Summary of "#AskAbhijit 271: Ask Me Anything - Geopolitics, Current Affairs, History"
The episode #AskAbhijit 271 covers a wide range of topics including recent aviation accident investigations, geopolitics, trade deals, defense procurement, education, science, and cultural issues. Below is a detailed summary of the main arguments and analyses presented:
1. Ahmedabad Flight Accident and AIB Report Controversy
- The Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) of India released a preliminary report on the Ahmedabad flight crash, which raised many red flags due to missing critical data, lack of signatures, and selective information disclosure.
- The report was leaked to the Wall Street Journal 24 hours before official Indian release, raising suspicions of a cover-up.
- The crash likely involved a dual engine failure immediately after takeoff.
- Boeing’s recent safety record has been questioned, especially after the 737 Max crashes linked to a hidden faulty system (MCAS).
- The speaker strongly defends the pilots, rejecting pilot error as the cause, and calls for a thorough, transparent investigation free from political or corporate influence.
- The possibility of sabotage or "kill switches" (remote disabling mechanisms) in commercial aircraft is discussed as a theoretical concern.
- The Indian government and Prime Minister’s office are urged to personally oversee the investigation to ensure accountability and passenger safety.
2. US-Indonesia Trade Deal and Implications for India
- The US-Indonesia Trade Deal is heavily skewed in favor of the US, with Indonesia forced to accept high tariffs on its exports while granting near tariff-free access to US goods.
- Indonesia has also committed to large purchases of US energy, agricultural products, and Boeing aircraft.
- The deal is described as "gun to the head diplomacy," likened to historical tribute systems imposed by empires.
- The US is openly acting as an empire, imposing unfair terms on smaller nations.
- India is advised to leverage its strategic position as a counterbalance to China to avoid similar exploitative trade deals.
- India’s ongoing tough negotiations with the US over trade and tariffs are highlighted, with India resisting US demands for opening markets to GMO agricultural products.
3. India’s Defense Procurement and Jet Engine Development
- The feasibility of India purchasing the Russian Sukhoi-57 fighter jet is questioned due to US secondary sanctions and geopolitical pressure.
- The F-35 is rejected outright as a sovereignty-compromising, expensive aircraft with kill switches and backdoors.
- The AMCA indigenous fighter will take a decade or more to be operational, creating a gap.
- The Rafale fighter, with which India has experience, is recommended as a stop-gap solution.
- India has reportedly finalized a $7 billion deal with France’s Safran for co-development and full technology transfer of jet engines (120 kN class), which is critical for self-reliance in military aviation.
- This deal, if operationalized swiftly, would reduce India’s dependence on foreign suppliers and diminish US leverage.
4. India-China Relations and Tibet Issue
- India’s calibrated diplomatic pressure on China over Tibet and related border issues is justified as a response to China’s hostile actions, including support for Pakistan and harboring anti-India terrorists.
- Tibet is described as illegally occupied by China, with cultural genocide ongoing.
- India holds significant leverage via the Tibetan government-in-exile and the Dalai Lama’s presence.
- The escalation of Tibet-related diplomacy is a strategic move, unrelated to territorial comparisons with Arunachal Pradesh or Bhutan.
5. Why Radars and Satellites Are Preferred Over Cameras for Aerial Surveillance
- Cameras are limited by light conditions, weather, horizon, and inability to provide precise distance or speed data.
- Radars and satellites operate effectively day and night, in all weather, can detect over the horizon, and provide accurate tracking and early warning.
- Modern aerial threat detection relies on a network of radars and satellites rather than ground-based cameras.
6. India-West Relations Amid Russia Sanctions and Trade Negotiations
- The West, led by the US, is pressuring India over its Russia ties using threats of secondary sanctions, tariffs, and diplomatic pressure.
- India is resisting US demands to open markets to American agricultural products and GMO goods.
- The designation of TRF as a terrorist group is seen as a minor concession amid tough ongoing negotiations.
- The US-India relationship is complex, driven by strategic interests against China but burdened by trade conflicts.
- The US views India as a vassal state, and India is pushing back to maintain sovereignty.
7. Travel Vloggers and Foreign Influence
- Travel vloggers and media personalities can be used by foreign governments (e.g., China) to influence public opinion in India through sponsored trips and social media amplification.
- Example given of an Indian analyst (SL Kantan) who is strongly pro-China and promoted by the Chinese embassy.
- The government is urged to investigate such individuals for potential foreign influence or paid propaganda.
8. Impact of AI on IT Jobs and Future Career Planning
AI is autom
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News and Commentary
