2 brilliant minds talk: ex-NSA Shiv Shankar Menon & Prof C. Raja Mohan discuss the Chinese challenge

[@-Harambe]

Ambassador Menon is amazing. He tells it as it is. Thank you sir!

[@AliAhmed-ku3wz]

♥ 😘 From Pakistan 🇵🇰 ♥ 😘 to our beloved shivshankar menon. We Pakistanis love him immensely bcz of being Indian ambassador in our country

[@SanjayKumar-fc2qg]

Excellent, in-depth analysis by two highly engaging, scholarly practitioners of Realpolitik. A pleasure to watch, more so because dear Jyoti is absent. Phewwww

[@gyaltsenwangchuk7669]

On whatever and whenever Mr. Menon speaks it is enourmously interesting and informative - full of sense and logics. Thank you, sir. Great to hear you always.

[@unnikrishnannair9880]

With due respect to both , you guys are 'super specialists' on China for decades . But you could not foresee the Chinese unfolding game plan ?? Could you ,Menon, not force your Govt's hand on being prepared for military contigencies?? Why did you, as NSA , not expedite the raising of a Mountain corps ??? It took 20 yrs !! Now both of you are waxing eloquent....., closing the stables after the horses have bolted !! You guys are doing cocktail circuits now & trying to give Gyaan !! Any fool knows what China is upto now....your job was to ANTICIPATE!!

[@manjurekhuda7156]

They talked brilliantly with empty solution not in past and not for future.

[@arindammandal1987]

Thats right,bang on,thats what i am thinking too

[@arindammandal1987]

They are the Congress lickers

[@arindammandal1987]

This bureaucracy has brought us to this situation

[@parth.chopra]

@unni Brilliantly said!!!

[@himanshuarora6132]

So insightful and so articulate. Loving #ThePrint coverage/interviews on geo-political issues

[@changamanga100]

US is going home and it has asked India to help against China. US, Japan & Australia (not mentioning India) have largest trading partner: China. All 3 nations want India to fight China. Now it is for India to decide, OR may be India has already decided ? After Ladakh, we can just say; Best of Luck to India !!

[@onlybpsc4245]

This channel insight takeaways is really boost for intellectual potential for me it's indepth analysis.. Thanks a lot sir

[@Yo_uj]

Felt the info was authentic, not just to my conscience but also for the nation's perspective 👍

[@shyamk4257]

This Menon guy is sharmal shiekh disaster

[@nvspraneeth901]

Mr Menon seems to be a great advocate of Chinese point of view

[@shsumanta393]

This is man is still talking. That is the sign we are still weak.

[@alokeprasad9343]

A good interview .

[@skyy4548]

Great interview!

[@vijayawadac5645]

It’s basically these type of advisory like Menon of past governments has allowed India to look weak and accepted China is rising and we are second to it kind of attitude..By 2014 India is vulnerable , weak maritime security , corrupt politicians and brokers of China , allowed to slip its position..They were happy to maintain status quo and never had spine to compete and change status

[@bonaku20]

Really ? Maybe some substantial proof would help us a lot

[@rohansamanta7819]

Glad that all the Indira era graduates are no more in the Bureaucracy.

[@arunachalamvallinayagam2440]

When Mr.Shivshankar says Chinese scholars feel that from 2012 onwards India started to go with USA instead of remaining neutral, does he reflect Chinese opinion or his own? Neither the questions nor the answers was strong in presenting how Chinese aggressive ambitions and refusing to treat India as equal was always guiding Chinese policies, which can be seen in China building dams, railway etc.in POK without even discussing with India about their concerns, opposing India’s entry to UNSC( When the seat was given to India, Mr.Nehru was magnanimous enough ( or so naive ?) to support China’s entry into UNSC), supplying arms to Pak, supporting the terrorists in Pak, interfering in India’s internal affairs by commenting on the creation of Ladakh union territory and now to be aggressive against India all along the border.PM Modi tried his best to build up a beautiful relationship with China, but Chinese have never bothered about good relationship with India. It is the fate of Chinese people to tolerate all human right violations and ill treatment of Its own citizens by CCP, for they believe if you are fed well you don’t have to worry about your neighbour or family member. India can not tolerate Chinese bad behaviour any more.

[@bhakthasingh8198]

Modi Government didn't have a longtime strategy or insight of the repercussions it might have, when it wanted to see drastic changes in Kashmir with Article 370 and CAA. This government thought that it was going to be only internal issue. Previous PMs knew and understood the implications and didn't want to open the Pandora's box. Top leaders of this government take rash decisions without seeing the future impacts and don't know how to get out of the situations. The society, which voted this government voted not for economic, political and social wellbeing of the State as a whole; they voted with a load of hatred they carry for hundreds of years with their own citizens and their neighbours. We are left with no other go but to prove our strength by fighting wars with our neighbours rather. We already have shut out all the doors for mutual dialogues. Explicit words and political moves of unwise politicians have put our Diplomats at a disadvantage. Their failure will lead only to military build up and costly military actions to solve border issues. Or they will give up our positions for a compromise successfully keeping the common citizens in dark. West is trying to sell their arms and fight China at the cost of India. India has already fallen into that trap. Investments are not coming in because of the hate we have and poor and brutal implementation of our policies.

[@Rahul-ki8ps]

@@bhakthasingh8198 you've made valid points. @Arunachalam As long as the current leadership in India persists with Machiavellian agendas with foolish arrogance, it's gonna keep making things worse for India, internally and externally.

[@galaxyofvid2738]

@@bhakthasingh8198 you said it right the hatred they spew and assume and hope that neigbours will rush to them and hug them!

[@kunaldavey5066]

I have no doubt about Menon's contribution to script secret deals and MoUs, in the name of peaceful periphery. His comment on policy through stealth is a humble confession.

[@prasad7553]

Sivashankar Menon is a popcorn foreign secretary. He wrote that CAA would isolate India. Nothing such thing happened. When he was foreign secretary and NSA he tried his best to favour China. Now he writes articles against India to suit NY Times etc to earn dollars. He is just a career diplomat with nil intellectual depth.

[@prasad7553]

@Rohan Krishna Nehru also saw big picture. India lost Aksi chin. Had SSMenon continued as NSA entire Ladakh would have gone.

[@balkaransidhu5334]

There is no in between… Only China dominating in South Asia.

[@texantrails3093]

As per Mr Menon, India always wants prosper and peaceful neighbors. But in reality its inverse. India is the one who nurtured and trained Nepalese Moist insurgents in their country so as Tamil Tigers of Shri Lanka. Shyam Sharan and Pranab Mukharjee had written their biography and accepted. One day India has to answer in all these in International Criminal court.

[@sunderviswanath6180]

I am amazed with most of the bureaucracy , especially the foreign affairs, the thinking and overview were / are short sighted. An ordinary Indian gets a feeling, that the officials are just giving a commentary on history but the common man don't get a feeling that they are proactive and take steps that are aggressive and far reaching in our favour. We are very soft in our comments and expressing our views on world affairs. This is the main reason that all our neighbours over look us and are looking beyond India for help. I think we need to be proactive. We also need to enhance our military assets, more on make in India so that the dependence on external agencies are minimised or better still brought to zero. We should ramp up defence expenditure to USD 400 Billion incrementally in the next 4 years. I am looking for the day when India says something, the world should should sit up and listen.

[@medialcanthus9681]

Fix the poverty first, the world will sit up.

[@GururajBN]

I am too ordinary a man to comment about the aptness of views expressed by Mr.Shivshankar Menon. But, his comment at the tail end that movement in the borders should be made more free and should not criminalize them seems too lofty when compared with the ground reality. Illegal infiltration is a serious problem to Indian society, economy and security. It is on record that many of them engage in anti-India activities. How can India throw open its border to neighbourhood disregarding the security concerns? It would do well to remember that the hijackers of Air India flight during Vajpayee's rule and taken to Afghanistan happened through the porous border between India and Nepal. The hijackers entered India through Nepal.

[@manjulavk7634]

Thank god these two guys are not in the Govt now, thank thank thank god sitting and talking to each other like this is harmless.

[@MrSudhir61]

Heavy duty academics. Fortunately not appearing for any current affairs exam.

[@faridhassan8621]

Presently the current p .m is busy in Hindu Muslim. Hope it will wake up or get itself educated !!!!

How?...

[@prashanthb6521]

When muslims stop Muslim-Muslim, Modi will stop Hindu-Muslim. Sure !

[@vikas776]

@@prashanthb6521 Kabhi apni galti bhi maan leni chaiye. Dont support any gov. They work for us not the opposite. Whatever u think or believe about current government it does not negate the fact regarding the current situation of our country. Economy is at the worst, less mutual interest nations with us & we are more divided than ever.

[@manjurekhuda7156]

Two brilliant mind left no stone unturned to show how grave challange India is facing with all hypothetical solution. China should never be a challenge in the first place. If She was taken partner of understanding and development, Asia would dominate the world development. India would be in the better position with the subcontinental power house which could have include Pakistan, Bangladesh Nepal Srilanka and Bhutan. India focused on Pakistan too much and too long and showing big brother with other neighbours. Destroyed SAARC and made friendship with Israel and America. Brilliant talk goes on but the best solution remain untouched.

[@vchitnis]

Shiv Shankar Menon was the best mole China ever had in the Government of India. Too bad for China that the Congress lost power. Frankly, it is stunning to hear the ex-NSA casually accept Chinese arms support to every adversary of India (external and internal as well) as acceptable. Clearly, Menon did not have India's security in mind when he was dispensing advice as National Security Advisor.

[@ismt101]

@Rohan Krishna "narrowed attitude" really!!!! Go back in time and tell Ho chi Minn that his guerrilla army is no match for USA and china. They can't defeat the most powerful army in the world and not certainly the great Mao Zedong and that his army should surrender like some ex indian nsa wants his country to surrender to avoid hardship

[@khayalipulao6588]

Hey @ThePrint, What did Mr. SSM say @ 12:31, He said something like " One Swallow doesn't make a summer, one ________ doesn't make a maritime power."

[@madhuramaswamy1686]

Zheng He

[@khayalipulao6588]

@@madhuramaswamy1686 O Yes the Chinese Explorer

[@aftabahmad6786]

Such people are real assets of South aisa

[@raghurampillarisetty7529]

Borders were open. Because of certain reasons we became circumspect. Nepal is still a open border. Why is Nepal moving away towards China (which has a closed border with them I think ). This sort self defeating advocacy is puzzling

[@-Harambe]

It is due to us talking in antagonizing tone and manners towards Nepal. We have border issues with Nepal something we schrug them off anytime they raise the border issues. Bangladesh, similar issues. We should all treat each others with respect and get a long.

[@MultiSadmad]

Irreversible damage done by SSM and his school of thought over may years . They had a free run with a political establishment which abdicated its strategy and policy roles to the likes of SSM and Nirupama Rao. We had it coming, just a matter of timing that the cookies crumbled in 2020.

[@SwapanChakravarthy]

SSMenon misses the fact that in Australia, China have candidates elected to influence local politics and the Government is marshalling plans to fight. Indeed in the last six years they had no less than five PMs. The cheque book diplomacy that started 20-year ago is a new version of East-India Company. From India’s point of view blocking CPEC is the game-plan. That will null Pakistan. Becoming a Maritime Power is an open question, unless China has a fleet of IOR specific ships. My guess is that will fail. Afghanistan is another factor. The former Northern Front will rise with India's support and India’s military role will come through territory Wokan. I see the potential of a long term conflict and the signs of Ladakh today demonstrate that EAM will now have to listen to toughened stance by the Indian military who are going to be a major element in the dynamics in the next few years.

[@ravikumarmaddu1799]

It's very simple, Indian neighbors don't see India worth respecting, we are poor, we lack infrastructure etc. etc... Why would I stick to a person who is weak, can't stand on anything, have their own shit to clean, why the hell I would look up to such a powerless neighbour. India should give up being apologetic on everything, we should do what lies in our interest without thinking much about the it's ramifications of it.

[@vivektripathi6459]

Good discussion

[@Rahul-ki8ps]

Would've been great if the conversation had run longer. It's always a pleasure to hear Mr Menon's take.

[@ravi5058]

Don't call Shiv Shankar Menon brilliant mind, he has no intellectual capacity in dealing with a challenging situation, he is just a retired Babu (IFS) who aced UPSC exam in his days and got in and then did the ordinary work like all ordinary govt employees like clerks, but yes get paid more than the clerks. Menon, was Foreign Sec in 2008, when 26/11 happened what was his response in dealing with Pakistan ?? Nothing zilch. He became NSA also due to glowing recommendations from previous NSA and fellow mallu MK Narayanan. So this Menon is anything but brilliant.

[@balluwarasi1883]

Sidhu desh Sidhu desh Sidhu desh Sidhu desh Sidhu desh. Jiye Sidh. Punjabi Army go back. Go Niazi Go. . Go back army. Azadi Azadi. Azadi Azadi... We want our culture back. We want Sindhi language, songs and festivals...Go Bajwa go....Go Niazi go. Jiye Sindh..We want our Zamin....we want our dhoop...we want our Azadi....

[@alimoosavi2935]

Experts getting too close to the trees and missing the forest. The main issue is who is willing to live with 350 years old Anglo-Saxon world order. China and Russia have decided to confront it and want Muslims as allies, starting with large Muslim nations like Pakistan, Iran and Turkey. These Muslim nations have smaller population than Indonesia but they are the largest Muslim nations in the Muslim landmass at the juncture of three continents. Incidentally these three countries are also neighbors. This Muslim landmass is about six times larger than India and contains every mineral resource an industry needs.

[@pam4840]

He is an accomplish diplomat. But don't know why he is so submissive to Chinese aggression. India China are competitors and India cannot pretend everything is okay and the appeasement policy followed by Congress has fallen flat take the case of infra which I India didn't develop to appease them.

There is no doubt that if anyone can challenge China that is India but after 50 or 100 years, I mean even realising the fact that India is not an immediate threat to them but by provoking India they have deliberately reduced the period to 30 - 40 years by pushing India to America the same country from which China benefited from since the '80s, In simple language, Mr Xi is like a blessing in disguise for India that's why India has to at least, for now, act submissive to China as far as possible which current Indian government is doing it's best, Note - China is not just provoking India but her other neighbours too...India is not a rich nation and surrounded by poor nation's while on China's doorstep(Naval yard) we see lots of super-rich nation's which flourished under the umbrella of America, So if India is on her own(Non-aligned) then India is doomed but if India joins the QUAD as I said India will be equal to China by 30 - 40 years...

[@medialcanthus9681]

@ are you saying china will stand still for thirty forty years waiting for India to catch up? While you grow, they are still growing. The gap may be smaller or even bigger.

@@medialcanthus9681 Did anybody saw the pandemic coming? Every nation put theirs eggs on one basket now they regretting. Say if I want to see China as the world and I cross my heart and follow their leadership will they deal with future problems like how they dealt with current pandemic...

[@medialcanthus9681]

@ of course the pandemic and all other disasters like floods cause people n countries to learn and be better prepared.

[@anshuraj4277]

@roro China is literally doing genocide of Uighurs

[@zacsamuel7295]

The bird has flown from the subcontinent

[@rohitagarwal5293]

👌👌👌

[@datipdriller]

Brilliant minds not neccesary they will enlighten you.

[@govindarajannarasimhan8502]

Brilliant yes but corrupt minds.

[@கலையரசுகலியபெருமாள்]

Prof displays defensive Indian attitude. However Mr Menon is align with China..infact play along attitude...

[@sanjeshdarbari549]

menon was the one during congress rule who wamted to gift siachen to pakistan

[@davidmarkel8142]

BJP It cell

[@YashYadav-qe5ik]

IT Cell

[@sanjeshdarbari549]

@@davidmarkel8142 r u

[@nrusimha11]

There is a new narrative building in some parts of Indian press the last two weeks, soft accommodation to China. Is it being orchestrated by Congress party?

[@ShwetankT]

Lol, why is US not the most important external player in South Asia?

[@hagankeys3610]

Didn't you hear that the USA president called these nations "Shithole countries"

[@RaviKumar-tr3dp]

USA is playing with Pakistan against india is reason.

[@-Harambe]

Trump refers our Bharat 'shit hole'. You tell us if the US really see us equal.

[@Samraat.Bhuwan]

A Laxmi Archana might be Telugu lady

[@Samraat.Bhuwan]

@K S Sunder How narrow minded you are, did I mention anything wrong. as a fellow Telugu being by her name I just guessed. How can be it nsrrow. It's just affection for fellow Telugu person.

[@manjunathbs9790]

I think, we did a great blunder by allowing or giving our market to China and allowed them to grow to such an extent

[@shailendrashinde9410]

China doesn't only depend on India. We have banned Chinese apps but still it has not affected them. China has much more larger trade with US. It also exports in most part of the world

[@hagankeys3610]

India does not give its market to China, it is a bilateral agreement. It is the Indian problem that it does not produce anything that the Chinese wants. (China +1.9%, India -10.3% headline IMF forecasts ) today from asiatimes.com

[@chalkcheese4266]

India had no other option.

[@hagankeys3610]

@@chalkcheese4266 Be nice to its neighbors and stop licking Trump's as*

[@manjunathbs9790]

Thanks to everyone for accepting that nothing fruitful was done in the name of liberalisation until market was opened up to China, and other countries which doesn't matter much

[@johnniewalker7628]

This guest is refreshing.

[@kapilgyawali4758]

It's a blatant lie to say that Chinese supported maoist in Nepal in fact it was supported by India

[@aswandaswand6183]

No one can stop #modhiji

[@karan200590]

From what?

[@hemantkarasala5767]

no one can stop him from burning down economy, our unity, and our future, yup

[@karan200590]

@@hemantkarasala5767 nyc

[@galaxyofvid2738]

Despartion!!

[@anjurkrishnan7831]

Great talk but sad to note both of them did not dwell deep into the current crisis with china, probably due to the sponsor the Singapore univ that is largely influenced by the CPC. What Mr. Menon described as new trend in chinese policy of interference in other countries is not new at all. This is part of their grand umbrella thinking of ' Unrestricted Warfare" thoughts of two army men, from PLA. The "peaceful rise" of nations was a smoke screen to buy time so that china can improve their economy say from 1980 to 2005 without any war mongering with USA. During that time they consolidated and grew their economy a great deal. They wanted peace in their neighborhood so the they can rise peacefully concentrate on wealth building ,not waste resources in war with US. Once the economic muscle was strong enough, they from 2005 on wards started flexing their muscle in South China sea first with island building etc. Once future king XI took over he got rid of all his opponents with in the party calling it as anti corruption drive, consolidated his power and grip on the party and PLA decided to flex his muscle thru belt and "noose" road initiative, debt trap etc. India was the only country that would not play ball or along. So Doklam in 2018,and Ladhak in 2020. That's why I think COVID, CHINESE flu is part of their grand thinking as well, but I think it got out of control. With US -china relation going south, King Xi has to prove he is is in control, so most likely a serious battle (not a war) with India is likely with in the next 6 months. This will help Xi and he can go in front of the chinese and say "look I have my clothes on". King xi is itching for a fight with India and we should deliver a bloody nose to him along with few broken teeth.

[@ilangkumarkumar377]

I don't know what are they talking about? Our PM has met chinese president 18 times and he invited him 6 times to India. He has no clues as to how to respond chinese aggression. They have killed our 20 soldiers and many were injured and exact numbers not known. Addition to this our land more than 1000KMs occupied by them. He tells us not to use chinese Apps which has no effects on chinese economy they are doing well instead ours has gone down 10%. Now, our team is going to meet chinese 8th time, what are they going to talk? Dont they feel ashamed? Modi team have failed miserably. I thought only congress ruled badly now BJP also we shouldn't elect them again. They ruined all.

[@SKD1947]

MR. Menon can be a nice President or External affairs, minister.

[@SKD1947]

@A I ....It means, u don't know about foreign policy.

[@govindarajannarasimhan8502]

Shivshankar menon is a Congress stooge and very poor diplomat among the lot. He could not even handle Srilanka properly when he was the Indian High commissioner in Colombo.

[@SuperRambala]

The word of South Asai was coined by British and now westerner are using it. this is the illogical work South Asia should be Singapore or other countries below India. India should be central asia in reality or just call India as India, do not hyphnate with Pak/Sri Lanka, Afganistan etc.

[@Bahubali-en8hf]

Bastards have the first address: The Print

[@chalkcheese4266]

China cough world will shake remembering Nepolean.

[@prashanthb6521]

Fake statement. Andh bhakt of China you are.

[@chalkcheese4266]

@@prashanthb6521 Study history it will help or live in myths as usual.

[@chalkcheese4266]

@UCbzFOL-uTfK62fuAA6cp4iwThis statement reveal the present situation but keep living in myths.have shame Fascist we bang Fascist with pavement remember Hilter.

[@illuminatusdeus3051]

Napoleon also said, the day China farts and the world will get Covid 19.

[@chalkcheese4266]

@Pandey Ji Akbar made many sanatam dhrama womens in his brothel keep remembering this fact face reality.

[@saravananperiyasamy5730]

Ajith Kumar doval is India's real National security advisor for always, other wise rest of the so called NSA were enjoying Indian's tax money...

[@shashankpant4840]

rename the title- The weakest ex-NSA who failed India post 26/11

[@r57ichard]

Bade wala bewkuf hai ye..

[@gopaakrishnanmvenkataraman9129]

Many ex diplomats want India to Surrender to china Dragon They may be powerful now What were they 3 decades bacķ India can challenge one China Realises our strength the will extend olive branch Leaders like Modi is needed to Take nation on China We can we have inherent strength But reckless opposition is the Stumbling block

[@RahulSharma-bc7mh]

If you believe that it's stupid because they have absolute majority they can practically use the Union machinery as they wish

[@pam4840]

Menon wanted a plum posting which didn't happen . So this China bogey.?

[@prashanthb6521]

Typical sanghi accusation.

[@samarjeetdwibedy007]

But now if India needs to sustain in this environment with China , Pakistan and USA if concerned , I feel India should support China , because if India goes against to China , both Pakistan and USA will try to do things which are ugly for India ,as India is not able to support China for Brahmaputra corridor , development programmes , which China wanted eagerly , as they have got to know , their need is water , they cannot stop water not to come in our bench , so they wanted India to give them places for making Dams , reservoirs , which is not filthy , as per Pakistan ,s stand is concern , so India should ask China from right side , that China should stop providing help to Pakistan ,and we are ready to support both of our intentions , which I feel China should get it from indian side , as a supply chain support ,because the intentions with USA gets ugly on india ,s side in case of Afghanistan , which is a not a benefit regime for USA , in case of Iran , USA is not detailing their complete intentions , they want indians to get out of Iran , and from sidelining nations , so now India has to make big decision , if USA goes wrong on China,s policy ,India will not entertain them at all , and we should be ready to support China ,s policy in our level of peaceful consignments against Britishers are concerned , when it comes to srilanka , I feel India should step out from providing aides to USA ,because USA doesn't give any reply to that support to us , so we can say it's far more beneficial if India goes for half half counter support regime to both ,China as well USA in concern , so as to counter the influence of the Muslim countries ,for which China is creating problems in India , India should lower down the level of support to Muslim nations ,ok and in every forums.

[@anilmog]

First view