In this episode of Memos to the President, Ylli sits down with Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of ORF America, to take a deep dive into the complex and evolving role of India on the world stage. Recorded in late January 2026, the conversation explores how India is navigating its relationship with a "pure competitor" in China and a shifting partnership with the United States. Jaishankar provides an expert assessment of why India's generation of strategic thinkers is more "bullish" than ever, despite significant trade frictions and high tariffs currently impacting bilateral ties.
In this episode of Memos to the President, Ylli sits down with Dhruva Jaishankar, Executive Director of ORF America, to take a deep dive into the complex and evolving role of India on the world stage.
Recorded in late January 2026, the conversation explores how India is navigating its relationship with a "pure competitor" in China and a shifting partnership with the United States. Jaishankar provides an expert assessment of why India's generation of strategic thinkers is more "bullish" than ever, despite significant trade frictions and high tariffs currently impacting bilateral ties.
00:00 – Intro: 20 Years of Perspective on D.C. and Delhi
01:25 – India’s Role in a Changing World Order
01:53 – The Superpower at the Doorstep: Managing China
03:00 – A New Generation of Strategic Thinkers
05:25 – Navigating a World Beyond the U.S. and China
06:08 – Looking Toward 2050: Challenges and Optimism
07:53 – The Paradox of U.S.-India Relations: Friction vs. Cooperation
08:14 – The Tariff Trouble: 50% Levies and Trade Sticking Points
08:51 – Defense as the New Cornerstone of the Partnership
09:13 – People-to-People Ties: The Largest Indian Diaspora
12:24 – The Path to a Comprehensive Bilateral Trade Deal
13:34 – The Russia Oil Factor and Global Energy Markets
14:37 – India’s AI Strategy: Data, Talent, and Use Cases
16:30 – Building Models vs. Building Applications: The R&D Debate
18:47 – Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) in the AI Age
19:39 – Recommendations for the U.S.-India Tech Relationship
21:43 – Previewing the AI Impact Summit in Delhi
23:43 – Leading the Global South: Reforming International Institutions
26:40 – Why U.S. and India Should Collaborate in Third Markets
28:52 – The India-Pakistan "Deep Freeze" and Terrorism Policy
32:52 – The Diminishing Strategic Value of the Iran Relationship
34:22 – Russia-India Dynamics: Diversifying Defense and Space
36:52 – The Concerns Over the Russia-China "No Limits" Friendship
41:00 – De-risking from China: The Battle for Data and Tech Sovereignty
43:15 – Outro: The Future of ORF America Cooperation