25 JUN 2024 · On June 23, gunmen attacked two churches, a synagogue, and a police post in Russia’s Dagestan region, killing at least 19 police officers, National Guard members, civilians, and an Orthodox priest and injuring 12 others. The attacks occurred in Derbent and Makhachkala. No group has claimed responsibility, but considering past attacks by Islamic militants in the region, can these attacks be linked to groups like the Islamic State? And despite evidence of homegrown terrorism in Russia, President Putin insists that Russia cannot be a target of Islamic fundamentalist attacks. Instead, it pins the blame on Ukraine. What explains this reluctance to acknowledge the presence of Islamic fundamentalists and the underlying resentment among Muslim conservatives in Russia? In this episode of Geeta's World, our host, Anna Priyadarshini, and the foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network, Geeta Mohan, discuss! Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

18 JUN 2024 · Switzerland hosted a two-day high-level Peace Summit for Ukraine last weekend, but Russia did not participate, dismissing it as a “waste of time.” So, can this peace summit meaningfully contribute to ending the war and ensuring regional peace without involving both parties in dialogue, given their differing views on 'peace'? Interestingly, many countries that once proposed peace plans—such as Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Indonesia, Brazil (which remained an observer), and China (which declined to participate)—dissociated from the summit's outcome document. Why did these countries, once advocates for peace plans, refuse to participate? In this episode of Geeta's World, our host, Anna Priyadarshini, and the foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network, Geeta Mohan, discuss! Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

11 JUN 2024 · Narendra Modi has secured a third term as India’s Prime Minister. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance won 293 seats, although, unlike the 2019 elections, the BJP itself did not achieve a majority. As Modi 3.0 begins, PM Modi has promised a “new chapter of big decisions” for India. But, considering the BJP is not a party with a brute majority anymore and relies on an NDA coalition instead, the scope of these decisions might be limited. Will major foreign policy decisions be hindered?  And will Modi 3.0 tweak India’s foreign policy at a time when foreign media is reporting about the state of Indian democracy and calling press freedom, political freedom and human rights into question? In this episode of Geeta's World, our host, Anna Priyadarshini, and the foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network, Geeta Mohan, discuss! Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

5 JUN 2024 · Mexico has elected Claudia Sheinbaum, a climate scientist and former mayor of Mexico City, as its new president, marking a significant step for gender parity. Concerns exist that Sheinbaum is a handpicked successor of her predecessor, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, better known as AMLO, and may be captive to his agenda. Critics argue she lacks charisma, and despite not being on the ballot, AMLO's influence loomed large during the election. So, have Mexicans placed more faith in the party than in Claudia? Is the mandate more for the left party? Will Sheinbaum's governance differ? Although intellectually a nationalist, her campaign emphasised policy continuity and protecting AMLO's legacy over her own proposals. In this episode of Geeta's World, our host, Anna Priyadarshini, and the foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network, Geeta Mohan, discuss! Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

21 MAY 2024 · On May 19, Iran's President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, and several other officials were killed in a helicopter crash in East Azerbaijan province. Raisi's death has sparked numerous speculations and conspiracy theories. Was it an accident? Was there foul play? Is Israel involved, or is it due to Iran's struggle with US sanctions that prevents it from obtaining necessary improved aircraft parts? What do we know so far? After years of negotiations, India and Iran signed a ten-year contract for the Iranian Chabahar Port. India and Iran have shared historical and cultural ties, and bilateral trade between the two nations improved after Raisi became President in 2021. Although the supreme leader made significant decisions, Raisi's presidency saw enhanced relations between the two. So, will this work in a continuum with a new president? In this episode of Geeta's World, our host, Anna Priyadarshini, and the foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network, Geeta Mohan, discuss! Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

16 MAY 2024 · After a two-year gap, China has regained its position as India’s largest trading partner, surpassing the United States. According to the latest GTRI report, from FY19 to FY24, while trade with the US grew, increasing India's trade surplus, India's exports to China slightly decreased, and Chinese exports to India surged by almost 45%. Does this mean the trade balance heavily favours China, with India facing a trade deficit of over $85 billion? This trade growth persists despite India's trade and investment restrictions on China since the 2020 Galwan clashes. Indian politicians often discuss reducing reliance on Chinese imports and boosting domestic manufacturing. So, why can't India stop trading with China? In this episode of Geeta's World, our host, Anna Priyadarshini, and the foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network, Geeta Mohan, discuss! Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

7 MAY 2024 · In Sudan, amidst enduring civil conflict, desperation has driven people to consume dirt for sustenance as the nation teeters on the brink of famine. Why does Sudan's civil strife persist despite over a year passing since its outbreak? Why has resolution remained elusive? Despite international efforts, including ceasefire agreements and sanctions, humanitarian assistance has reached only 16 per cent of people who need it. Has the international community's response adequately addressed the power struggle at play? In this episode of Geeta's World, our host, Anna Priyadarshini, and the foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network, Geeta Mohan, discuss! Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

30 APR 2024 · The anti-Israel protests, originating at Columbia University in the US, are gaining momentum globally on university campuses. The police have intervened violently, with videos emerging from different states showing hundreds of students – and even faculty members – being forcefully arrested. Despite the harsh response, the students' resolve remains unshaken. They continue to pitch tents and stand their ground. So, why are students persisting, and what are their demands? Large student movements have influenced public opinion and policy throughout American history, like the Anti-Apartheid Movement in the 1980s. So, can these protests spark a significant foreign policy shift in the country? In this episode of Geeta's World, our host, Anna Priyadarshini, and the foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network, Geeta Mohan, discuss! Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

25 APR 2024 · Pro-China Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu's People's National Congress party has secured a two-thirds majority in the Majlis. With this absolute parliamentary dominance, what previously obstructed policies can the current government push through? But is Muizzu's win really a vote against India, given his vocal support for it, or are there other factors that played out? And why did the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) lose so badly? How did Maldivians lose trust in the MDP? In this episode of Geeta's World, our host, Anna Priyadarshini, and the foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network, Geeta Mohan, discuss! Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi

9 APR 2024 · After the Katchatheevu Island controversy, now Gwadar Port, in Pakistan's Balochistan province, has become a focal point in India's upcoming general elections. The BJP has accused the then PM Jawaharlal nehru of rejecting the Gwadar port , which the Sultan of Oman had apparently offered to India in 1956. If it's true, what would have happened if Nehru hadn't rejected the offer? What could have changed? Despite security challenges and unrest in Balochistan, China remains invested in Pakistan's BRI. What's the incentive for China to continue in Pakistan? Our host Anna Priyadarshini and foreign affairs editor at India Today, TV Today Network Geeta Mohan discuss in this episode of Geeta's World! Listen in! Produced by Anna Priyadarshini Sound Mix by Sachin Dwivedi