Abhinav Pandya - From Sindoor to Syunik: India’s New Geopolitical Frontline | Ep 443, June 5, 2025 [EP443]

Posted on Tuesday, May 27, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics, Iran | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Turkey-Pakistan-Azerbaijan Axis
  • Operation Sindoor
  • Armenia As a Strategic Partner
  • West Asia and Eurasia Context
  • Future Outlook

Episode 443 | Recorded: June 3, 2025

Show Notes

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, we speak with Abhinav Pandya about the emerging Turkey–Pakistan–Azerbaijan axis and its implications for India’s security and regional posture. We explore the symbolism behind the opening of an empty airport in Berdzor (Lachin), the broader strategic coordination among these three nations, and how India responded with Operation Sindoor following a major terror attack in Pahalgam. The conversation also looks at Armenia’s growing role as a strategic partner for India, the complexities of managing ties with Iran, and the challenges facing multilateral projects like IMEC. Pandya outlines the ideological and hybrid threats India faces and what it must do to stay ahead in a shifting geopolitical landscape.

Main Topics Addressed

  • The Turkey–Pakistan–Azerbaijan strategic axis and its growing cooperation
  • Symbolism and significance of the Berdzor (Lachin) airport opening in occupied Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh)
  • India’s Operation Sindoor: strategic intent and regional reactions
  • Armenia’s strategic pivot from Russia to India
  • The role of Iran, Chabahar Port, and India’s Eurasian connectivity ambitions
  • IMEC’s viability and the challenges of multilateral infrastructure projects
  • Turkey’s ideological influence operations in India and South Asia
  • Future flashpoints and the need for India’s strategic countermeasures

Key Questions Discussed

  • What does the emerging Turkey–Pakistan–Azerbaijan axis aim to achieve?
  • How did Operation Sindoor reshape India’s regional military posture?
  • Is Armenia becoming more than just a defense client for India?
  • How does India manage its complex relationship with Iran, especially around Chabahar?
  • Is the IMEC project dead on arrival, and what are India’s alternatives?
  • How can India confront ideological and cyber threats in this evolving geopolitical landscape?

Referenced Articles & Sources

Books by Dr. Abhinav Pandya

Wrap-up

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Thanks to Laura Osborn for the music on our podcasts.

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Guests

Abhinav Pandya

Abhinav Pandya

Dr. Abhinav Pandya is a counterterrorism and foreign policy analyst, and the founder and CEO of the Usanas Foundation, a security think tank based in India. He holds degrees from Cornell University, St. Stephen’s College, and OP Jindal Global University. Pandya has authored three books, including Inside the Terrifying World of Jaish-e-Mohammed and Terror Financing in Kashmir. He has written for major outlets such as The National Interest, Haaretz, and ORF, and has lectured at international forums including NATO and the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. He advised the Governor of Jammu & Kashmir during the abrogation of Article 370.

Hosts

Asbed Bedrossian

Asbed Bedrossian

Asbed is founder of the Armenian News Network Groong and co-founder of the ANN/Groong podcast.

Hovik Manucharyan

Hovik Manucharyan

Hovik Manucharyan is an information security engineer who moved from Seattle to Armenia in 2022. He co-founded the ANN/Groong podcast in 2020 and has been a contributor to Groong News since the late 1990s.

Disclaimer: The views expressed by Hovik Manucharyan on the ANN/Groong podcast are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of his employer or any other organization.

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