ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash

Gaddam Dharmendra is a former Indian Foreign Service officer who joined the service in 1990. He served in senior diplomatic roles for over three decades and was India’s Ambassador to Iran from 2019 to 2023. He is known for his deep understanding of West Asia, sanctions, and regional politics.

Dr Waiel Awwad is a Syrian-born journalist based in South Asia who covers Middle East affairs. He has reported from several war zones. During the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, he was caught in an ambush while reporting from the ground and narrowly escaped execution. Also joining the podcast is ANI Director Ishaan Prakash.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the Iran crisis and the future of the Khamenei regime. They talk about possible US intervention, whether Iran’s Khamenei regime could fall, and who might take over if that happens. The conversation also examines what the people of Iran truly want and how today’s protests differ from the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

00:00 — Introduction
01:13 — Inside Iran’s Protests
12:42 — Gulf States Against US Strike Over Iran
16:35 — Trump’s Appeal to Iranian Protesters
22:09 — Iran Regime Change Soon?
25:08 — Iranian Institutions
27:50 — Iran’s Nuclear Program
37:28 — US-Iran Negotiation Talks
48:25 — The Iran–Israel Conflict
51:10 — US Sanctions on Iran
57:20 — US Media Coverage of Iran
1:06:28 — Pro-Government Rallies in Iran
1:13:45 — Iran’s Economic Crisis

Sukanta Majumdar is a Lok Sabha MP from Balurghat and serves as Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the North Eastern Region in the NDA government.

In this episode of The ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sukanta Majumdar discusses the high-stakes politics of West Bengal ahead of the 2026 polls.

He claims that Bengal government documents were found at Pratik Jain’s residence, whose company, I-PAC, handles the political campaign of the TMC.

Sukanta also speaks about West Bengal’s changing demographics and their political impact, concerns over democracy under the TMC and the Left’s alleged alignment with the TMC.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction
00:57 – ED vs Mamata over I-PAC Raids
06:42 – President’s Rule in Bengal?
10:02 – Bengali vs Non-Bengali Politics
14:42 – Infiltration in West Bengal
20:45 – Demographic Changes in Bengal
24:33 – Who Will Be BJP’s CM Face?
29:32 – Amartya Sen and SIR Controversy
34:59 – Jobs Crisis in Bengal
38:42 – Rise of New Parties in Bengal Politics
42:16 – Industrial Decline in Bengal
50:28 – Post-Poll Violence in Bengal
56:55 – BJP’s Roadmap for 2026 Bengal Polls

Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar served in the Indian Foreign Service for over three decades. During his distinguished career, he served as India’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Sweden, and Latvia, and held key diplomatic assignments in Washington, D.C., Brussels, Moscow, Geneva, Tehran, Dhaka, and Bangkok. Today, Ambassador Sajjanhar regularly writes and speaks on issues related to international relations and India’s foreign policy.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ambassador Sajjanhar discusses the United States’ actions in Venezuela and what this means for global politics. He also talks about Chinese weaponry, which he claims failed to perform during the Venezuelan crisis. The conversation further explores why Indian godmen enjoy a massive following in South American countries, a phenomenon that often surprises many.

Ambassador Sajjanhar also shares his views on Donald Trump’s interest in buying Greenland, the way the US is handling trade negotiations with India, and what the future may hold for India’s foreign policy.

00:00 – Introduction
01:08 – US move to capture Maduro legitimate?
04:33 – Narco-terrorism charges against Venezuela
05:54 – When US captured Manuel Noriega (1989)
08:27 – Can the US run Venezuela?
11:41 – Venezuela is not just about oil
15:21 – Venezuela & Sathya Sai Baba connection
17:54 – Can Trump buy Greenland?
20:17 – Europe on Venezuela crisis & Greenland
24:31 – Putin’s war in Ukraine legitimate?
26:20 – China’s weapons failed in Venezuela
29:05 – China vs USA: The No. 1 global rivalry
34:00 – Will China invade Taiwan?
37:10 – India’s response to Maduro's capture
41:54 – India’s crude oil needs
44:19 – India–USA trade tensions
50:14 – India’s pivot towards China
52:28 – China–Pakistan–Bangladesh nexus

J. Sai Deepak is a senior advocate at the Supreme Court of India and a well-known author. His books include 'India, That Is Bharat: Coloniality, Civilisation, Constitution' and 'India, Bharat and Pakistan: The Constitutional Journey of a Sandwiched Civilisation.'

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, J. Sai Deepak talks about the demographic changes taking place in India’s border areas and how these shifts could impact India’s democracy, governance and policy-making. He explains why India needs a special Immigration Task Force to deal with the issue of illegal immigration.

He also discusses the SIR controversy, the North-South divide and also describes demography as the last battle to protect Hindu civilisation and warns that India cannot afford to take this issue lightly.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction
01:22 – SIR Exercise Across India
06:47 – Illegal Migrants in West Bengal
14:04 – Mamata’s Stance on Illegal Migrants
20:05 – Politics Around Illegal Migration
24:42 – How India’s Border Areas Have Changed
31:00 – How India Can Address Illegal Migration
32:55 – Pawan Kalyan’s Political Influence
34:18 – North–South Population Debate
40:33 – The North–South Divide
46:11 – Tax Devolution in India
52:09 – How Owaisi Won Seats in Bihar
59:07 – Left vs Right Wing
01:04:02 – Oxford Union Debate Controversy
01:12:43 – Demographics and Cultural Debates

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Constantino Xavier, Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy and Security Studies at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), and Dinkar Srivastava, former diplomat and Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation.

They discuss the upcoming elections in Bangladesh, the future of the Awami League, and the role of Sheikh Hasina. The conversation also revolves around at growing concerns about minorities, including Hindus in Bangladesh. Is there a rising wave of Islamisation? And how should India move forward in its ties with Dhaka?

Pakistan is also in focus. The guests talk about the rise of Asim Munir, the new boss of all things military and nuclear in Pakistan. Can the threat of another terror attack from Pakistan be ruled out?

The episode also explores how China and the United States are shaping choices in South Asia, and what India’s response should be in a changing regional scenario.

00:00 – Introduction
01:45 – Why Asim Munir Took CDF Role
05:54 – The Fall of Pervez Musharraf
07:43 – Can Pakistan Attack India Again?
15:03 – Will Bangladesh Hold Elections in February 2026?
25:37 – Imran Khan vs Asim Munir
32:39 – Rising Islamisation in Bangladesh
44:20 – Rohingya Crisis Explained
47:15 – Role of Pakistan Army in Politics
51:03 – When ISI Trained Guns on Dinkar Srivastava
01:11:40 – Anti-India Sentiment in Bangladesh
01:23:50 – India as the Standard in Pakistan
01:30:15 – India’s Neighbourhood Strategy