Ajay Bisaria, Distinguished Fellow at the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), previously served as India’s High Commissioner to Pakistan. Sushant Sareen, also a Senior Fellow at ORF, an expert on Pakistan and security issues in the region.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the two discuss how India should respond to the recent terror attack in Pahalgam. They talk about the importance of being precise and strategic if India decides to take military action against Pakistan.

The conversation also explores how the world might react if tensions between the two countries increase. Will India and Pakistan get support from their allies? What role will global powers like the US, Russia, and China play?

*Timestamps:*

00:00 – Introduction

00:40 – India’s Strategy Against Pakistan

08:50 – Pakistani Citizens' Views on India

19:50 – Casualties in War

33:11 – 'Dirty Work' of Terrorism

45:55 – Pak Army Chief's Role in Pahalgam Attack

54:40 – Pakistan’s ‘False Flag Operation’ Claim

1:03:15 – Pakistanis living in Kashmir

1:22:02 – Indus Water Treaty

1:32:28 – India-Pakistan Airspace Standoff

1:38:48 – Pakistani YT Channels Blocked

Manjeev Singh Puri is a retired Indian diplomat from the 1982 batch of the Indian Foreign Service, with a distinguished career spanning over 36 years. He last served as India’s Ambassador to Nepal. Over the course of his career, he held key positions in India and abroad, representing the country at major multilateral organisations including the United Nations and the European Union.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Manjeev Singh Puri discusses Nepal’s shifting political landscape, including recent protests calling for the return of the monarchy and the ongoing debate over the future of democracy in the country.

He also explores Nepal’s foreign relations, from China’s growing influence to its ties with the West and Pakistan, as well as the role of identity politics in fuelling unrest.

Puri also highlights how Nepali politicians often use anti-India narratives and the “India card” to fuel nationalist sentiment and gain political advantage

00:00 – Introduction

02:23 – Pro-Monarchy Protests in Nepal

06:57 – Democracy’s Crisis in Nepal

14:22 – Identity Politics in Nepal

18:45 – India-Nepal Relations

26:06 – China’s Diplomacy in Nepal

32:27 – Nepal's Foreign Policy

34:35 – Pakistani Embassy Used for Spying

38:45 – Roti-Beti Tradition

46:59 – Monarchy's Return and Impact on India

Bilal Lone is a former separatist and the elder son of Abdul Gani Lone, the Hurriyat Conference leader who founded the People’s Conference. Bilal was part of the Hurriyat Conference delegation that met Deputy Prime Minister L.K. Advani in Delhi in 2004. His younger brother, Sajjad Lone, is currently a member of the Jammu and Kashmir assembly. Bilal was aligned with the Mirwaiz faction of the Hurriyat when it split into two groups — the so-called moderates led by Mirwaiz and the hardliners led by Syed Ali Shah Geelani.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Abdul Gani Lone states that the terrorists who attacked Pahalgam do not represent the mindset of all Kashmiris. He emphasises that the people of Kashmir want peace and do not want to be associated with radical elements.

He also advocates for a war with Pakistan, urging that it should be settled once and for all, for the sake of all Kashmiris. Abdul Gani Lone also explains why he stopped visiting Pakistan and stepped away from separatist leadership, sharing the reasons that led to a change in his perspective.

00:00 – Introduction

01:55 – Normalcy in Kashmir

06:07 – Local Support for Terrorists

13:16 – Conflict Zone of Kashmir

16:44 – Hurriyat's Ties with Pakistan

19:59 – Extremism in Kashmir

25:59 – Tourists Saved by Locals

29:26 – Kashmir Leaders Unite

33:19 – Indus Treaty on Hold

39:45 – Kashmir's Tourism Industry Setback

48:37 – Kashmiri Pandits' Exodus

52:31 – PM Modi's Warning to Terrorists

58:09 – BJP in Kashmir

1:07:55 – AS Dulat's Book Row

1:09:55 – Advani's Meeting with Hurriyat Leaders