The Problems with Westphalian Nation-State System

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We all associate ourselves with various identities such as Indians, Chinese, Pakistani, Americans, Canadians, French, British and much more. Why do you think we all associate with all these more? Are there any other identities which people associate with?  The identities which I mentioned before are relatively new compared to other identities such as religion, language, caste, and various other identities. It is not to say that people never had such feelings towards nations or the state. But the idea of loyalty and love for the motherland was very important which offset various other identities. The question we are arriving at is what is the motherland, who made and how it formed.  What we refer to today as a Nation or Country refers to what we know in political science as a Nation-State. Today almost all the countries we know are categorised Nation-States and some even as State-Nations. International Relations and Political Science suggest that states are the most important a...
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A podcast on Indian Foreign Policy

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Desperate times require desperate actions. With tensions rising between India and neighbours. My friend Rohit interview Kavith and myself on Indian foreign policy with India's neighbours in the form of a podcast.

The podcast was recorded on 19th June and released a few days later. It was recorded purely in Malayalam for the benefit of listeners. This will be a brief summary of the podcast in English.

Read my previous podcast summary on geopolitics.

Summary

The podcase begins with the introduction of the topics and the panellists by moderator Rohith Krishnan. Both Kavith and Jairam, are Political enthusiasts who focus on International Politics and are prominent MUNners in the circuit. 

Rohith asks the first question to Jairam, regarding the June 15 incident where Indian and Chinese soldiers engaged in skirmishes in the border, to which Jairam explains the history of the formation of "Line of Actual Control" and why is it an unsettled border and prone to such skirmishes, also briefly mentioned about the massive infrastructural developments taking place on both sides. The next question was to Kavith, regarding the reason behind China's rude behaviour to which he replies that abrogation of Art 370 can be a good reason for the same. 

The moderator then asks a question regarding China's Foreign Policy and treatment of its neighbours and how does it treat India differently or is it same with everyone. Both Kavith and Jairam explained about various territorial disputes China has and compared Chinese aggression in Galwan Valley and with others. Jairam discussed how we can overcome China's superiority ie by making India strong ie, through manufacturing, FDI, attracting foreign businesses and not by calling for a boycott China.  movement. Kavith briefly talks about China's geopolitical ambitions, the BRI, the Trade War and various of how China is competing against the US in several fronts and its implications on International Relations. 

The second topic was India's relations with Nepal. Kavith pretty much well emphasised on the importance of India to Nepal and narrated a story interdependence between the two nations. He said that recent stand taken by India, with respect to Nepal, made it closer with China. Nepal is now an important partner of China, replacing India, which is a matter of concern that New Delhi needs to address and change claims Jairam. He also emphasised BRI and how India is being encircled by China on all sides and New Delhi cannot let it happen. 

Next topic on the card was about Sri Lanka, which was coincidental when the issue of Hambantota port investment by China came up. Sri Lanka has been distancing away from India and is more of China's partner. Kavith explains that entire BRI itself is a debt trap for many developing nations, and its a part of China's geoeconomics. 

The podcast ended with a positive that India needs to find itself in a proper place, require friendly relations with its neighbours and not anger them. As said, the relationship with neighbours is far more important than others. 


Link 1- https://open.spotify.com/show/7qhYYFfHbvJhsaCucaxVaX

Link 2 - https://radiopublic.com/indian-foreign-policy-recent-evo-WkZDoN

Link 3- https://pca.st/r530ha5m

Link 4- https://overcast.fm/itunes1519482168/indian-foreign-policy-recent-evolutions

Link5-https://podcasts.google.com/?feed=aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy8yNmE1NWRmNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw&ep=14


I have also started my own podcast series- 

Spotify| Anchor| Google | Radio Republic 

This is just a glimpse of the entire podcast, do listen to the podcast from following links for a detailed discussion of India's foreign policy. 
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Thank you all for your patient reading and listening to the podcast. 



Do read all posts on this blog by clicking on Info Daily.

Follow me on Medium too... Keep following the blog for more interesting, informative and useful Stories.

 

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