Diplomat, Strategic Affairs Analyst, Photographer, Father
Delhi
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Congratulations @mihira_sood Since it is bound to generate controversy, get ready for the bouquets and brickbats
Excited to share that my book Courting Equality is now on Amazon & in bookstores later this month. It looks at significant moments both inside & outside the courts that shaped women’s rights over the past 50 years - Mathura, ShahBano, #MeToo, #UCC #Sabarimala & many more. Link in reply & bio
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In a conversation with @MohanCRaja on his new book ‘India and the Rebalancing of Asia’, we explore a range of themes:
-has U.S. under Trump become a ‘disruptive’ power
-is a multipolar Asia a precondition to a multipolar world and if so, how likely is a multipolar Asia….1/3
India’s strategic role in Asia is becoming increasingly significant as global power dynamics shift amid rising tensions between the United States and China. In conversation with @MohanCRaja and @rakeshnms.
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-India & U.S. misjudged China and both acknowledge it; is Russia also misjudging China
-failure of UN’s multilateralism has led to minilaterals-Quad, BRICS, SCO, I2U2, IBSA, RIC…but to what purpose
-why is India wedded to ‘nonalignment’, we talk of Nonalignment2.0, &..
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SHANTI Act sharpens the division between the strategic & defence related fuel cycle and the civilian nuclear fuel cycle that is largely under safeguards. It is this part that needs…1/2
I write for @the_hindu
Transforming India's Nuclear Power Landscape rakeshsood.in/2026/04/06/tra…
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2/2…pvt capital, both domestic and intl, in order to achieve economies of scale needed to reach 100 GW target. Transparency in decision making, clarity in regulatory processes, and involvement of stakeholders in consultations will require a change of thinking in @NpcilOfficial
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Took 10 years of talks with USA after 1998 nucl tests to get the spl waiver from Nucl Supliiers Group but civ nucl power languished b'coz Libaility Law was a problem. Will SHANTI Act change matters
@the_hindu
Transforming India's Nuclear Power Landscape rakeshsood.in/2026/04/06/tra…
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After announcing an ambitious target of achieving 100GW of nuclear power generation by 2047, a 12-fold increase from current levels of 8.1 GW, govt brought in SHANTI Act replacing..1/2
I write for @the_hindu
Transforming India's Nuclear Power Landscape rakeshsood.in/2026/04/06/tra…
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With a 5 day pause as precursor to a #ceasefire it is time to recall the ‘law of unintended consequences’ in foreign affairs: instead of achieving ‘regime change’ in #Iran, #US & #Israel have managed to achieve ‘regime resilience’ in #Iran. Everyone declares victory!
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#Nepal has seen dramatic political changes in 21st century -Palace massacre in 2001; abolition of Monarchy in 2008; a new Constitution in 2015; but 2026 election has been a tsunami
I write for @TheHindu
Making Sense of the Political Tsunami in Nepal rakeshsood.in/2026/03/14/mak…
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Trump’s announcement that US was going to resume ‘nuclear testing’ has shaken up the global nuclear order though no one knows if he meant ‘explosive’ testing or systems testing. But it does….1/2
Donald Trump Shakes Up the Global Nuclear Order rakeshsood.in/2025/11/15/don…
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2/2…highlight how fragile global nuclear order looks today. More usable nukes, more nuclear threats, no arms control, & more countries eyeing nuclear weapons. Can the #nucleartaboo hold in the 21st century and what will it take.
I write for @TheHindu
thehindu.com/opinion/lead/do…
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A resumption of nuclear testing by U.S. damages the @CTBTO that hasn’t entered into force even after 29 years and now never will, takes the lid off incipient arms race that is already underway, & marks the slow unravelling of global non-proliferation regime
I speak with @BDUTT
Trump restarts US nuclear tests after 30 years, citing China & Russia’s buildup. A move that could reignite a global arms race — and test India’s nuclear restraint & “No First Use” policy. Watch In full here: piped.video/watch?v=YZ4r-ZuL… @BDUTT in conversation with @rakeshnms
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US tariffs on India are not b’coz of trade imbalance or Russia oil purchase, it is b’coz Modi-Trump bromance has soured. But India-US relns are larger & driven by national interest and will survive the ups and downs of the bromance.
Exclusive: #India’s former Ambassador Rakesh Sood speaks on #Modi, #Trump, China, and Russia. Plus, Lebanese MP Marwan Hamadeh on rebuilding a nation in crisis. Watch the full episode of Global News Today. #GNT @rakeshnms
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India-China relns were frozen after 2020. Thaw began with Kazan meeting btw Modi-Xi in Oct ‘24. But given the boundary question where only disengagement has happened, no deescation and de induction & growing China-Pak security ties, warming up of ties is unlikely.
My take
How much of #Xi’s rhetoric resonates with #Modi? Rakesh Sood, Former Indian Ambassador, offers his perspective. #GNT @rakeshnms
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6 months ago, #Modi was celebrating successful meeting with #Trump in #WhiteHouse but today, there is disenchantment. Imp to recall that India-US relns opened a new chapter after the Cold War ended, in 1990s….1/2
India US Ties: Up Close, and Personal rakeshsood.in/2025/08/14/ind…
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2/2..& have been driven by natl interests, with patient diplomacy; not believing one’s own propaganda but building supporting constituencies in business & industry, media, Congress & civil soc. Emotions is not soln, following natl interest is.
I write for @htTweets
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Good ties between ldrs can help but cannot replace natl interests. To give these primacy only brings in egos & pomp. Modi and Trump egos have now come in the way of realising the natural promise of India-US relns.
I write for @htTweets
#Opinion | National interests and patient negotiations have to guide bilateral relations and treaties.
Read more about it: hindustantimes.com/opinion/i…
@rakeshnms ✍️ | #HTPremium
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