In Our Defence

Latest Episodes:

Decoding The Poonch-Rajouri Mess In Kashmir | In Our Defence S2, Ep 04 Dec 28, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor and host Dev Goswami explore the complexities of Jammu and Kashmir, focusing on the volatile districts of Rajouri and Poonch. They analyze a recent deadly ambush in Poonch that claimed the lives of four Indian Army jawans and the mysterious deaths of three civilians in Baffliaz, allegedly due to torture during Army questioning.
What makes Rajouri-Poonch, situated near the Line of Control, such a contentious flashpoint? Is the region's proximity to the border a key contributing factor to the volatility?
Shiv, drawing on his 20 years of experience and yearly visits to Kashmir, explains how the region's terrain provides terrorists with a vantage point, making it susceptible to violence. Despite incidents, there's another side—post the abrogation of Article 370, the region has seen reduced violations, leading to a four-fold increase in tourism in 2022 according to government data.
However, recurring incidents like the recent ambush raise concerns. Has peace and normalcy genuinely returned to the region? Are the youth truly disenchanted with the military, considering the decrease in militant recruits in 2023?
The duo digs into these details.
Listen in!
Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Dead or Alive, Why Dawood Ibrahim Weighs Heavy On India's Psyche | In Our Defence S2, Ep 03 Dec 21, 2023

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Dawood Ibrahim, the notorious figure behind the 1993 Mumbai blasts, is once again in the spotlight amid claims of being poisoned. Designated a global terrorist in 2003 by both India and the United States, Ibrahim carries a staggering $25 million bounty on his head due to his alleged orchestration of the 1993 Bombay bombings and involvement in various crimes such as extortion, murder, and smuggling.
Although rumours abound regarding his alleged poisoning and subsequent hospitalisation, reliable intelligence sources have discredited these claims.
But why does news about Dawood remain palatable to India? And how much of a threat is he actually to India?
It's been over four decades since he went into hiding, morphing into a shadowy figure. Does his ability to evade authorities raise questions about the failure of India's security apparatus and the potential mesh of corruption behind his rise?
And what are the practical difficulties in actually ‘poisoning’ Dawood?
India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor and host Dev Goswami discuss.
Listen in!
Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

Mystery of India's Enemies Being Killed by 'Unknown Gunmen' | In Our Defence S2, Ep 02 Dec 14, 2023

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In this episode, India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor Shiv Aroor joins host Dev Goswami to discuss a speculative yet intriguing topic – the mysterious deaths of individuals predominantly linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed or Lashkar-e-Taiba, deemed as anti-India elements, occurring in locations like Canada, the UK, and predominantly in Pakistan.
The most controversial case being that of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist leader and Canadian citizen. Canada PM Trudeau made a series of claims that alleged the involvement of Indian government agents in his killing.
In another case, the U.S. Department of Justice has indicted a senior Indian government intelligence official for allegedly plotting the assassination of U.S. citizen Gurpatwant Singh Pannun on American soil.
The deaths, often attributed to unidentified gunmen, have raised eyebrows and conspiracy theories, with questions such as: Does India have a covert hit squad, efficiently eliminating threats without detection?
Is there a discernible pattern to the deaths, and what is the rationale behind these covert operations? What is the modus operandi of India's R&AW agency, and can we decipher the truth behind these covert missions? Amidst the murky details, the hosts explore patterns, plausible explanations, and the historical context of India's covert operations.
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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

Israel-Hamas to India-China: What Future Holds In Store For These Conflicts | In Our Defence S2, Ep 01 Dec 07, 2023

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In Our Defence team is back and how! With a different avatar!
In Season 2, India Today TV Output’s Senior Executive Editor, Shiv Aroor, joins host Dev Goswami, where they will talk of more guns and battles, wars and coups, interspersed with tales of glory from the battlefields!
This episode delves into major global events—Russia's war in Ukraine, the India-China conflict, and the Israel-Hamas conflict. Shiv provides on-the-ground insights from Tel Aviv, analysing whether Israel, in combating terrorists, might inadvertently adopt tactics resembling those they oppose. He recounts a former IDF chief telling him, that “Israel will spend the next 25 years recovering its reputation”.
Why does the Israel-Hamas issue persist cyclically? What unfolds in the Russia-Ukraine war, and how concerned should India be? “I see a lot of blood between Russia and Ukraine next summer but the silver lining is that they will be in some way forced to a resolution,” Shiv says.
And what developments are on the horizon for the India-China front? 
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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

India-China to Russia-Ukraine: Looking At The Big Conflicts Facing The World| In Our Defence, Ep 82 Nov 09, 2023

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In Episode 82 of "In Our Defence," we share a special and bittersweet moment as we bid farewell to our insightful "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla, as he embarks on new endevaours.
Our Host Dev Goswami, and Abhishek take a nostalgic journey, reflecting on the highs and lows of the episodes done so far. What are the key takeaways from the diverse themes covered thus far?
They delve into significant global conflicts, including India-China, Russia-Ukraine, and Israel-Hamas, raising essential questions about the government's handling of the India-China issue. The military's unease about territorial access sparks curiosity – if the Indian government is not confrontational with China now, what guarantees access in the future?
Where do we foresee these conflicts, especially Russia’s invasion into Ukraine, evolving? Where do we see the war going?
PS: We will be back after a short break, with a different avatar!
Stay Tuned!
Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

Why Bollywood Lacks An Iconic War Epic | In Our Defence, Ep 81 Nov 02, 2023

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The recently released movie "Tejas," featuring Kangana Ranaut, has sparked a debate around nationalism, with the actress suggesting that every nationalist should watch her film. But regarding the intersection of cinema and nationalism - how problematic is it to equate patriotism with watching a particular movie?
Our host, Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla discuss everything about the representation of defence and war-themed movies in Bollywood, where the evolution from traditional heroism and patriotism to a more nuanced exploration of conflict is evident. The advent of OTT platforms has provided a broader canvas for storytelling, prompting inquiries into the impact and the role of nationalism in these narratives.
And what sets Indian cinema's representation of war and conflicts apart from Western cinema, and to what extent should war movies be fictionalised or based on factual positions? Are cinematic liberties justified in depicting wars and conflicts, and what about the glorification of machismo and hyper-masculinity in some over-the-top scenes? Political overtones in movies, exemplified by films like "Kashmir Files," also raise questions about the role of cinema in shaping public opinion.
Despite a wealth of war-themed content, why is there a lack of an iconic war epic in Bollywood, why Indian cinema hasn’t really done justice to a lot of material that's readily available, for example on the 1961 war with China, battle of Rezang La, 1971 war.
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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Kapil Dev Singh

Gaza War: What Will It Take For Israel To Completely Destroy Hamas? | In Our Defence, Ep 80 Oct 26, 2023

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Why do Indians seem to be more interested in the Israel-Hamas conflict compared to the Russia-Ukraine war, which has greater geopolitical impact and trade-business implications for India, considering the significant defense partnership with Russia?
Many Indians draw a simplistic parallel between Israel and themselves as victims of terror. Why is this belief prevalent, and why do our host, Dev Goswami, and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla hold differing views on this? What are the key differences and similarities between the situations of India and Israel?
Also, Israel has recently conducted a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and issued an ultimatum for the evacuation of 1.2 million civilians in northern Gaza. However, this ultimatum has expired without action yet. Given the evolving dynamics, will Israel consider a ground invasion due to growing threats from Hezbollah in the northern part and warnings from Iran about preemptive actions? Will this invasion happen? And will Israel be able to decimate Hamas amid such sort of pressure building against it? If yes, what happens to Gaza then?
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Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat

Gaza War: What Happens If Israel Invades From Ground? | In Our Defence, Ep 79 Oct 19, 2023

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Israel has launched a series of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, and there are preparations for a potential ground offensive. The Israeli military has issued an ultimatum, calling for the evacuation of 1.2 million civilians in northern Gaza, urging them to relocate to the southern part of the region.
On our show, Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla delve into the strategic implications of Israel's decision to launch a ground invasion. Israel's challenge lies in fighting a war in a densely populated area like Gaza, with a high risk of ambushes and booby traps. Drawing parallels with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, they highlight the increased risk of ambushes when transitioning from open areas to urban settings.
The discussion also revolves around how Israel, with its professional military, will contend with Hamas, a terrorist organization with a well-established military network. Can they simply bomb the ground tunnels that Hamas operates from? But the identification of these tunnels poses a significant challenge.
Can Israel fight the war tactically? Can Israel win the war just by the ground invasion?
And regarding the halo around Israeli security forces, we also discuss Fauda; why is it that such a series is mostly celebrated in India and not so much by the western media? Tune in to find out!
Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat

Israel-Hamas War: Looking At The Intel Goof Up And What's Next | In Our Defence, Ep 78 Oct 12, 2023

Show notes

The surprise attack launched by Hamas over the weekend is just the latest chapter in a seventy-year-long saga of war and strife between Israelis and Palestinians, with far-reaching consequences that have involved external powers and created turmoil in the broader Middle East.
Why does this conflict stand out as uniquely complicated compared to others? Unlike more straightforward conflicts with defined boundaries, the West Bank is a mosaic of distinct pockets, housing Palestinian and Jewish communities side by side.
To truly understand the complexities, it's important to not ignore its historical context. In this episode, our host, Dev Goswami, and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla, explore what triggered the conflict, scrutinise Israel's security intelligence, and ponder what the future holds.
There's a growing concern regarding Prime Minister Netanyahu's handling of Israel's security intelligence, as he was “caught off-guard”. Could this crisis erode faith in Netanyahu's leadership among the Israeli populace, as critics argue that his focus on judicial reforms might have distracted him from security matters. How has this attack impacted the global perception of Israel's defense capabilities?
The duo also discuss Hamas' motivation for launching an attack when they knew they wouldn't emerge unscathed. What drove this ‘strategic’ attack?
And then, there's the broader international context: how can the West support Ukraine but not extend similar support to the Palestinians in their quest for self-determination and security?
Join us as we seek to make sense of this ongoing crisis.
Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Nitin Rawat

India-Canada Row: Was India Caught Off Guard? | In Our Defence, Ep 77 Sep 28, 2023

Show notes

The row between India and Canada has only escalated and is showing no sign of ending soon. A lot has happened in the past week and in this podcast, our host Dev Goswami and "Def Savvy" Abhishek Bhalla do a comprehensive analysis on the various nuances that have unfolded.
With the responsibility now squarely on Trudeau to present supporting evidence, the pressure is on him to produce substantive material. Will he be able to?
Contrary to the prevailing narrative suggesting that Canada has been put in its place, what underlies the divergent perspective of the involved parties? Could this entire situation have been avoided with more proactive measures from both sides?
What are the nuances that are missing in the narratives that India is taking on against Canada?
What aspects of India's response may be deemed imprudent? Even after the conclusion of the G20 summit, ample time remained for a more assertive reaction. Why didn’t they react aggressively?
Tune in as the matter gets escalated and more muddled, more questions arise!
Produced by Anna Priyadarshini
Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

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