Rajat Ganguly, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Asian Security & International Affairs: Insights on Asian Geopolitics & Security
- Shift from early ambitions in law to deep interest in international relations during the 1980s.
- Influences: The Non-Aligned Movement, major geopolitical events in India (e.g., 1971 Bangladesh War, Operation Blue Star).
Podcast
Overview
Dive into this enlightening episode of The Brand Called You, as host Ashutosh Garg sits down with Dr. Rajat Ganguly, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs. Dr. Ganguly brings a wealth of experience from academia across the US, UK, Australia, and New Zealand to unpack pressing issues in Asian security, focusing particularly on India, China, and Pakistan. Here’s a breakdown of the conversation with key topics covered at notable timestamps:
00:01:06-What inspired Dr. Ganguly’s journey into political science and international affairs?
- Shift from early ambitions in law to deep interest in international relations during the 1980s.
- Influences: The Non-Aligned Movement, major geopolitical events in India (e.g., 1971 Bangladesh War, Operation Blue Star).
- Academic trajectory: Studies in India, PhD in the US, and professional stints in New Zealand, the UK, and Australia.
00:02:30-How did his global academic experience shape his view on Asian geopolitics?
- Observing Asia from both inside (as an Indian) and outside (living abroad).
- Noting the historic dominance of global power centers in the Global North and their influence on Asian affairs.
- Recognition of the shifting power dynamic as Asia, and the Global South more broadly, emerges as an economic and military force.
00:04:38-How has India’s strategic thinking evolved post-Cold War and post-Galwan?
- The shift from “non-alignment” to pragmatic “multi-alignment” or “poly-alignment.”
- Adapting to a unipolar, US-led world post-Soviet Union collapse.
- Strategic recalibration: Building closer ties with diverse global players (e.g., USA, Russia, Israel, France) to safeguard national interests, particularly amid the rise of China.
00:08:31-How do India’s Act East policy and leadership in the Global South complement each other?
- Act East policy: Focusing on economic partnerships and people-to-people links—not alliances—in East Asia and with countries like Japan, South Korea, and Australia.
- India’s role in BRICS: Middle ground approach, seeking to give the Global South a stronger voice while avoiding direct confrontation with the Global North.
00:11:28-To what extent has India balanced strategic autonomy with growing US ties?
- India maintains strategic autonomy, as seen in refusing US mediation in Kashmir and not joining US-led security alliances.
- Pragmatic cooperation with the US in trade, technology, and supply chains, while pushing back on American pressure where necessary.
00:14:41-How do ASEAN nations differ in response to China’s assertiveness in the South China Sea?
- Economic dependence on China versus discomfort with Chinese bullying.
- ASEAN nations’ nuanced approach: Balancing the need for economic partnership with concerns about sovereignty and growing US-China tensions.
RESOURCES:
Learn more about Rajat Ganguly: Linkedin
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Profile
- Shift from early ambitions in law to deep interest in international relations during the 1980s.
- Influences: The Non-Aligned Movement, major geopolitical events in India (e.g., 1971 Bangladesh War, Operation Blue Star).
- Academic trajectory: Studies in India, PhD in the US, and professional stints in New Zealand, the UK, and Australia.
