Asian Peace Talks Episode 9: Kishore Mahbubani and Kanti Bajpai on India's relations with China and Pakistan
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May 20, 2025 
Kanti Bajpai, a leading expert on Indian foreign policy and Vice Dean at the Lee Kuan Yew School, joins Kishore Mahbubani to discuss the intricate dynamics between India, China, and Pakistan. They delve into the ongoing tensions post-Kashmir conflict and the geopolitical implications of military disengagement agreements from October 2024. The conversation highlights the economic repercussions of trade policies, India's potential role in the Global South, and the cultural ties with Southeast Asia, revealing both challenges and opportunities for regional stability.
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Kashmir as Identity Symbol
- The core issue between India and Pakistan is Kashmir, which symbolizes national identity beyond territory.
- Kashmir’s Muslim majority and its historical accession to India complicate the relationship deeply for both sides.
Control Extremist Groups in Pakistan
- Pakistan should exert stronger control over extremist groups linked to terrorism to build trust with India.
- This step would be a small but critical confidence-building measure to ease ongoing tensions.
Modi's Pragmatic China View
- Narendra Modi sees China's developmental achievements as a model and strives for pragmatic economic relations.
- Political shifts and domestic factors influence the pace of India-China normalization efforts.