Global News Podcast – "Why is President Putin Visiting India?"

Date: December 4, 2025
Host: Ankar Desai, BBC World Service

Episode Overview

This episode examines Russian President Vladimir Putin's two-day state visit to India amid ongoing Western sanctions and the war in Ukraine. The podcast dissects the significance of the Russia-India bilateral relationship, the pressure applied by the US on India over Russian oil imports, and the broader geopolitical implications. Additional coverage includes the New York Times' lawsuit against the Pentagon, US immigration enforcement crackdowns, a setback in global child mortality, the crackdown on scam centers in Myanmar, Australia's new social media ban for children, and the debate over Israel’s participation in Eurovision.

Key Segments & Insights

1. President Putin's Visit to India — Geopolitics and Oil ([02:27]–[06:55])

Main Points:

• Putin’s visit aims to reinforce Russia’s critical relationship with India, its major oil buyer amid Western sanctions.
• India faces intense US pressure to reduce Russian oil imports, with President Trump having imposed steep tariffs on Indian exports as a means of coercion.
• The India-Russia relationship is multifaceted, grounded in historical and defense ties but now increasingly scrutinized for its energy partnership.

Key Quotes and Analysis:

• Arun Mukherjee, BBC Delhi:

  • “It’s always been a tightrope walk, but more so now...It is taking place as there is that sustained pressure from the US against India continuing to buy Russian oil.” ([03:30])
  • On Modi’s dilemma: “He needs to ensure India stays true to an age-old friend...while also ensuring it does not upset any prospects of a possible trade agreement between India and the US in the near future.” ([03:51])
  • On oil and defense: “India has also ensured inflation remains at a certain level thanks to its purchase of discounted Russian oil...The other aspect of cooperation is likely to be defence, another sticky situation.” ([04:46])

• Steve Rosenberg, Russia Editor:

  • “India sees Russia as an important partner...there is this strategic partnership...India buying Russian oil has been a lifeline for the Russian economy.” ([05:47])
  • On geopolitics: “Whenever Vladimir Putin goes abroad on a state visit...the Kremlin can use this and turns to the West and says...there are plenty of countries...who want to do business with Russia.” ([06:24])

Notable Moment:

• The podcast underscores how India’s choices are watched closely by both Western powers and Russia, emphasizing the high geopolitical stakes.

2. Pentagon Sued by New York Times over Press Restrictions ([07:31]–[09:47])

Main Points:

• New press regulations require Pentagon journalists to sign pledges limiting their reporting to officially authorized information.
• The New York Times is suing the Department of Defense on First Amendment/free press grounds, arguing these policies close off vital reporting avenues.
• New accreditation measures at the Pentagon have led to a shift in press corps composition, favoring more conservative, pro-Trump media.

Key Quotes:

• “It essentially means that accredited journalists can only report on information when it’s been authorized by officials.” – Mimi Swaby, Global Affairs Reporter ([07:38])
• “They [NYT] say these policies really threaten lawful and routine news gathering techniques...go against everything that having a free press in the United States stands for.” ([09:28])

3. U.S. Immigration Crackdown in New Orleans and Minnesota ([09:47]–[19:11])

Main Points:

• New federal deportation raids are instilling fear in immigrant communities, often detaining even those without criminal records.
• President Trump’s harsh rhetoric targets Somali Americans, calling their community “garbage,” sparking criticism and fear among legal immigrants and U.S. citizens.
• Mixed reactions among U.S. politicians, with Republican state senator Michael Holmstrom supporting the federal actions and Democratic senator Omar Fateh condemning the moves as political theater.

Quotes & Reactions:

• Community voices during raids: “Heartbreak. These people came to work today to provide for their families...and they could just be abducted and removed.” ([11:03]–[11:12])
• Donald Trump: “These Somalians have taken billions of dollars out of our country...they have destroyed Minnesota. Okay? It’s a hellhole right now. And the Somalians should be out of here.” ([14:06])
• Omar Fateh, Minnesota State Senator:
  • “We have the President of the United States...targeting an entire community based off who they are and how they identify.” ([16:00])
  • “Our immigrant communities...are a nation of immigrants...What makes America America is the diversity that we have.” ([17:13])
  • “There’s fraud in every community...what we’re seeing right now is an election year tactic...to target a community for political expediency.” ([18:43])

4. Rising Preventable Child Deaths – Global Setback ([21:20]–[24:29])

Main Points:

• The Gates Foundation projects a rise in under-5 child deaths to 4.8 million in 2025, reversing decades of progress.
• Aid cuts from Western countries, especially since 2020, are the primary reason, affecting health infrastructure and vaccination campaigns.
• Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia are the hardest hit regions.

Notable Quote:

• “As recently as 2000, there were over 10 million preventable child deaths a year...2025 marks a massive historical setback in the fight against preventable child mortality.” – Mark Suzman, Gates Foundation CEO ([21:56])
• “If they don’t give enough money...you can see millions of children dying by 2045 if the trend is not stopped.” – Ambarasan Ettirajan, Global Affairs Reporter ([23:20])

5. Myanmar’s Scam Centers and Civil War ([24:29]–[26:51])

Main Points:

• Myanmar has become a hub for international scam operations, as criminal enterprises exploit the chaos of civil war.
• Both the military and insurgent Karen National Union (KNU) claim to be shutting down scam compounds, though many remain skeptical about the military’s intentions.
• Large numbers of local people have been displaced by the conflict.

Vivid Field Reporting:

• Jonathan Head, on the Thai-Myanmar border:
  • “We see a column of smoke going up from where those detonations were. All this fighting has escalated because both sides...say they’re trying to shut down the scam compounds...” ([25:04])

6. Australia’s Social Media Ban for Children ([26:51]–[28:54])

Main Points:

• Meta is removing accounts of under-16s, ahead of the social media age restriction coming into effect.
• 350,000 Instagram and 150,000 Facebook accounts impacted; companies risk large fines if they do not comply.
• Teens share mixed feelings; tech firms cite concerns about efficacy and fairness.

Student Perspective:

• “Lots of us are pretty dependent on it. It will be a shock once it’s taken away...I could lose out on meeting new people and making new friends.” ([27:43])
• “I’m pretty grateful to not have had that access...because it means that I’m not involved in the conflicts and the dramas that have arisen.” ([28:17])

7. Eurovision: Should Israel Compete? ([28:54]–[32:16])

Main Points:

• Meeting in Geneva to decide if Israel should take part in Eurovision 2026, amid criticism of its actions in Gaza.
• Split: some countries (Ireland, Spain, Netherlands, Slovenia) threaten a boycott if Israel is allowed, while Germany threatens to withdraw financial support if Israel is excluded.
• Issues of government interference in international voting—calls for tech reforms to ensure fair results.

Notable Quotes:

• Natalia Gorshak, Slovenian broadcaster president: “We need to follow our principles...sometimes we need to be on the right side of the history...” ([29:56])
• Mark Savage, BBC Music Correspondent:
  • “There are some people who say that...government intervention in the public vote shouldn’t happen.” ([30:40])
  • “No matter what happens, there are countries threatening to pull out...If Israel is disqualified, then Germany...is going to pull out.” ([31:42])

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• “India has also ensured inflation remains at a certain level thanks to its purchase of discounted Russian oil.” – Arun Mukherjee ([04:46])
• “Whenever Vladimir Putin goes abroad...the Kremlin can use this and turns to the West and says...there are plenty of countries...who want to do business with Russia.” – Steve Rosenberg ([06:24])
• “They [NYT] say these policies...go against everything that having a free press in the United States stands for.” – Mimi Swaby ([09:28])
• “Heartbreak. These people came to work today...and they could just be abducted and removed.” – Undocumented immigrant activist ([11:03])
• “2025 marks a massive historical setback in the fight against preventable child mortality.” – Mark Suzman ([21:56])
• “We need to follow our principles...sometimes we need to be on the right side of the history...” – Natalia Gorshak ([29:56])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:27] Putin’s India Visit: Stakes & Analysis
• [07:31] Pentagon’s Media Restrictions & NYT Lawsuit
• [09:47] US Immigration Raids & Somali Community Fallout
• [21:20] Gates Foundation Report on Child Mortality
• [24:29] Myanmar Scam Centers amid Civil War
• [26:51] Australia’s Social Media Ban for Children
• [28:54] Eurovision Debate: Israel’s Participation

This episode provides in-depth, balanced reporting on urgent global issues, with direct expert commentary and striking field reports, maintaining the BBC’s authoritative and impartial tone throughout.