Episode Details

Samir Saran is the President of the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), a think tank that provides independent analysis on security, strategy, the economy and development. He is known for his unfiltered views on global affairs, technology and India’s foreign policy.

In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses what comes next for Donald Trump after the Republican defeat in the US midterm elections and how India can deal with his administration. The discussion also covers the India–US trade deal, India–China ties and Pakistan’s decision to bet on Trump.

00:00 - Introduction

01:23 - Farhan Akhtar Comparison

02:54 - US Midterm Results

05:27 - Trump’s Next Move

07:36 - Iran War

09:30 - No Superpowers Left

12:30 - Middle East Perspective

18:44 - US Foreign Policy

20:50 - Trump Family Deals

21:56 - America’s Gulf Retreat

25:30 - Fears of Stronger Iran

27:48 - Weaponising Trade Routes

30:06 - India’s Multi-Alignment Strategy

33:53 - Defence Pacts Tested

36:06 - Tech Billionaires & Data Centres

39:43 - Democrats vs Republicans

43:30 - Better India–US Deal?

49:11 - Who Controls Trump?

51:06 - JD Vance’s Setback

52:30 - Rubio’s Jamnagar Visit

54:24 - Rare Earth Opportunity

55:46 - Investing in America

56:54 - Attracting Global Investment

59:56 - Trump, Putin and Xi

1:01:02 - Russian Oil Pressure

1:02:06 - Ukraine War’s Future

1:10:51 - Can America Contain China?

1:14:02 - Lessons from China

1:15:57 - Progressive Democrats and India

1:18:19 - Musk’s Political Gamble

1:20:36 - India–China Security Challenge

1:24:14 - China’s Manufacturing Dominance

1:28:38 - India’s Technology Future

1:31:00 - Pakistan’s Trump Bet

1:36:56 - Investigating Trump’s Deals

1:38:42 - US Presidential Race 2028

1:41:51 - Closing Remarks