EP-379 | Venezuela Crisis, Trump’s Foreign Policy, Greenland, Chinese Weapons & India | Amb. Ashok Sajjanhar

Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar served in the Indian Foreign Service for over three decades. During his distinguished career, he served as India’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Sweden, and Latvia, and held key diplomatic assignments in Washington, D.C., Brussels, Moscow, Geneva, Tehran, Dhaka, and Bangkok. Today, Ambassador Sajjanhar regularly writes and speaks on issues related to international relations and India’s foreign policy.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ambassador Sajjanhar discusses the United States’ actions in Venezuela and what this means for global politics. He also talks about Chinese weaponry, which he claims failed to perform during the Venezuelan crisis. The conversation further explores why Indian godmen enjoy a massive following in South American countries, a phenomenon that often surprises many.

Ambassador Sajjanhar also shares his views on Donald Trump’s interest in buying Greenland, the way the US is handling trade negotiations with India, and what the future may hold for India’s foreign policy.

00:00 – Introduction

01:08 – US move to capture Maduro legitimate?

04:33 – Narco-terrorism charges against Venezuela

05:54 – When US captured Manuel Noriega (1989)

08:27 – Can the US run Venezuela?

11:41 – Venezuela is not just about oil

15:21 – Venezuela & Sathya Sai Baba connection

17:54 – Can Trump buy Greenland?

20:17 – Europe on Venezuela crisis & Greenland

24:31 – Putin’s war in Ukraine legitimate?

26:20 – China’s weapons failed in Venezuela

29:05 – China vs USA: The No. 1 global rivalry

34:00 – Will China invade Taiwan?

37:10 – India’s response to Maduro's capture

41:54 – India’s crude oil needs

44:19 – India–USA trade tensions

50:14 – India’s pivot towards China

52:28 – China–Pakistan–Bangladesh nexus