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

Check out their conversation on the SCSP YouTube channel!

Memos to the President Podcast is a product of the Special Competitive Studies Project.

Episode 40: Dhruva Jaishankar on The Future of US-India Ties

Memos to the President