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Air India has terminated a pilot who tested positive for a psychoactive substance following an investigation into a Phuket-Delhi flight, highlighting renewed scrutiny over aviation safety and crew conduct.
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00:01Hello and welcome. Good evening. You're watching To The Point here on India Today. I'm Akshita Anandha Khopal.
00:05This evening we'll be getting you the big story coming in on the Jantar Mantar video controversy and an influencer,
00:12a right-wing activist, Watantra, who boasted about having a shield after going on an assault spree,
00:19finally being taken into custody. The details of that story coming your way. We begin with the headlines.
00:27Goon right-wing activist, Watantra Bharatwaj, has broken open his skull,
00:33both backfires, detained by Delhi police from his village in UP's Bulan Shere.
00:37Action after CJP's marched to police station demanding arrest.
00:45Flight operations hampered in Delhi after rainfall. At least 10 flights diverted entrance to IGI airport
00:53terminal 3 gets waterlogged, cleared by authorities right after.
01:06Air India Delhi Phuket flight probe details our preliminary report says pilot tested
01:11non-negative or a positive inflammatory test for psychoactive substance. Pilot now sat.
01:23Amid all the gloom, a glimmer of hope in Nepal. 10 days after flood fury,
01:28two men brought out alive miraculously from tunnel during rescue ops. More than 5,000 still missing.
01:40U.S. Ambassador to India, Sergio Gore, speaks exclusively to India today.
01:47Catch the full interview at 7.30.
02:02Let's begin with big breaking news that's coming in. Air India has cracked the vapor after the Phuket
02:07Delhi flight fiasco and the pilot testing positive for substance abuse. He's now been sacked.
02:15Air India has confirmed this with a statement where they say, and I quote,
02:19safety remains Air India's highest priority. The pilot in command of the Phuket Delhi flight
02:24tested positive for a psychoactive substance. In line with Air India's zero tolerance approach,
02:30the pilot's employment has been terminated with immediate effect. India today had confirmed
02:36for you in our news break that in preliminary tests that were conducted, the pilot in question
02:41had tested positive for psychoactive substances suspected to be marijuana. And right after that,
02:47with more details emerging from the probe, Air India has decided to crack the whip. The pilot in
02:53question has now been sacked, terminated as per Air India with immediate effect. This comes after
03:00widespread outrage, questions about whether airlines need to ensure adequate and additional screening
03:06of pilots. And while Air India has through and through promised that they will cooperate with
03:11the investigation and ensure pilots are held to the highest standards. Now, they've gone ahead and
03:17said that we are sacking the pilot with immediate effect, considering that in the preliminary test,
03:23he has tested positive. Amit Bharatwaj is joining us with more details. So on this, Amit,
03:28as expected, Air India cracking the whip, especially because of the outrage over the details that emerged
03:33from the report? Absolutely right, Akshata. You know, we had reached out to ourselves within Air India
03:41to understand as to what would be the action being taken or to be taken by Air India, because there
03:46is a very set law in place as well that if there is substance abuse, three months of suspension,
03:52the pilot goes for rehab. But in this particular case, it was just the case of a substance abuse.
03:57If you also hadn't, you know, incident where, serious incident where the, you know, altitude of the
04:04craft had plus 300 meters. However, Akshata, we need to say this, we rated that the PIC was not pilot
04:11flying
04:12for the day. I said it before as well on India today, live while you were covering this particular story.
04:18The first officer was pilot flying that day. The PIC was pilot monitoring for the day. But
04:26irrespective, he tested positive for substance abuse. And Air India has taken a proactive step
04:34even before the DGC order has been issued. Air India has terminated the PIC of AI-2379.
04:43My sources have clearly confirmed me the action was on the way. Now, Air India officially stating it
04:50that the PIC of AI-2379 has been terminated with immediate effect. And they have said that this action
04:59has been taken after the AIB report. And because Air India maintains zero tolerance against substance abuse,
05:05that is why this particular decision has been taken. So as expected, the pilots in command of AI-2379
05:13Delhi flight has been terminated.
05:16So step taken despite the fact that this is a preliminary investigation. But Air India are trying to send across
05:21that message that we have a zero tolerance policy for this kind of acts by the pilot. I will highlight
05:27that the pilot in question here has been sacked, has been terminated because he tested positive
05:32for a psychoactive substance suspected to be marijuana. The co-pilot tested negative. That's what the
05:38AAIB report threw up. Thanks, Amit, for joining us with those details. Let's cut across to more breaking news coming
05:43in.
05:51Right-wing activist Swatantra Bharatwaj, who was accused of assaulting a Jantar Mantra protest
05:57and then going on to boast about it on social media and claim that he was shielded, he was protected,
06:04has now been detained by the Delhi police, detained from his village in Bulansheir of Uttar Pradesh.
06:10Swatantra is being brought to Delhi and there, once he's here in the national capital, he will
06:15formally be arrested. For now, he remains detained. After paperwork, he will be formally arrested.
06:20This comes after widespread outrage over a video that went viral of Swatantra talking about how
06:27he had assaulted and also said that I had complete protection. There was no question of any action
06:33against me. This is largely also seen as a big fight between two podcasters, two influencers,
06:38because the alleged victim in question, Nishu Azad, has also, in fact, spoken out about this,
06:45saying that Swatantra attacked her father. Now, remember that this led to widespread protest.
06:50The likes of Chandrasekhar Azad also stepped in. There was a demand of the SCST Act being roped in
06:55here and that being used to, in fact, book Swatantra Bharatwaj because Nishu Azad, her family,
07:02they are Dalit. So, that was also brought in. CJP has, in fact, been protesting in the police
07:08station earlier today, demanding that there be action and that Swatantra be arrested,
07:16which is exactly what's taken place now.
07:20I'll bring in Arvind Hoja for more details on this as well as Himanshu for the latest updates.
07:27Arvind, we'll come across to you first on what's really happening right now, which sections
07:32have been invoked by the Delhi police? And what are the Delhi police currently taking Swatantra
07:45so far, is what's really happening right now? And we're also bringing in the
07:47Delhi police.
07:47We have the police to the Delhi police.
07:47The police have been detained and asked him.
07:51The statement that Nishu and his father have given us,
07:55has also been verified.
07:57And with this incident, there are multiple videos coming in front of us.
08:02Some videos are showing that Swatantra also marked the case of the incident.
08:06Number one.
08:08Number two.
08:08The video is in which Sonjay Adhad has also said to him,
08:12he put his social media handle on his social media.
08:15foreign
09:09Okay, let me bring in Himanshu also for more details on this.
09:12Himanshu, one demand for arrest, the other is to book him under SCST Act.
09:18What is that?
09:22Look, because the three of the three of them were asked, there was one SCST Act, the other was the
09:29Attempt to Murder, which was the 109 BNS and the POCS Act.
09:32But the police, the SCST Act, the other is the Attempt to Murder.
10:12वो जान भूच कर मारा गया और वो हत्यार की तरह इस्तिमाल किया जा सकता है
10:16तो ये तमाम चीजें हैं जो investigate करना है
10:18क्योंकि पुलिस कोई भी अगर धारा FIR में चोड़ती है
10:21तो उसके साथ उसको evidence भी collect करने होते है
10:24और evidence collect करके court में अपने case को stand भी कराना होता है
10:29go beyond the
10:34process where the evidence
10:35was completed
10:37which the social media
10:40was done
10:40in the jeopardy
10:42police
10:43which the legal process
10:45is going to be very
10:46problematic
10:47police
10:48evidence
10:49evidence
10:49is going to be
10:50the wrong
10:52decision
10:53because
10:54the demand
11:01This is the first thing that we have seen in the beginning of the process of the process of the
11:11process of the process of the process of the process of the process.
11:28Okay, Himanshu and Arvind, thanks for those details.
11:31As we speak right now, the accused Swatantra Bharpaj is being brought to Delhi
11:35and that's where you will see more movement, more details of what kind of action will be taken against him.
11:40For now, he's been detained, will be formally arrested once in the National Capitol.
11:55And in the now viral video of Swatantra Bharpaj that triggered this entire controversy,
12:01he boasted of backing from several NDA leaders, including that of Union Minister Chirag Paswan.
12:07Chirag Paswan has now clarified on the same, claiming he has absolutely no link with the right-wing activists
12:14and saying that essentially his name was misused by the podcaster, by the influencer.
12:20The Union Minister speaking out has also backed demands for stricter action against Swatantra Bharpaj.
12:26Remember, in this video, Swatantra Bharpaj spoke not just of how he assaulted,
12:31but also claimed that he had the backing of BJP leaders who would ensure that he's not taken into custody.
12:37One of the names he mentioned was that of Chirag Paswan.
12:43This thing is to accept the open-air podcast.
12:50This thing is to accept the open-air podcast of Swatantra Bharpaj.
13:29And India today also spoke to Swatantra Bharpaj before his arrest when there was peak outrage last night.
13:37And guess what? The influencer played the victim card.
13:39He said he acted in self-defense because CGP protesters, according to him, were trying to lynch him.
13:46Here's his version.
13:48Swatantra Bharpaj.
13:50Swatantra Bharpaj, you have a video in the social media.
13:54Thank you very much.
14:24I think we should have thought about 307 because it was a situation.
14:29But there was the President of Modi, Kapil Misra, Chirag Paswan,
14:33all of our big brothers and the children,
14:36the children were only one thing.
14:37It was the only reason for the children.
14:38It was the only reason for the children.
14:38It was the only reason for the children.
14:40It was the only reason for the children.
14:43It was the only reason for the children.
14:48So, people are doing this in social media?
14:51People are doing these things.
14:53They can say that they can become a Brahman or a Brahman.
14:59What's the reason for us is to do this.
15:03We are doing this.
15:04Also, we are doing these things.
15:13We are also doing this.
15:14We are also doing this.
15:16We are also doing this.
15:48Thank you very much.
15:48This way?
15:49This way?
15:50No, sir.
15:51Sir, you don't know how it goes.
15:53Because in the medical report, there is no such thing.
15:56The medical report will not be confused.
15:59These people are trying to fight against propaganda.
16:02Today, Rahul Gandhi is trying to push me.
16:05But when I was in my country,
16:07I didn't know Rahul Gandhi's attack.
16:10So you understand which way,
16:12the people are trying to give me a voice.
16:17You are saying that you are saying that we have been talking about 60,
16:21the people are talking about,
16:24the phone call,
16:25I was going to call 307,
16:27but I left me.
16:28You are saying that you are saying?
16:31Sir, you see,
16:31there is no reason why.
16:34If you think that,
16:35if you think that,
16:36if you think that,
16:36that,
16:37that,
16:38that,
16:38that,
16:38that,
16:38that,
16:39that,
16:39that,
16:44that,
16:47that,
16:49that,
16:49foreign
17:03foreign
17:05that CJP, where you were saying that you were asking for the right thing,
17:12what were you doing on your own?
17:15We were standing there with social media videos,
17:18we were not doing anything.
17:19We were standing there with me,
17:21and my video was going to make me a video,
17:22that was Nisu's father.
17:24In the video, I don't know, I don't have any idea.
17:28Actually, we are an influencer,
17:30there is also something I can do,
17:33because we don't know,
17:34but later, we got to know that her daughter,
17:37has made many roasting videos.
17:39It was very early,
17:40the CJP protests,
17:41we didn't know anyone.
17:43Now, they were saying that these people,
17:46the media,
17:46the reporter,
17:48there were also many digital media,
17:50they were trying to attack on the social media,
17:53and all the people,
17:54one of the EVP News had been tortured,
17:57so I also wanted them to do this,
17:59so we can't do it.
18:01We cannot do it, sir.
18:03Because we all have to do it,
18:04because we all have to do it,
18:05and we all have to do it.
18:07Today, if I have made a video,
18:09without permission,
18:11that you have to do it,
18:12then we had to do it with the camera,
18:13we had to do it.
18:15But in which way,
18:15it was attacked me,
18:16we had to do it.
18:18We have to do it with the camera,
18:20and what happened to the camera,
18:21we had to do it with the camera,
18:22and the camera was done with the camera.
18:23It wasn't like the camera,
18:25it wasn't like the camera.
18:27It didn't work as well.
18:28and all of the cameras were left,
18:29and now it was going to be the investigation.
18:31If we were to get wrong,
18:32if police call it for investigation,
18:34investigation, if we will see Parshasana's eyes wrong, then we are convinced that we
18:39have been working with BN Rao Ji, and we are not going to move back.
18:42If Parshasana's approach comes further, if you have to come here, then Parshasana will
18:46not come to my house, we will go to Parshasana and work for ourselves.
18:53You've heard one side, essentially what does this come down to?
18:56Two influencers who have been fighting it out, and one of them is Watantra Bharatwaj
19:00who has now been detained, the other Nishu Azad, whose father was beaten up.
19:06She spoke to India today after she and CGP representatives who have backed her in this fight
19:12met with the Delhi police officials.
19:15Listening to what they said, mind you that this was a conversation we had before he was
19:18taken into custody.
19:30This was the one who was being detained, the police was still running away.
19:33It was not done, the humiliated against the criminals.
19:37By the way, he was attacked and did his head, to get arrested.
19:39So, our command is that you must do harm and place against them.
19:43We are trying to kill them, to keep them, to dig them, and to keep them...
19:47are just as proud and accept them. We
19:52want to fight this victim. So,
19:54we should wipe with him. Why do
19:56people do harm and do harm them? When they
19:59I don't know how long you were there and what kind of written complaint was fresh?
20:04Yes, we have a fresh complaint.
20:07The people who gave me a message in the DMs, in the comments section, made my stickers, rape threats.
20:16Today we have a fresh complaint filed.
20:27We have a fresh complaint.
20:36We have a fresh complaint.
20:48We have a fresh complaint.
20:48What did the police say?
20:50What did the police say?
20:51It will be necessary.
20:54It will be necessary.
20:55It will be necessary.
20:56It will be necessary.
20:57In the seven days, this case will be the same.
21:03Seven days, the police have given you.
21:06What did the other thing you said about social media?
21:10Is it a separate FIR?
21:13We have a fresh complaint.
21:18If you remember the day, all of this happened,
21:21you would know what happened to us.
21:24What happened to us?
21:26We have a fresh complaint.
21:27We have been living in the protest.
21:30I am a influencer.
21:31I was not a influencer.
21:33We were not aware of them.
21:34They were known before.
21:36We were standing there.
21:39We were standing there.
21:39Some people were still alive.
21:41There were those people,
21:42who had to deal with my father.
21:44So, my father came to me.
21:45And he told me,
21:47I didn't have anything to do.
21:47I didn't have anything to do.
21:48I didn't have anything to do.
21:48So, my father came to me.
21:50And he started making a video.
21:51And he started making a video.
21:52And he made me angle.
21:53So, he felt like he was shooting his video.
21:56But he didn't even know.
21:58So, at that time, he hit his hand.
22:01He hit his finger.
22:14And he killed his body.
22:15He killed his body.
22:16And the police got at him.
22:18So, he was fired.
22:21And he got caught him.
22:22So, he killed his face.
22:26He killed and lost him.
22:27He killed his body.
22:28And he killed his body.
22:28And he shot him.
22:29He killed his body.
22:30The judge was the judge of Alexander.
22:33Now, this took a political turn as well.
22:36You had several political parties going ahead and speaking out against Swatantra Bharatwaj,
22:41raising questions about how he claimed he had backing also from several leaders of the Bharatiya Charatha Party,
22:48many of whom have come out to completely deny any link to him whatsoever.
22:52But earlier, my colleague Maria Shakeel also spoke to Ashutosh Ranka
22:55after the CJP leadership staged a protest outside the Parliament's trade police station,
23:00demanding Swatantra's arrest, which has now happened.
23:05And joining me now is Ashutosh Ranka, CJP co-convener.
23:09Ashutosh perhaps is still at the Parliament Street police station.
23:14Ashutosh, you went to the Parliament Street police station today
23:16demanding an attempt to murder a case against Bharatiya Raj.
23:19The DCP has already said that the injury was simple in nature, from a kada, not a weapon.
23:24Did the police give you anything today beyond that same line?
23:30Maria, this is the first time in my life when I'm hearing that the criminal himself, the coon himself,
23:36is saying that it was an attempt to murder case.
23:39He should have been arrested in an attempt to murder case.
23:42He almost killed Sanjay ji.
23:45And then there is police, which is actually saying, no, no, no, no, no, no.
23:49It was only minor injury.
23:50This is the first time in my life when I'm hearing a goon actually telling what happened
23:55and police defending the goon.
23:56It's ridiculous.
23:58It's extremely unacceptable.
24:00If this is the state of affairs in the national capital,
24:04I can't even imagine what's happening throughout the country.
24:09So, tell me what really played out, because you were also joined by Chandrasekhar Razad today.
24:15And there are reports suggesting that the SCST charges could be invoked and also attempt to murder.
24:22But that's a subject of consideration.
24:25What did the cops tell you?
24:27It's not a subject of consideration anymore.
24:29We left the station only after the additional DCP assured that there will be charges of SCST Act
24:39and attempt to murder sections added to the FIR and the updated FIR would be shared with us by the
24:45evening.
24:46That's the reason why we actually left the station in the first place.
24:49And if that is not on earth, we'll go back again.
24:51So, you are saying that there were verbal assurances that came in from the police
24:56that it will be added by the end of the day.
25:00Yes, yes.
25:01Okay.
25:02So, Ashutosh, you know, a section of the right wing is of the opinion
25:07that this was some kind of bragging by Swatantra Bhardwaj
25:11and that there is no truth in it.
25:13Swatantra Bhardwaj himself later has said that he does, you know,
25:19that there is no political patronage whatsoever.
25:22How do you look at this entire controversy playing out there?
25:25Again, Mariya, this is the first time in my life
25:28where the goon is accepting that I have done this.
25:31And then their patrons are saying,
25:33no, no, no, this has not done that.
25:34What kind of mockery of democracy is this?
25:38Like we have, this guy has on record admitted multiple times
25:44that he bet Sanjay Ji with that kada.
25:47He has admitted it multiple times.
25:49He is a known convict.
25:51He is a known criminal.
25:52He is a history sheeter.
25:53There are so many of his videos and images of him beating people up in the past as well.
26:00And then if you are trying to defend that he was just bragging,
26:03who are you kidding?
26:05This is like what we are seeing right now in Delhi.
26:10It's extremely worrisome.
26:12And if Kapil Mishra was not involved,
26:15if Kapil Mishra was not involved,
26:16he should come out in the open and say that,
26:18no, he was not involved in this at all.
26:21He should give a clarification.
26:22And then Swatantra should be made to submit all the evidence,
26:29which suggested that Kapil Mishra was the one who called him up,
26:32who called the police up.
26:34Delhi police, we went to Delhi police,
26:37because Swatantra brought me that day he left me out of the night.
26:41And the account Delhi police had given us that day itself,
26:45when me and Saurabh went out immediately after the incident,
26:47they said they had detained him.
26:50We asked for the details of detainment.
26:52If you were detained, please share details.
26:56This is not even...
26:57You don't need it to be a hearsay.
26:59These are facts.
27:00Either he was detained or he was not detained.
27:02Delhi police detained him the other day.
27:04They should share the records.
27:05Otherwise, what Swatantra is saying is true.
27:08Okay.
27:09So, Ashutosh, what will you be telling those who are saying
27:12that by bringing in the SEST charge,
27:15you are doing caste politics?
27:19For them, I would just say that
27:21they have probably not seen Instagram videos
27:24of what this guy does.
27:26He is openly casteist.
27:29One of his videos openly talks about
27:32that I have beaten a green kubutra.
27:35Anyone who doesn't understand what this means,
27:38either they lack basic sense
27:42or they haven't seen this video in the first place.
27:46Okay.
27:47Ashutosh, you know, this is coming on a day
27:49that Indian Express, in its investigation,
27:51has said that they found lists
27:53Delhi police submitted claiming
27:552,873 criminals were there at Jantar Mantar
27:59based on facial recognition
28:00can be flawed as 25 names,
28:02which Express checked, were in the jails.
28:05So, you know, Express investigation essentially
28:07pointing out that there were
28:09several protesters flagged with serious charges
28:12by Delhi police's own facial recognition system
28:14at Jantar Mantar.
28:16At least 25 were already supposed to be in jail.
28:19Given that, how much of weight can you place
28:21on any assurances the same police force gave you today?
28:26A couple of things.
28:28Number one, we still haven't had any access
28:31to those 2,800 people that Delhi police keeps talking about.
28:36So, I can't say much about it.
28:38What I do know is that
28:40all the FIRs against the student protesters
28:43were quashed by the Supreme Court.
28:45And if Delhi police even remotely attempts
28:48to not honor that agreement,
28:50this is a complete collapse of law and order.
28:53and the idea of state in the first place.
28:56Number one.
28:57Number two, you are absolutely right.
28:59The way Delhi police has behaved
29:01in the last two, three months
29:03makes us be very wary of their trust,
29:06of all the assurances that they give.
29:08And that is why all of us are in Delhi
29:13will continue to stay put.
29:14And if they don't honor what they have assured,
29:18we will go back to the police station very soon.
29:20You know, you continue to make this charge
29:24that the Delhi police is working
29:25at the behest of the BJP.
29:29You know, you continue to accuse the Delhi police
29:32of acting at the behest of the BJP.
29:34I didn't say this.
29:35Swatantra said this on record.
29:37I didn't say this.
29:38I didn't say this.
29:38I didn't say that Kapil Mishra came out.
29:40Swatantra said this on record.
29:44It's all out in the public.
29:47So do you think, Ashutosh,
29:50that with that video and the podcast,
29:53it's almost like an open and shut case now?
29:56Because this is about political patronage
29:58that a criminal is, you know, bragging.
30:01Well, it was an open and shut case two months ago.
30:05It was an open and shut case two months ago.
30:07We are two months too late.
30:09If people like Swatantra continue to robbery,
30:15we'll all have to assume that there is no police
30:17in the capital.
30:19There is no law and order left in the capital.
30:21This cannot be a police which serves the people.
30:25It is a police of BJP.
30:26It is the police of BJP.
30:29And that will have to be officially accepted by them.
30:32They should, if they still can't arrest him
30:34after all that has been said,
30:37after all that has been viewed by people across the country,
30:41Sachin Sharma, the current DCP,
30:44should just go to the BJP headquarters and join BJP.
30:47He should make it very clear and official.
30:50You know, the turn of events is such
30:55that it took a viral clip, not an FIR,
30:59to get any movement in an incident
31:03which happened six weeks ago.
31:08And it's shameful.
31:10It's beyond shameful.
31:11What has Delhi police been doing all this while?
31:14If the opposition leader has to go to a police station
31:17just to get an FIR lodged,
31:21if a national movement has to constantly go to
31:25the police station
31:26for the police to act and demand action,
31:31if a sitting MP, Chandri Shekharji, was there,
31:34had to come to the police station
31:36to ensure that justice is given.
31:38I can't even imagine how...
31:46All right, Ashutosh, I believe you're getting a call there.
31:49So, Ashutosh Ranka there.
31:50Thank you for joining us.
31:54Let's get you a big update coming in
31:56on the India-US trade deal.
31:58I mean, questions really on when there'll be clarity.
32:01Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has given a huge update
32:04saying that the FTA negotiations
32:06between India and America has been closed off
32:08and the first tranche of a bilateral trade agreement
32:13will be out,
32:14which will reflect a set of proposals
32:16that have been agreed upon by the two countries.
32:19Essentially, there are sticking points,
32:21but a middle ground has been found at least
32:22on a set of issues.
32:24Let's listen in to Minister Piyush Goyal.
32:28We are waiting for the US
32:30to provide the necessary framework
32:33under which India will get
32:35a preferential tariff
32:38for our exports to US.
32:41It should be lower
32:42than all our competitor countries
32:45as was agreed
32:47between the two countries
32:49before the Supreme Court of US
32:51struck down their tariffs.
32:53We are in agreement on this issue
32:55and are in continuous dialogue.
32:58I had a conversation with my counterpart
33:00very recently
33:02and we are both committed
33:04to concluding a very fair,
33:07equitable and balanced
33:09first tranche
33:10of the US-India bilateral trade.
33:15The Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal
33:17suggesting that we're very, very close
33:19to going ahead and releasing
33:20the first tranche of the FTA.
33:23But what does America have to say?
33:25Here's a detailed, exclusive conversation
33:27with US Ambassador to India,
33:29Sergio Goyal.
33:36Hello and welcome to a very special broadcast
33:39and a super exclusive interview
33:41with the US Ambassador to India,
33:45Ambassador Sergio Goyal,
33:46who many in DC and in India believe
33:48is single-handedly driving this relationship
33:52in the right direction.
33:53Ambassador, thank you so much
33:54for making time for us
33:55from your busy schedule.
33:57Great to be with you, Rohit,
33:59and with all the viewers of India today.
34:01And that's very kind of you to say,
34:03but remember, this relationship
34:04is driven by President Trump
34:06and the care that he has for India.
34:10Ambassador, you know,
34:11I have so many questions for you.
34:12Let's first dive into the Quad Sherpa meeting
34:15that took place in New Delhi yesterday.
34:18We did see the readout, you know,
34:19about the next goals
34:21and next objectives of this meeting.
34:24What can you tell us
34:25about the Quad Sherpa meeting
34:27and, you know,
34:27what can we expect
34:28from the next Quad meeting
34:30and then obviously the big one,
34:32which is going to be
34:33the Quad Leaders Summit
34:35sometime in the future?
34:36Absolutely.
34:37Look, it was vitally important
34:38for everybody to get together here.
34:40Foreign Secretary Misery
34:41hosted all four parts of the Quad.
34:44and so our colleagues from Japan
34:47and also Australia
34:48flew in to New Delhi
34:50for this very important meeting.
34:51The Quad is very important to all of us.
34:53The Quad, what does the Quad represent?
34:55It is a group of partners
34:56that trust each other.
34:58So for the United States,
34:59it's very close allies,
35:01including Japan and Australia
35:03and, of course, India.
35:04And so the meeting was essential.
35:07This is ahead of the next meeting,
35:09which will happen next month
35:10in Sydney, Australia,
35:12where Secretary Rubio
35:13will be traveling to meet
35:14his counterparts in Sydney.
35:16And as you mentioned,
35:17hopefully leading
35:18into a Leaders Summit,
35:20possibly even later this year.
35:22That has not been set yet,
35:23but that is something
35:24that all four are working towards.
35:27The Quad is working
35:28across various areas together,
35:30and that includes
35:31humanitarian relief
35:32and disaster relief,
35:34joint training,
35:36and interoperability
35:38between all four partners.
35:39So the more we get together,
35:41the more we can advance.
35:43Part of the Quad,
35:44I don't know if your viewers
35:44might know this,
35:45but it's actually relating
35:47to new technology,
35:48new and emerging technology.
35:49And so we discussed
35:51everything from AI
35:52to data centers
35:53to, of course,
35:54critical minerals.
35:55There is so much
35:56that the Quad
35:56can work together on,
35:57and that's something
35:58that we have reinvigorated.
36:00As you know,
36:01the Secretary was here
36:02in India a few months ago.
36:03We had a Quad meeting.
36:04The Secretary was in Manila
36:06just recently for the ASEAN Summit.
36:08We had another
36:09Quad ministerial meeting there.
36:11Anytime the four leaders
36:13are in a place,
36:13we should have a Quad meeting.
36:15Anytime the four ministers
36:16are in a place,
36:17we should have a meeting.
36:18And that's something
36:18that I strive to push forward.
36:22And, you know,
36:23because you did say
36:24there could be a Leaders Summit
36:25later this year.
36:26I mean, could that be
36:26on the sidelines of G20?
36:28Because I think all leaders
36:29would be in Florida
36:31for the G20.
36:32I don't want to make
36:33any commitments just yet
36:34because it's not quite set yet.
36:35But I will tell you this,
36:36that the United States
36:37is incredibly interested
36:38in a Leaders Summit.
36:40And so as we get closer,
36:43I will keep you posted on that.
36:45The four leaders
36:46speak with each other regularly.
36:48And so the next natural step
36:51is for all of them
36:51to be together around one table
36:53and to advance
36:54these shared common goals
36:55and shared priorities.
36:57That would be terrific.
36:58I mean, you did announce
36:59that the leaders are,
37:01the ministry leaders
37:02are going to be meeting up
37:03in Sydney next month,
37:05which would be, you know,
37:07again, leading up
37:08to that Leaders Summit.
37:09Now, let me just, you know,
37:10change the topic a little bit.
37:11Now, you know,
37:12one of the most interesting things
37:14that you've done
37:15is your engagement.
37:17And you have a very busy
37:18travel schedule.
37:19You know, one day
37:20you're in Bombay,
37:21the other day we see you
37:22in South India,
37:23then you're in West India,
37:24then North India.
37:25You're meeting the chief ministers.
37:27You're meeting with,
37:27engaging with students
37:29and IITs
37:30and meeting the NSA.
37:32You know, can you,
37:32what can you tell us
37:33about these meetings?
37:34In fact, you recently called
37:36Commerce Minister Piyush Gould
37:37as one of your friends,
37:38you know, in New Delhi.
37:39What can you tell about,
37:41tell us about these conversations
37:42you're having,
37:43not only, you know,
37:44in New Delhi,
37:45but across the nation,
37:47including, you know,
37:48the youth and the Gen Z
37:49that you've sort of
37:51interacted with?
37:51Look, I think it's
37:52vitally important
37:53for me
37:54and for our embassy team
37:56to get out of New Delhi also.
37:58We do plenty of meetings
37:58in New Delhi,
37:59but pick any part of India
38:01and the United States
38:03can work together
38:04with India in that area.
38:06And so when I travel to Mumbai
38:07or Bangalore or Hyderabad,
38:09we have incredible
38:10commercial opportunities.
38:11We have space opportunities.
38:12We have military
38:13joint exercise opportunities.
38:15Meeting with these chief ministers,
38:17meeting with your other ministers
38:18here in Delhi,
38:20meeting with the NSA,
38:20there is so much happening
38:23between India
38:24and the United States.
38:25And this is something
38:26that doesn't get out there enough.
38:28Pick any sector
38:29and the United States
38:30and India are working
38:31together at it.
38:32And the relationship there
38:33is stronger today
38:34than it was five years ago.
38:36So whether that's pharma
38:37or whether that's IT
38:38and technology
38:40or whether that's
38:41military exercises,
38:42India conducts
38:43more military exercises
38:44with the United States
38:45than anyone else.
38:46When it comes to trade,
38:47our bilateral trade today
38:49is $240 billion.
38:50And the two leaders
38:52identified a number
38:52of $500 billion
38:53that they set to achieve
38:55in the next few years.
38:56So no matter the sector,
38:58the United States
38:59and India are working at it,
39:00growing at it,
39:01and it will continue
39:02to go to that.
39:03To answer your second part
39:04of your question,
39:05Minister Goyal
39:06is an incredible individual.
39:08He has become a friend
39:09here in Delhi,
39:10so I always enjoy seeing him.
39:12He travels just as much
39:13as I do.
39:14So he's out of the country
39:15promoting his business.
39:18But when he is here in town,
39:19we do enjoy getting together.
39:21And in fact,
39:22we're very happy
39:22that he'll soon be traveling
39:23to the United States.
39:24He'll be traveling
39:26to Chicago in two weeks
39:28for the G20 Commerce Ministerial.
39:31We just had the Finance Minister
39:32of India this week
39:34in North Carolina.
39:36And that all leads up
39:37to December
39:38and when we will have,
39:40hopefully,
39:40Prime Minister Modi
39:41joining the G20 Summit
39:43in beautiful and sunny Florida.
39:46Yes.
39:47I mean,
39:47we obviously are looking
39:48forward to that.
39:49I mean,
39:49so, you know,
39:50just to go back
39:51to this conversation,
39:53India recently posted,
39:53you know,
39:547.8% GDP growth.
39:56What are you telling
39:57American businesses
39:58about, you know,
39:59working with India,
40:00especially when you also
40:01mentioned trade?
40:02I mean,
40:02are you excited to see,
40:03you know,
40:04India doing so well
40:05and then obviously,
40:06you know,
40:06having these businesses
40:07come invest in India
40:08so that there is a goal
40:10of $500 billion trade
40:11between both the nations?
40:12I mean,
40:12what are you telling,
40:13you know,
40:14some of your American CEOs
40:15about India
40:16and what's the message
40:17you're giving to them?
40:18Look,
40:19great question.
40:20I'll share with you two things.
40:21The trade goes both ways.
40:23And so every U.S. embassy
40:24brings in new investments
40:25to the United States.
40:27We were incredibly pleased
40:29that my embassy here in India
40:30came in first.
40:31So other embassies announced
40:32two,
40:33three,
40:33five billion dollars
40:34of new investment
40:35into the United States.
40:36We came in first
40:37with $24 billion.
40:38On the flip side of that
40:40is you're seeing
40:40American companies
40:41that are coming to India
40:43and opening up shop here.
40:44And so whether that's
40:45Microsoft or Google
40:46or data centers
40:48or AI centers
40:49or even pharma companies,
40:51there is so much happening
40:52between our two countries.
40:53It comes down to trust
40:55and it comes down
40:55to stability.
40:57And so India doing well
40:58is a great thing for us.
40:59We want a stable India.
41:00We want to work
41:01with a stable India.
41:02And that is,
41:03I will share this with you,
41:05a lot of that is credit
41:06to your prime minister.
41:07He brings a stability
41:09to India
41:09that doesn't exist
41:11in other parts of the world.
41:12It's an incredible achievement
41:13in such a vibrant democracy
41:15that your prime minister
41:16has been here
41:17for 12 years.
41:18And so that's something
41:19that we're very,
41:21you know,
41:21it's a good thing
41:23for the world
41:23when there's stability.
41:24Your prime minister
41:25brings incredible stability
41:26to India
41:27and that's something
41:28that the United States
41:29is very pleased with.
41:32Mr. Gore,
41:33you know,
41:33we talked about trade
41:34and let's pivot towards
41:36one of the interesting
41:37aspects of defense.
41:38A lot of people
41:39may not know this,
41:40you know,
41:4026 years ago,
41:42there was almost $0
41:43of defense trade
41:44with India.
41:45Now we've seen
41:46that number climb up
41:47to more than $25 billion.
41:48We recently saw
41:49the announcement
41:51of, you know,
41:52Tata Advanced Systems
41:53for the Javelin Joint Venture,
41:54a big milestone,
41:56something that,
41:56you know,
41:56India I know
41:57has been wanting
41:58to do for a long time
41:59about manufacturing,
42:00co-manufacturing,
42:01developing,
42:02co-developing in India.
42:03You know,
42:03how does this help
42:05with the U.S. goal,
42:06especially when it comes
42:07to ramping up
42:09the global defense
42:10supply chains?
42:11I mean,
42:12is this something,
42:13you know,
42:13the first big milestone?
42:15Are we going to be seeing
42:16more such deals
42:17in the future?
42:18Look,
42:18it's a great question.
42:20Our defense relationship
42:21is not just about sales.
42:23It's also about trust.
42:25The United States
42:26doesn't just sell
42:28military equipment
42:29around the world
42:29to everybody.
42:30And so India
42:31isn't a group of people
42:32that the United States trusts.
42:33We believe
42:34we have the best equipment,
42:35we have the best technology,
42:36we have the most
42:37advanced technology.
42:38And working with trusted partners
42:40like India
42:40is an incredible opportunity.
42:41So whether that's
42:42the Javelins
42:43that you mentioned,
42:44or whether that's
42:44Apache helicopters
42:45that got delivered
42:46earlier in the year,
42:48or various other items
42:50that are in the works.
42:51Yes,
42:51there is a lot more
42:52happening in defense sales,
42:54which is a good thing.
42:56But also,
42:57the relationship
42:57is anchored on
42:58incredible trust,
42:59incredible exercises.
43:00Just a few weeks
43:01from now,
43:01the largest exercise
43:03here in India,
43:03Udabas,
43:04will be happening
43:05in Rajasthan.
43:06That's where the United States
43:07and India participate together.
43:08India has more
43:10military exercises
43:11with the United States
43:12than any other country.
43:14And we trust India.
43:15And so that's something
43:16that's an area
43:17we'll continue to grow,
43:18we'll continue to engage in.
43:19And again,
43:20it also comes down
43:21to the friendship
43:21that our president
43:22has with your prime minister.
43:23They truly have
43:24a real friendship.
43:25And as you saw
43:27at the G7
43:28a couple months ago
43:29in France,
43:30the president
43:30was very clear,
43:31as long as my friend
43:32Prime Minister Modi
43:33is there,
43:34India will be able
43:35to rely on
43:36the United States.
43:38That was a very,
43:39very, you know,
43:40glaring statement
43:41that he made,
43:42you know,
43:42obviously.
43:44Now, moving on
43:45to the other,
43:46you know,
43:46visits that you've announced
43:48during the course
43:49of this interview.
43:50You've talked about
43:51Secretary Rubio
43:51and his, you know,
43:53upcoming visit to India.
43:54He was there
43:55just back in May.
43:57What can you tell us
43:57about this upcoming visit,
43:59especially, you know,
44:00what areas
44:01will be discussed?
44:02I know you've mentioned
44:03that they're all areas
44:04that India and U.S.
44:06work with,
44:06but anything specific,
44:08any tangible outcomes
44:08that we are looking at
44:09from this October visit
44:10of Secretary Rubio?
44:11Look, any time
44:12our leaders speak
44:14to each other,
44:14good things happen.
44:15And so my goal
44:17is to ensure
44:18not only the president
44:19and the prime minister,
44:20but also our ministers
44:21are constantly engaged.
44:23You're seeing
44:23a level of engagement
44:25that is unmatched
44:26from previous years
44:27in terms of cabinet officials
44:28coming to India
44:29and ministers traveling
44:31to the United States.
44:33And so anytime
44:34the secretary
44:35is able to come here,
44:36I think that's
44:37a phenomenal thing.
44:38In his last,
44:39on his last trip,
44:40he came for four days.
44:41As you know,
44:42Rohit,
44:43the secretary's not able
44:44to get away from the White House
44:45for four days,
44:45rarely.
44:46That was his longest trip
44:47outside of the United States
44:49without the president.
44:50And he's actually
44:51coming back in October.
44:52I had a minister here
44:53ask me,
44:54they said,
44:54this is very rare
44:55that the secretary
44:56of the United States,
44:57the secretary of state,
44:57would come twice
44:58in such a short time
44:59to India.
45:00And my message to them
45:01was very clear,
45:02get used to it.
45:03We want to have
45:04a closer relationship
45:05and that means
45:06we have to show up
45:07and vice versa.
45:08And so I anticipate
45:10not only Secretary Rubio,
45:11but a lot of other
45:12cabinet officials.
45:12In fact,
45:13we have some already
45:14in the works
45:14that we've not announced.
45:16We also have some governors.
45:17Before the end of the year,
45:18I anticipate three governors
45:19coming here,
45:20one a month,
45:21from very significant
45:22and large states.
45:23And they're all coming
45:24because they have seen
45:26the incredible opportunities
45:28for the United States
45:29and India
45:29to work together on
45:30and to identify
45:31those win-win situations.
45:34This, you know,
45:35Ambassador Gornan,
45:36and I have to say this,
45:38you know,
45:38before you came
45:39into India last,
45:40this January,
45:40it's only been,
45:41what, eight months,
45:42there was a period
45:43of cautioning
45:44about the India-US relationship.
45:45And now we see this,
45:46I could say,
45:47unprecedented,
45:48you know,
45:48kind of momentum,
45:49the frequency of engagement
45:51between both the countries
45:53at different levels.
45:55But the caution will remain
45:56and a lot of people
45:57will ask is,
45:58when are we going
46:00to see the trade deal?
46:01Anything you can tell us
46:02about that part?
46:03Okay, the trade deal
46:04is progressing.
46:05As you know,
46:06within a month
46:06of having reached
46:08India as ambassador,
46:09we had announced
46:09a trade deal.
46:10The Supreme Court,
46:12unfortunately,
46:13struck down one of the laws
46:14in the United States.
46:15And so we've had to go back
46:16and rewrite a lot of that.
46:18And so that is being rebuilt.
46:20I am fully confident
46:21that we will get a trade deal
46:23across the finish line.
46:24And so in the next,
46:26in the next few weeks,
46:27the next few months,
46:28hopefully we're able
46:28to finalize this trade deal.
46:31I will say,
46:32keep in perspective,
46:33because a lot of people
46:33ask me,
46:34well, it's been a year.
46:34Well, the European Union
46:35has been 20 plus years
46:37and it's still not done.
46:38And so, you know,
46:40we're way ahead
46:41of a lot of other partners.
46:43And again,
46:44the trade deal,
46:45it's a beneficial deal
46:48for both sides.
46:49There's incredible opportunities
46:51for both sides.
46:52Both sides realize that
46:53and that's something
46:54that we'll be able
46:55to move on
46:56in the very near future.
46:58Okay.
46:59And now, you know,
47:00as we've talked about
47:01this engagement, right,
47:02you talked about
47:03a finance minister
47:04being in the U.S. recently.
47:05We've got,
47:06we'll obviously see
47:06the commerce minister
47:07towards the end of this month.
47:09Obviously,
47:10Jashankar,
47:10Prime Minister Jashankar
47:11is going to be in America.
47:13We know there's going to be
47:14a, you know,
47:14G20 ministerial meeting
47:15in October,
47:16then moving towards
47:18Prime Minister's visit.
47:19Any key bilateral moments
47:21or side engagements
47:22we can expect
47:23at the G20 in December
47:24when Prime Minister Moody
47:25travels to Florida?
47:27Well, look,
47:28I mean,
47:29Dr. Jashankar,
47:29who's also,
47:31you mentioned that
47:31Minister Goyal
47:32is one of my favorites,
47:33but so is Dr. Jashankar.
47:35Dr. Jashankar,
47:36I believe,
47:36and you'll have to check
47:37with the MEA,
47:38but I anticipate
47:39that he'll also be going
47:40to the United States
47:41in this month
47:42because of the UN.
47:44And so not only
47:44is he going in September,
47:45he's going,
47:46hopefully going in October.
47:47And then we anticipate
47:48he comes back in December.
47:50So that's three times
47:50in the next four months.
47:52That doesn't happen every year.
47:54And so we're very pleased
47:55with that.
47:55We're very pleased
47:56with that level of engagement.
47:57As it relates to the G20,
47:59I don't have any specific
48:00announcements for you,
48:01but I will say,
48:02because the president
48:03considers the prime minister
48:04a friend,
48:05I do anticipate
48:06that there'll be more
48:07to that visit
48:08than just a group meeting.
48:12If you had to ask
48:13the president,
48:14hey, you have 35 people coming,
48:15who do you want to see?
48:16The prime minister
48:17would be at the top
48:18of that list.
48:19Well, that's definitely
48:21increasing that.
48:22Before I let you go,
48:22two last questions.
48:24First, in looking
48:25at the overall momentum,
48:26you know,
48:27what gives you
48:28the highest degree
48:29of confidence
48:31regarding the direction
48:32of the strategic partnership
48:34over the next,
48:35you know,
48:35few months
48:35and the next few years?
48:37I think the biggest thing
48:38that gives me confidence
48:39is you look at the numbers
48:40and the numbers don't lie.
48:42There's opinion on TV
48:44every single day.
48:44There's opinion
48:45in the United States.
48:46There's opinion in India,
48:47but the numbers don't lie.
48:48And so year after year,
48:50our bilateral trade increases.
48:51Year after year,
48:53military purchases increase.
48:55Year after year,
48:55military exercises increase.
48:57So when you look
48:58at the trajectory
48:58of this relationship
48:59and you look at the numbers,
49:02our relationship
49:02is doing this.
49:03It's on a constant rise.
49:05And so that's
49:06an incredible thing
49:08to witness.
49:08And frankly,
49:09it's also an envy
49:10for other countries.
49:11Not every country
49:12is able to develop this
49:14and develop so fast.
49:16One reason that is happening
49:18is because we have
49:19two leaders
49:19that are results-oriented
49:21and they move fast.
49:23Your prime minister
49:24wants to get things done
49:25and he wants to get them
49:25done fast.
49:26And that is something
49:27that the president
49:27strongly believes in.
49:29So when those two things align,
49:31good things happen.
49:32There's a reason
49:33we're having so much engagement.
49:35Virtually every week,
49:36you have somebody coming here
49:37or somebody going
49:38to the United States.
49:39We just had the
49:40Quad Sherpa Summit.
49:41We got the Quad Ministerial Summit
49:42coming.
49:42We got the G20 coming.
49:44There's so much happening
49:46and that gives me
49:47great confidence.
49:49Well, and my last question,
49:51Ambassador,
49:52you know,
49:52we see President Donald Trump
49:53right behind you
49:54in that portrait.
49:55He had a lot of fun
49:57when he came to India.
49:59I think it was 2020.
50:01You know,
50:02a big,
50:03you know,
50:03what we've been told,
50:04my source of told,
50:05there's something going on
50:06in works
50:06for the next year's visit.
50:08I'm not going to ask you
50:09to announce anything,
50:10but how excited
50:11is the President
50:12to come back to India?
50:13Look,
50:14the President has
50:15incredibly fond memories
50:16of India.
50:17I spoke to the President
50:18earlier this week
50:19and he has incredible
50:21fond memories of India.
50:22He recalls his visit here.
50:24Every single time
50:25I speak to him,
50:26he remembers very fondly
50:27the incredible visit
50:29that he had here,
50:30the incredible people
50:31he met here.
50:32Of course,
50:32his dear friend,
50:33the Prime Minister.
50:34And so,
50:36stay tuned.
50:37That's all I can say.
50:37But,
50:38you know,
50:39next year we'll be here
50:40before you know it.
50:43All right.
50:43Ambassador,
50:43thank you so much
50:44for taking time
50:45off your business schedule
50:45and speaking with us.
50:46We look forward
50:47to speaking with you more
50:49as these engagements
50:51pile up
50:51and then obviously
50:52would love to see you
50:53in person
50:53whenever we can.
50:54Thank you so much,
50:55Ambassador.
50:56Always great to be
50:57with you,
50:57Rohit,
50:57and I enjoy
50:59watching you
51:00on most evenings.
51:01You know,
51:01when I get down
51:02at the Embassy
51:02and I get home,
51:03quite often
51:04I watch India today.
51:06All right.
51:07Ambassador,
51:07thank you so much.
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