(AUDIO ONLY) India has taken a decisive step in reshaping its maritime future. With the clearance of a massive $11 billion mega-project in the Andaman & Nicobar region, the focus is now firmly on transforming Great Nicobar Island into one of the most strategic maritime hubs in the Indo-Pacific. Spanning nearly 30 years and covering approximately 166 sq km of the island, this ambitious development plan is far more than an infrastructure push - it is a geopolitical statement. At the heart of the project lies the proposed International Container Transhipment Terminal at Galathea Bay, designed to position India as a major global trade and shipping hub. Located close to the vital Strait of Malacca, one of the world’s busiest maritime chokepoints, the project dramatically enhances India’s ability to influence trade flows across the Indian Ocean. The development blueprint also includes: - A Greenfield international airport with dual civil-military capability - A 450 MW power plant (gas and solar-based) - A modern township to support long-term economic growth - Advanced maritime and surveillance infrastructure Strategically, this location strengthens India’s maritime posture, enhances surveillance across key sea lanes, and improves power projection capabilities deep into the Indian Ocean Region. Economically, the project aims to attract major foreign direct investment (FDI), elevate India’s transhipment capacity, and reduce dependence on foreign ports. It seeks to transform the island into a global trade hub while catalyzing economic activity in India’s eastern maritime frontier. Geopolitically, many analysts see this move as a long-term counter to China’s expanding footprint in the region, particularly its so-called “String of Pearls” strategy, a network of ports and maritime assets stretching across the Indian Ocean. In this in-depth conversation, we are joined by Vice Admiral Pradeep Chauhan (Retd.), who breaks down: - The strategic importance of Great Nicobar - The naval and security implications - India’s evolving maritime doctrine - How India's nuclear submarine program is expanding - The balance between economic ambition and environmental concerns - What this means for India’s competition with China - And whether this marks the rise of a stronger Indian maritime consciousness Is this India’s most ambitious maritime move yet? Can Great Nicobar redefine the strategic balance in the Bay of Bengal and beyond?And how does this shape India’s long-term deterrence and power projection? Chapters - 0:00-0:40 Opening 1:47-6:10 India vs China in the Bay? The Great Nicobar Project Explained 7:12-11:39 Strategic Concerns Rise Over Chinese Activity Near Andaman Waters 12:51-17:55 After Sheikh Hasina: Who Shapes Bangladesh’s Maritime Future? 19:00-22:05 Seven Sisters Without India: A Diplomatic Message from Bangladesh? 23:00-31:37 India’s Third Nuclear Submarine: A Turning Point Against China? 32:06- 38:21 Beyond Trade: Why the Ocean Is Also a Security Frontier 38:23-39:10 Closing #greatnicobarproject #indiamaritimestrategy #indopacific #indianoceanstrategy #indiachina #geopolitics #maritimesecurity #blueeconomy #indiannavy #bayofbengal #indopacificsecurity #strategicaffairs #globaltraderoutes #maritimepower #oceangeopolitics #southasiageopolitics #defenseanalysis #seapower #indianoceanregion #strategicstudies

Watch the full conversation - https://youtu.be/gQ4QlPme-I8

Watch the full conversation - https://youtu.be/gQ4QlPme-I8

Watch the full conversation - https://youtu.be/gQ4QlPme-I8

Watch the full conversation - https://youtu.be/gQ4QlPme-I8 #BangladeshPolitics #Jamaat #SouthAsia #IndiaBangladeshRelations #Geopolitics #RegionalSecurity #PoliticalIslam #DemocracyInSouthAsia #StrategicAffairs #NortheastIndia

Watch the full conversation - youtu.be/gQ4QlPme-I8

In this conversation, Professor Hindol Sengupta discusses the recent election results in Bangladesh, focusing on the unexpected resurgence of the Jamaat party and the implications for the country's political landscape. He analyzes the legitimacy gained by the Jamaat, the challenges faced by Tariq Rahman of the BNP, and the potential for Sheikh Hasina's return. The discussion also touches on the economic challenges in Bangladesh and the regional implications for India, particularly concerning radicalization and the stability of the northeastern states. The conversation delves into the complex geopolitical landscape surrounding Bangladesh and India, focusing on demographic challenges, local tensions, the role of the Bangladeshi army, and the strategic calculus of India in relation to its neighbor. It highlights the ongoing communal tensions faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh, the disillusionment of the youth with political legacies, and the potential for engaging with Islamist factions. The discussion also emphasizes the environmental risks posed by climate change and the implications of mass migration towards India. Chapters 00:00 - 03:06 - Bangladesh Election Results Overview 03:07 - 05:55 - The Rise of Jamaat-e-Islami 05:56 - 09:12 - Challenges for Tariq Rahman and BNP 09:13 - 12:08 - Awami League's Future and Economic Concerns 12:09 - 14:56 - Jamaat's Role and India-Bangladesh Relations 14:57 - 17:46 - The Impact of Radicalization and Security Threats 17:47 - 20:56 - Demographic Changes and Internal Tensions in India 20:57 - 23:50 - Bangladesh Army's Position and Strategic Implications 23:51 - 26:46 - India's Strategic Calculus with Bangladesh 26:47 - 30:00 - Religious Minorities and Long-term Trends 30:01 - 33:09 -The Future of Bangladesh's Political Landscape 33:10 - 36:05 - Closing #BangladeshElections #Jamaat #BNP #TariqRahman #SheikhHasina #IndiaBangladeshRelations #SouthAsia #Geopolitics #RegionalSecurity #NortheastIndia #PoliticalIslam #ClimateMigration #MinorityRights #BangladeshArmy

Prof. Sriparna Pathak suggests that the vague charge of “serious violations” fits Xi’s anti-corruption drive, but Zhang’s purge reveals deeper succession anxieties—disrupting elite management, signalling that even close allies aren’t immune, and causing short-term paralysis, loss of expertise, and delays within the PLA. Watch the full interview here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSncmEVKplU