Why has Dharma or duty been the core pillar for sustaining India’s extraordinary democracy?

Which individuals, spiritual movements and sociocultural organisations have kept India united as a nation and strong as a democracy?

Why are international rankings claiming that democracy and human rights are declining in India logically and methodologically flawed?

What makes India’s duty-based democracy a role model for non-Western post-colonial developing countries?

For answers, watch Episode 158 of the ‘Indian Diplomacy’ TV show on Doordarshan, featuring a discussion with the author and sociologist from the University of Sydney, Salvatore Babones.

🔗 https://youtu.be/DbZQY4_Nak0?si=IhUZ8OA0PbmI6nom

Watch this TV show to understand why India’s democracy is exceptional, extraordinary and resilient:

🔗 https://youtu.be/DbZQY4_Nak0?si=IhUZ8OA0PbmI6nom

As a nation, India is built on a specifically Hindu conceptualisation of a unified community. This Hindu consciousness has made India exceptional and successful as a democracy, says the American sociologist and author, Salvatore Babones. Watch the full episode of this TV show for more insights.

🔗 https://youtu.be/DbZQY4_Nak0?si=IhUZ8OA0PbmI6nom

International indices like those of the Varieties of Democracy (V-DEM) and Reporters Without Borders (RSF) show India to be regressing in democracy and press freedom because they rely on Indian “country experts” who falsify ground realities in India on account of their political biases and grudges against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government. Watch the full episode of this eye-opening TV show featuring the American sociologist Salvatore Babones for more insights.

📺 https://youtu.be/DbZQY4_Nak0?si=IhUZ8OA0PbmI6nom

India’s model of democracy based on Dharma or duty to the nation should be an inspiration for countries of the Global South like Indonesia, Nigeria or Bangladesh. This is because developing countries have traditional electorates and diverse societies, and India is the most successful democracy among them, says the American sociologist Salvatore Babones. Watch the full episode of this TV show to learn more.

🔗 https://youtu.be/DbZQY4_Nak0?si=IhUZ8OA0PbmI6nom

Which unique capabilities made ancient India the world’s largest economy and biggest player in global trade?

What were the effects of medieval-era Islamic invasions and conquests of India on its economic dynamism?

What was the total value of the plunder and drain of the Indian economy during British colonialism?

Why did post-independence India suffer snailish economic growth and why did Jawaharlal Nehru’s failed economic model persist for decades?

How did ‘outsider’ leaders like P.V. Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi put India back on track to become a global economic powerhouse?

For answers, watch Episode 159 of the ‘Indian Diplomacy’ TV show on Doordarshan, featuring a discussion with the economist and author, Prasenjit Basu.

🔗 https://youtu.be/iimVCqeO_5g?si=UDb3JdMfhzNXdpMi

🔗 https://youtu.be/iimVCqeO_5g?si=UDb3JdMfhzNXdpMi

Elitist post-independence leaders of India were disconnected from the needs of ordinary people and adopted disastrous economic policies. Sons of the soil like Lal Bahadur Shastri, Morarji Desai, PV Narasimha Rao, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Narendra Modi undertook vital reforms which put the Indian Economy back on track, says Prasenjit Basu. Watch the full episode of this TV show to learn more.

🔗 https://youtu.be/iimVCqeO_5g?si=UDb3JdMfhzNXdpMi

Ancient India dominated international trade and was the number one economy in the world because it led in textiles and shipping. Its dynamism came from openness to new ideas, innovations and challenges. It also had powerful political empires and enormous cultural influence from Southeast Asia up to the Middle East and beyond, says economist Prasenjit Basu. Watch the full episode of this TV show to learn more.

🔗 https://youtu.be/iimVCqeO_5g?si=MZPNpdH5slvBUoy2

What explains the growing salience of India for the European Union (EU)?

Can the historic EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) enhance strategic autonomy and preserve a rules-based international order?

How far can military cooperation go under the EU-India Security and Defence Partnership?

Is increasing wariness in the EU about China related to former’s embrace of India?

How viable is the EU-India mobility pact amidst a wave of anti-immigrant politics in Europe?

Could threats and pressures from third parties like the USA derail the expanding EU-India friendship?

For answers, watch Episode 160 of Dr. Sreeram Chaulia’s TV show on Doordarshan, featuring a discussion with Susanne Kamerling, Associate Fellow at the Leiden Asia Centre in the Netherlands.

🔗 https://youtu.be/jsyntfgYJIw?si=WHpZPrJBhtqiKE3m

🔗 https://youtu.be/jsyntfgYJIw?si=WHpZPrJBhtqiKE3m

The European Union has grown wary and concerned about China over its support for Russia in Ukraine and its aggressive trade and industrial policies. Yet, complete decoupling of the EU and China is not possible. Instead the EU is ‘de-risking’ by finding new partners like MERCOSUR and India, says Susanne Kamerling of the Leiden Asia Centre. Watch the full episode of this TV show for more insights.

🔗 https://youtu.be/jsyntfgYJIw?si=vqL0I0UcjlQuER7R

Have you read Professor Sreeram Chaulia’s column in today’s Hindustan Times on an important international topic?

The trade deal with the USA is a win for India on many counts. But it is still a Volatile, Uncertain, Complex and Ambiguous (VUCA) world, and India should continue pursuing its successful foreign policy that is based on diversification and multi-alignment. Please read Professor Sreeram Chaulia’s lead column in Hindustan Times and share your thoughts.

🔗 https://www.hindustantimes.com/opinion/washington-blinks-new-delhi-benefits-101770134711120-amp.html

What explains India’s increasing importance to Malaysia and other ASEAN countries?

How has Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim turned around Malaysia’s relations with India?

What are the avenues for expanding Malaysia-India trade, investment and supply chain integration?

How can Malaysia-India security and defence cooperation tackle shared threats?

Is India capable of subtly counterbalancing China and the USA in Southeast Asia?

How can Malaysia and India harness diaspora diplomacy and education diplomacy to deepen people-to-people links?

For answers, watch Episode 161 of Dr. Sreeram Chaulia’s TV show on Doordarshan, featuring the analyst and scholar from the University of Nottingham Malaysia, Dr. Chee Meng Tan.

🔗 https://youtu.be/Of3RYpDvOow?si=LlJ20a7IxQl23weA

🔗 https://youtu.be/Of3RYpDvOow?si=3UlhHFwbwCTXV5Sv

Have you watched Episode 161 of ‘Indian Diplomacy’ on Doordarshan? It features Dr. Chee Meng Tan of the University of Nottingham Malaysia and offers a 360-degree perspective on the strengthening comprehensive strategic partnership between Malaysia and India.

🔗 https://youtu.be/Of3RYpDvOow?si=_BeeNEBy9pVkJWqE