This podcast explores India's emerging power in the global order and its crisis with Canada. It discusses India's views on the Israel-Palestine conflict, the implications for domestic politics in China, Russia, and India, and the potential ramifications of the conflict. It also explores the impact on multicultural societies worldwide, the attempt to ban the Palestinian flag in the UK, and the feeling of alienation faced by those who believe in justice and equality.
India's shift towards hyper-nationalism is reshaping its foreign policy and impacting global politics.
India's support for Israel reflects its aspiration for recognition as a major power, despite contradictions with its ruling party's ideologies.
Deep dives
Pankaj Mishra on the Shift in Indian Mentality
The podcast episode discusses the major shifts in Indian mentality and worldview that have occurred over the last 25 years. It highlights the hyper-nationalism that has emerged, leading India to see itself as an aspiring superpower and adopt a more belligerent and aggressive stance. This shift is seen as a surprise to many outside of India, but signs of it have been present in Indian newspapers, movies, and cultural events. The episode explores how this hyper-nationalism impacts India's relations with other countries, particularly in the context of conflicts in the Middle East, such as the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Impact of Hyper-Nationalism on India's Support for Israel
The podcast episode delves into the topic of India's support for Israel and its impact on the country's domestic and foreign policies. It explains that the sentiment of admiration and sympathy for Israel among Hindu nationalists in India has been present for decades and has now become more widespread. However, the episode also highlights the contradiction in this support, as the party ruling India today has an explicit connection to the European far right and the founder quoted Mein Kampf approvingly, while also expressing sympathy for Israel's use of force. This support for Israel reflects India's aspiration to be recognized as a major power and to act with impunity, even as it deals with its own internal and foreign conflicts.
Catch-Up Nationalism in India and Its Manifestations
The podcast episode explores the concept of catch-up nationalism in India and how it manifests in Indian politics. It explains that catch-up nationalism is driven by a sense of envy, insecurity, and a desire to catch up with the established powers. India, as a postcolonial country, has also been playing this catch-up game, aspiring to be recognized as a great power and invoking its civilizational past. The episode draws parallels between catch-up nationalism in India and the experiences of Germany and Japan in the late 19th and 20th centuries. It also highlights the volatility and insecurity that come with this nationalism, both domestically and in how these countries interact with the world.
Consequences of Rising Nationalism for Democracy and Human Rights
The podcast episode examines the consequences of rising nationalism, particularly in India, for democracy and human rights. It argues that nationalism often overwhelms democratic institutions and leads to repression of political opposition. This is seen in India, where the rise of hyper-nationalism has resulted in a strong nationalist sentiment allied with Hinduism. The implications for domestic politics in India are concerning, as civil rights and basic rights are under attack, and there is a growing alignment between the state and substantial parts of civil society. The episode also highlights the global trend of increasing repression against individuals and institutions fighting for civil rights in various countries, including India.
The Indian government was locked in a crisis over its alleged assassination of a Canadian citizen when a war between Israel and Palestinians in the Gaza Strip broke out that threatens to upend the global order. As the liberal international system begins to fray under these pressures, Indian author and journalist Pankaj Mishra joins host Murtaza Hussain on this week's Intercepted to discuss how the war in the Middle East is reshaping global politics, the evolution of India’s foreign policy, and its crisis with Canada over an alleged assassination.
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