The Seen and the Unseen - hosted by Amit Varma Ep 357: Seema Sirohi and the View From Washington
Nov 27, 2023
Seema Sirohi, a foreign correspondent with over 30 years of experience covering US-India relations, joins Amit Varma to discuss her book and the love-hate relationship between both countries. They explore challenges of reporting, the diminishing space for different viewpoints in India, the complex dynamics of the US-India relationship, the Afghan war, the Indian nuclear deal, and the evolving India-US relations under different administrations. They also touch on challenges of decoupling from China, the future of trade, India's geopolitical scenarios, and offer advice to aspiring journalists.
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Balancing Bias in Reporting
- Seema Sirohi maintained true journalistic objectivity by avoiding biases from both Indian anti-American and American anti-India sentiments.
- She critically evaluated both sides to offer a balanced and nuanced narrative of India-US relations in her reporting.
Finding Belonging in College
- Seema attended St. Stephen's College as part of the third batch of women and felt like a misfit among elite students.
- She adapted by socializing outside the elite circles and later transferred to JNU for a more inclusive environment.
Reporting India's Turbulent 1980s
- Seema covered major crises in India including militancy in Punjab, the Golden Temple storming, and the Bhopal gas tragedy.
- She experienced detainment during her reporting and gained firsthand knowledge of the conflict zones and human suffering.