Chakravyuh
Chakravyuh with Gaurav Sawant is India Today Group’s sharp new podcast that cuts through the fog of war and diplomacy. Join veteran war correspondent and one of India’s most trusted voices in defence journalism, Gaurav Sawant, as he dives deep into the world of national security, strategy, and geopolitics. With exclusive insights, high-stakes analysis, and frontline access, Chakravyuh brings you the untold stories behind India’s biggest defence and strategic moves. If it matters to India’s security—you’ll hear it here first.
Episodes
Can There Be Normalisation Without An End To Terror? | Chakravyuh | EP 37
In this episode of the Chakravyuh podcast, host Gaurav Sawant speaks with Congress MP and strategic affairs commentator Manish Tewari on the growing debate over resuming dialogue with Pakistan. The discussion comes in the backdrop of an open letter signed by 117 eminent personalities from India and Pakistan calling for the restoration of diplomatic engagement, trade, people-to-people contact and b
The Great Nicobar Game Changer | Chakravyuh | EP 36
In this episode of the Chakravyuh podcast, host Gaurav Sawant speaks with Admiral DK Joshi, Lieutenant Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Vice-Chairman of the Islands Development Agency and former Chief of Naval Staff, about the Great Nicobar Island Project. Joshi explains why the project is strategically vital for India, highlighting its location near key maritime choke points and its
From Shallow Surgical Strikes To Deep Precision Strikes | Chakravyuh | EP 35
In this episode of Chakravyuh, host Gaurav Sawant speaks with former Indian Air Force chief R. K. S. Bhadauria on how Operation Sindoor forced Pakistan to seek a ceasefire within 88 hours. The discussion breaks down India’s unprecedented strikes on terror hubs like Bahawalpur and Muridke, the role of Rafales, S-400 systems, drones, and precision weapons, and how India punched through Pakistan’s ai
The Naval Challenges Of Keeping Global Trade Moving | Chakravyuh | EP 34
In this episode of the Chakravyuh podcast, Gaurav Sawant speaks with the Deputy Commander of the Netherlands Navy, Major General Rob De Vitt on rising global maritime tensions as the Strait of Hormuz remains choked amid the Iran conflict. The discussion explores how navies from over 40 nations, including India and the Netherlands, are preparing to secure vital sea lanes of communication once a cea
No Pause For Lebanon As More Israeli Strikes Loom On The Horizon | Chakravyuh | EP 33
In this episode of Chakravyuh, Gaurav Sawant speaks with Israel's Ambassador to India, Reuven Azar on the fragile ceasefire in West Asia after weeks of conflict. While tensions with Iran ease temporarily, Azar makes it clear that the front remains active, stating that “operations against Hezbollah will continue” in Lebanon. He outlines plans to neutralise threats and maintain a buffer along the no
India’s Maritime Shield Activated Amid Rising Tensions | Chakravyuh | EP 32
In this episode of Chakravyuh, Gaurav Sawant speaks with Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command of the Indian Navy on the escalating West Asia conflict and its impact on maritime security. Swaminathan explains how disruptions in key choke points like the Strait of Hormuz are threatening global trade and India’s energy lifelines. He says Indi
Escalation Trap Deepens As Ground Operations Loom | Chakravyuh | EP 31
In this episode of Chakravyuh, Gaurav Sawant speaks with the founding director of the CPOST, Robert Pape on the reported deployment of US Marines and 82nd Airborne troops to West Asia. Pape describes the situation as an “escalation trap,” warning that tactical gains against Iran may not translate into strategic success. He cautions that ground operations could trigger a prolonged war of attrition,
Iran Under Pressure: Can The Regime Survive? | Chakravyuh | EP 30
In this episode of Chakravyuh, Gaurav Sawant speaks with John Bolton, who served as National Security Advisor during President Donald Trump’s first term and earlier as US Ambassador to the UN. He outlines how the US-Israel campaign is aimed at weakening Iran’s regime while enabling internal opposition to rise. He warns of escalation risks, including threats to the Strait of Hormuz and possible glo
The Iran, Israel And US Confrontation Could Change The Global Order | Chakravyuh | EP 29
In this explosive episode of Chakravyuh, host Gaurav Sawant speaks with renowned American economist Jeffrey D. Sachs, who delivers a blistering critique of the US military strike on Iran. Calling the attack a premeditated move rooted in decades of pressure from Israel, Sachs questions Washington’s claims of an imminent threat and warns the conflict could spiral into a catastrophic global confronta
Firepower & Fallout: The Naravane Revelations | Chakravyuh | EP 28
On this special episode of Chakravyuh, host Gaurav Sawant is joined by former Army Commander Lt Gen Raj Shukla, former Corps Commander Lt Gen Devendra Pratap Pandey, and Senior Journalist Sandeep Unnithan to debate the controversy surrounding former Army Chief General Manoj Mukund Naravane’s unpublished memoir Four Stars of Destiny. The panel examines claims by Rahul Gandhi that the government abd
“Bring Him Back”: Celina Jaitly’s Emotional Appeal for Brother | Chakravyuh | EP 27
In this episode of Chakravyuh, host Gaurav Sawant speaks with actor Celina Jaitly as she opens up about her painful and relentless fight to bring back her brother, Major Vikrant Jaitly, a former Special Forces commando, detained in the UAE since September 2024. She recounts the moment he was taken, the months of silence, and her personal struggle to find answers.Don't miss this deeply emotional co
Iran’s Uprising Is About Liberation, Not Regime Change | Chakravyuh | EP 26
Description: In this episode of Chakravyuh, host Gaurav Sawant speaks with German-American human rights activist, Gazelle Sharmahd. She discusses the escalating tensions in Iran and the potential for a transition of power. She further asserts that the current situation is not merely a call for change of government, but a movement for the "liberation of a nation from a foreign occupying murderous r
Dharma Yuddha vs Jihad: Indian Army on War, Peace & Pakistan | Chakravyuh | EP 25
India Today’s Gaurav Sawant speaks with Lieutenant General Manoj Kumar Katiyar, Army Commander – Western Command on What Dharma Yuddha truly means, how India balances peace and preparedness, ethics and force, and why India’s wars have always been fought as a last resort. Produced by Areeb Raza Sound mixed by Aman Pal
Inside the New India–Russia Equation: What the West Gets Wrong | Chakravyuh | EP 24
In this powerful episode of the Chakravyuh podcast, host Gaurav Sawant sits down with geopolitical expert Michael Kugelman from the Atlantic Council to decode the global implications of Vladimir Putin’s visit to India. Together, they break down U.S. reactions, Western double standards, shifting alliances, and what India’s strategic autonomy means for the future world order. From Ukraine to Indo-Pa
US Deep State, ISI, Islamists: The Hidden Forces Shaping Bangladesh? | Chakravyuh | EP 23
In this hard-hitting episode of The Chakravyuh Podcast, host Gaurav Sawant speaks with author and analyst Jaideep Mazumdar on the explosive developments in Bangladesh following Sheikh Hasina’s ouster and death sentence in absentia. The discussion uncovers how a seemingly student-led movement was allegedly engineered by the US deep state, Pakistan’s ISI and radical Islamist groups, pushing
Dangerous Doctors of Death: Anatomy of Radicalisation | Chakravyuh | EP 22
In this gripping episode of Chakravyuh, host Gaurav Sawant is joined by Dr Vikram Singh, former DGP Uttar Pradesh, to dissect the shocking Red Fort blast and the doctors turned terrorists behind it. They expose the radicalisation networks operating in India and the loopholes exploited by terror outfits. Listen as Dr Singh, who led major anti-terror ops, shares rare insights into
India in midst Pak-Bangladesh chakravyuh | Chakravyuh | EP 21
In this gripping episode of The Chakravyuh Podcast, host Gaurav Sawant discusses with Former Ambassador to Bangladesh Veena Sikri the clear and present danger India faces from Bangladesh. The episode highlights the alarming Pakistan-Bangladesh military cooperation near India's border, the rise in support for terror groups like the Lashkar-e-Taiba, and the controversial preacher Zakir Naik’s potent
Pakistan’s Strategic Dilemma: Afghanistan and India’s New Equation | Chakravyuh | EP 20
In this episode of the Chakravyuh Podcast with Gaurav Sawant, former Indian Ambassador to Afghanistan Vivek Katju dissects the rapidly shifting India-Afghanistan equation, the Taliban’s diplomatic outreach, and its implications for Pakistan’s internal problems. With historical insights into Pashtun nationalism, the Durand Line, and India’s evolving security doctrine post-Operation Sindoor, Ambassa
Pulwama to Pahalgam: India’s Ready to Finish Terroristan | Chakravyuh | EP 19
In this explosive episode of the Chakravyuh podcast, Gaurav Sawant sits down with Lt. Gen. Kanwal Jeet Singh ‘Tiny’ Dhillon (Retd.) to reveal the untold story of Operation Sindoor--India’s daring 88-hour campaign that broke Pakistan’s air defenses, demolished terror launchpads, and forced an unprecedented ceasefire plea. From the Leepa Valley fire assault to hidden battles with global arms lobbies
Inside Operation Sindoor: India’s 88-Hour Assault That Rewrote the Rules of Deterrence | Chakravyuh | EP 18
India’s Operation Sindoor marks a historic shift in modern warfare — the first sustained air campaign between nuclear-armed states. In this exciting episode of The Chakravyuh Podcast, Gaurav Sawant speaks with Professor Walter Ladwig from King’s College London on India’s deep airstrikes inside Pakistan, the destruction of terror camps and airbases, and how China’s role complicates the regional bal
India's Thousand Years of Resistance and Cultural Unity |Chakravyuh | EP 17
The history of India is one of indigenous rulers valiantly fighting wars of resistance against waves of foreign invaders, determined to safeguard their culture, traditions and way of life. Across centuries, a rich tapestry of kingdoms and dynasties upheld the values and spirit of India, keeping its civilizational identity alive for millennia and shaping one of the world’s most vibrant cultures. Do
Pakistan’s Army Chief & PM In White House: What Does It Mean For India | Chakravyuh | EP 16
Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir and Prime Minister Sharif met President Trump at the White House just as U.S–India relations faced disruptions over tariffs, H-1B visas, and pharmaceuticals. Rare earth mineral deals and a landmark Saudi–Pakistan defense pact added new dimensions. Don’t forget to watch this exciting episode of Chakravuyh as Gaurav Sawant is joined by the Former High Commissioner of
1965 War & Operation Sindoor: How India Defeated Pakistan | Chakravyuh | EP 15
Join us on the Chakravyuh podcast as we dive into the historic 1965 India-Pakistan War and the recent Operation Sindoor, where the Indian Armed Forces delivered a decisive blow to Pakistan without crossing the Ichogil Canal! Lt. Gen. Manoj Kumar Katyar, Army Commander, Western Command, and a key architect of Operation Sindoor, shares exclusive insights into India’s victories, the graveyard of Paki
From Shri Ram to Gurkhas: India-Nepal’s Unbreakable Bond | Chakravyuh | EP 14
Nepal, the Himalayan paradise, is in turmoil. From burning palaces to protests against political leadership, what’s driving the unrest? In this episode of the Chakravyuh Podcast, Lt. Gen. Rakesh Sharma, former Adjutant General of the Indian Army and Colonel of the 11 Gurkha Rifles, joins us to explore Nepal’s crisis and the deep civilizational bond between India and Nepal. From Lord Ram’s wisdom i
Sanatan Dharma: Reconnecting with India’s Spiritual Legacy | Chakravyuh | EP 13
The Chakravyuh podcast features an exploration of India's cultural and spiritual foundations with Swami Dr. UmaKantAnand Saraswati Ji Maharaj, Mahamandaleshwar of Juna Akhada. The discussion addresses societal issues such as the abandonment of the elderly in Ayodhya and Maharashtra and the disrespect shown to PM Narendra Modi's late mother, questioning whether these incidents indicate a depar
Kiren Rijiju Slams Rahul Gandhi: Is Congress Killing Democracy?| Chakravyuh | EP 12
In this week’s edition of Chakravyuh, host Gaurav Sawant speaks to Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju about the recently concluded Monsoon Session of Parliament. Rijiju attributes 83 hours of wasted Parliamentary time - costing taxpayers millions - to the Opposition, specifically the Congress and Rahul Gandhi. He highlights the passage of numerous bills, including anti-corruption la
Vivek Agnihotri on Bengal Files: Fighting Censorship & Hindu History | Chakravyuh | EP 11
In this powerful episode of the Chakravyuh Podcast, host Gaurav Sawant welcomes filmmaker Vivek Agnihotri, director of The Kashmir Files, The Tashkent Files, and the upcoming The Bengal Files. Wearing his iconic "Never Again" t-shirt, Agnihotri dives deep into what he alleges is a 1200-year history of Hindu persecution, focusing on the brutal Direct Action Day and Noakhali Genocide in Bengal. Fr
India–China Relations: Thaw or Illusion? | Ambassador Ashok Kantha Explains | Chakravyuh | Ep 10
India and China—two ancient civilizations and Asian giants—have a long history of friendship, conflict, and mistrust. With Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to India and an invitation to Prime Minister Modi for the SCO Summit in Tianjin, is the relationship finally on the mend?In this episode of the Chakravyuh Podcast, Ambassador Ashok Kantha, India’s former Ambassador to China, joins Gaura
Modi's Foreign Policy Masterclass: Navigating the Chakravyuh with Russia & Europe | Chakravyuh | Ep 09
On the ‘Chakravyuh’ Podcast, we dive deep into India's central role in the swirling vortex of global geopolitics. Ambassador Kanwal Sibal, former Foreign Secretary and Ambassador to Russia and France joins Gaurav Sawant. With over 41 years in diplomacy, Ambassador Sibal breaks down India's strategic positioning amid US tariffs under Trump, warming ties with Pakistan, challenges from China post-Gal
"Hindu Terror Bogey Exposed”: Ujjwal Nikam on Pakistan’s Terror Plots | Chakravyuh | Ep 08
In this explosive episode of the Chakravyuh Podcast, host Gaurav Rawat sits down with Ujjwal Nikam, renowned public prosecutor and Rajya Sabha MP, to uncover the chilling details of Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism against India. From the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts that killed 257 people to the 26/11 terror attacks, Nikam reveals firsthand accounts of ISI’s involvement, the Hindu terror bogey,
Pakistan on the Brink: Asim Munir’s Power Grab & Balochistan’s Fight for Freedom | Chakravyuh | Ep 07
Unveiling Pakistan’s Crisis: Tilak Devasher on Chakravyuh Podcast.Join Gaurav Sawant as he hosts Pakistan expert Tilak Devasher, author of four books on Pakistan and former Special Secretary in the Cabinet Secretariat, on a riveting episode of The Chakravyuh Podcast. Dive deep into Pakistan’s turmoil: Is Army Chief Asim Munir plotting a constitutional coup to become President? Can the Baloch Liber
From Kargil to Galwan: Untold tales of unparalleled valour | Chakravyuh | Ep 06
Join us on this gripping Chakravyuh podcast special as we dive into the untold stories of the Kargil War with Lt. General Y.K. Joshi (Retd.), Vir Chakra, Uttam Yudh Seva Medal, PVSM, AVSM, SM. From the treacherous heights of Tololing to the iconic capture of Point 4875 (Batra Top), hear firsthand accounts of bravery, strategy, and sacrifice from the commander of 13 JAK Rifles. General Joshi recoun
India’s Space, Ocean & Quantum Future | Dr. Jitendra Singh on Chakravyuh with Gaurav Sawant | Ep 05
India’s space program is no longer just about launching rockets. From sending humanoid robots like Vyom Mitra into orbit, to mapping the deep ocean floor for minerals, to building the indigenous Bharat Space Station—India is scripting a technological revolution. In this exclusive episode of Chakravyuh Podcast, Gaurav Sawant speaks to Dr. Jitendra Singh—Union Minister, diabetologist, and the mind b
This Is What Winning Looks Like” – John Spencer on India's Sindoor Strike Chakravyuh | Ep 04
India's Operation Sindoor decoded by top US war strategist Colonel John Spencer. Colonel Spencer — Chair of Urban Warfare Studies at West Point, combat veteran, and author — joins the India Today Chakravyuh Podcast for an explosive conversation on India's bold new military doctrine post-Operation Sindoor. In this candid and unfiltered interview with host Gaurav Sawant, Spencer shares insights from
India’s Air Strike Doctrine EXPOSED | Balakot to Sindoor: Air Power Unleashed | Chakravyuh ft. ACM Bhadauria | Ep 03
We’re not Abhimanyu… We’re Arjun.” Chakravyuh explores the frontline of modern warfare with Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria, former Chief of Air Staff. From Balakot to Operation Sindoor, this no-holds-barred conversation reveals: 🔺How Air Power became India’s weapon of choice 🔺Why precision air strikes replaced ground invasions 🔺Inside India’s 9th and 10th May night aerial blitz that shattered
We Hit Back: Iran Miscalculated | Israel’s Warning to the World | Reuven Azar on Chakravyuh Ep 2
In this explosive interview on Chakravyuh with Gaurav Sawant, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar breaks his silence on Israel’s recent strikes, Iran’s nuclear ambitions, and the regional fallout. Has Israel crippled Iran’s nuclear program for years? Why did Iran plan a Hezbollah-Hamas invasion by 2027? Is this the end of Hamas in Gaza? What does Israel think of India and Operation Sindoor? Am
Xi’s Great Purge? 100 PLA Generals Removed | What It Means for India? | Chakravyuh Ep 1
In this explosive debut episode of Chakravyuh, India Today’s Gaurav Sawant is joined by Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd) to unpack the chaos behind The Great Wall of China. Why has Xi removed almost 100 top PLA generals? Are we witnessing the biggest power purge since Mao? How should India—especially after Operation Sindoor—read between the red lines? What we know so far: Xi’s closest military aides have
