the Great Nicobar Project 02:51 - 06:09 - India's Security Concerns and the Great Nicobar Project 06:10 - 08:59 - Balancing Environmental Concerns with Development 09:00 - 11:56 - Technological Advancements and Infrastructure Development 11:57 - 15:11 - Indigenous Tribes and Their Rights 15:12 - 17:58 - Administrative Capacity and Implementation Challenges 17:59 - 20:46 - Long-term Vision vs. Short-term Gains 20:47 - 25:36 - Conclusion and Reflections on National Projects #GreatNicobar #India #IndoPacific #Geopolitics #MaritimeSecurity #Infrastructure #StrategicAffairs #Environment #MalaccaStrait #China #NationalSecurity #PublicPolicy #TheGlobalOrder