China's Biggest Threat: India, Japan & Asia's Power Shift | Sreeram Chaulia | FO542 Raj Shamani
Jul 30, 2026 · 1h 27m
Summary
Raj Shamani interviews foreign affairs expert Prof. Shriram Chawla on India’s “live-in” foreign policy, emphasizing strategic autonomy over rigid alliances. They discuss key partnerships with Japan, Australia, the US, France, Israel, and Russia within the Quad framework to counter China’s rise. The episode highlights how India balances diverse global interests to secure economic and security benefits without becoming a subordinate ally.
Topics discussed
Introduction: India's 'live-in' diplomatic strategy
Partnerships with Japan, Russia, and France
Sponsor segment: Remitly money transfers
Defining 'live-in' vs. marriage in alliances
The Quad and Indo-Pacific security architecture
Western partnerships: Israel, Europe, and France
Balancing relations with Russia and the US
Japan's constraints and India's multi-alignment
Moral arguments vs. strategic interests
Japan-China dynamics and India's strategic focus
Japan as a development and infrastructure partner
Countering China's economic colonization in the Global South
India's vision of a multipolar world order
US hegemony, the Thucydides trap, and great power logic
India's independent stance on Ukraine and Gaza
The India-Australia strategic partnership
Brain drain reversal and talent return to India
US-India friction, tariffs, and strategic asymmetry
Managing the Russia relationship and Ukraine war
France as a key partner for autonomy and defense
India-Israel cooperation in defense and counter-terrorism
India-UAE relations and the Gulf partnership
Conclusion: India's rising global stature and future
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