From a seventh-generation Indian Army officer to a world-renowned Defence and Strategic Affairs expert, Lt. Col. Jasinder Singh Sodhi (Retd.) has a prolific tenure behind him. He is a Veteran from the Bombay Sappers, Corps of Engineers of the Indian Army with over 21 years of distinguished service. Following his voluntary retirement in 2013, he transitioned to the media world with articles published in 53 reputed Indian and International publications, and numerous media appearances on 67 leading Indian and International media channels. Lt. Col. Sodhi has been awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Award”, “Icon of the Year Award” and has been honored by Geojuristoday for his contribution to defence journalism. He is also on the advisory board of Chanakya Policy and Research Centre.

Lt. Col. J.S. Sodhi is also the editor of Global Strategic and Defense News, a publication focused on Indian and global defence and strategic affairs. The publication currently ranks 9th in India and 44th in the world in the field of geopolitics and defence.

In this exclusive interview with ARCLANTIC, Lt. Col. Sodhi gives us an insight into his journey through his military training, his transition into the media world, and his thoughts on the current affairs of defense reporting in India. We talk about recent international events such as Canada’s allegations on India and the regime shifts in the country.

We also talked extensively about the Lt. Col.’s book, “China’s War Clouds: The Great Chinese Checkmate”, which paints a grim picture for India and the rest of the world unless China’s meteoric rise to a military and economic powerhouse can be curbed. This continues in another two-parts on ARCLANTIC. Here is Lt. Col. Sodhi’s personal journey and his thoughts on Indian and International defence and strategic affairs:

Lieutenant Colonel Sodhi, we are honoured to have you with us. Welcome and thank you for being here.

Jai Hind Manbilas, thank you very much for the kind words about my introduction.

My immense gratitude to you and to ARCLANTIC for having given me this opportunity to express my views.

Such an honor to have you here. Being a 7th generation veteran is extraordinary. What was the biggest lesson you learned from this military heritage that shaped your career as it is today?

Well, whatever I am today, I owe it all to the Indian Army and the military of India where I had an opportunity to interact with the Navy and the Air Force at some places. Of course I have done my training, my 3 year basic training in the National Defense Academy, Khadakwasla, which is a Tri- services training Academy where cadets for the Army, Navy, Air Force are trained together.

I learned from my military service that the Constitution of India is of paramount importance to us and unity, diversity and secularism are the pivots which are holding India strong. In my entire career and my 11 years of retirement, I have always respected all religions. I have never spoken against the Constitution. I have respected Indian laws and this I think is the biggest take away or the biggest learning that I had in my entire training and in my service career.

So having such a distinguished history of military service for yourself and in your family, it must come along with heaps of expectations and pressures. How did those expectations shape your personal goals and aspirations?

Well, there were no expectations from me and there were no pressures on me from my family side. It was my own decision way back when I was in Class 8 that I wanted to join the army because I had seen my father, my grandfather all donning the army uniform and there was no other choice for me except to wear the uniform that I had seen them all wearing.

From class 8 onwards, I started preparing for the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla exam. I put my heart and soul in it My efforts paid up and I was able to join the National Defense Academy, Khadakwasla on 2nd of January 1988.

After that in service also there was no pressure of any kind on me. I did well in all courses. When the time came to take a decision whether to continue or to take voluntary retirement, I decided in my own wisdom to take voluntary retirement and join the civil street. I started working in the corporate for 3 years. Then I ran my Security Agency which is an Army initiative for every retired veteran in order to settle them in the civil world. Thereafter my media break happened and here I am in front of you.

Seeing your father and your grandfather donning those uniforms and witnessing your family’s duties, how did that shape your perspective towards military service and a duty towards the nation?

Well, from a very young age, as far as my memory can take me, I remember my father, my grandfather were in the army uniform, having stayed in military cantonments. I saw the disciplined life, I saw how they were always in the duty of the motherland.

So these things got ingrained in me and when the time came for me to take a decision regarding my career, there was no other option that struck me. This was my primary option, my main option and I started preparing for it. In fact, I passed out from the Indian Military Academy as an officer on 14 December 1991. A day before that is 13 December 1991, my parents would come from Delhi to Dehradun to attend my passing out parade. The next day was the passing out parade and that evening on 13 December, my father asked me “Are you sure you want to join the army? There is still time, you can seek a withdrawal and join the civil world.”

My words to him that day were that there is nothing best or better that I could have asked for and I totally value the time that I spend in the Army, whether it was in the training period or whether it was in the service as an officer. Each moment spent by me in uniform has been memorable where I could contribute in my own small way to the growth of India.

Talk us through your days at the National Defense Academy and the Military Academy. What were some of the fond memories. or who are some people that stand out that you remember fondly even today?

Well, my days in the National Defence Academy are very memorable. I still remember them because those were probably one of the best days of my life whereas a raw student I joined the Army training institution. I saw how tough the training life was. My first impression goes to my first instructor also called as Divisional Officer in NDA, who was that time Captain VN Prasad. Later on, he retired as Major VN Prasad. I still remember him wearing the uniform, wearing the maroon beret. He was from the Para-Special Forces with a deep baritone voice.

So for me, the first instructor that I, you know, trained under was a very magnificent personality who taught me many things, how to value time, how to respect time. And many of the things that he taught remained ingrained with me throughout my service career.

Then of course, as I went to my second term, the instructors changed. Then in IMA, I had various instructors. I served under various officers. I would say that I learned from each one of them because they were the brightest and the best officers the Indian Army.  Each one of them taught the path of righteousness, the path where one should choose the harder right than the easier wrong.

Each one of them [instructors] taught the path of righteousness, the path where one should choose the harder right than the easier wrong.

Lt. Col. J.S. Sodhi (Retd.)

And this I have followed till date. In fact, the NDA prayer has this line to choose the harder right than the easier wrong.

About 2 years back when I was starting my publication called the Global Strategic and Defense News, I decided to keep the outlook of the publication purely defence and geopolitical oriented. When I discussed this idea with few of my friends, they said your publication will not be a success because you do not have politics in that.

But I told them that as of now, since I am a green horn in this field, I would like to start off my media career or my publication focusing on geopolitics and defence so that I do not align myself with any ideology and I would like to see how successful I would be. Well, God was immensely kind.

The NDA prayer, the teaching of my seniors to choose the harder right then the easier proved correct. And in just 2 years, my publication is ranked 9th in India and 44th in the world in the field of Geopolitics and defense.

And this is when I have no political outlook in it as of date. So yes, like I told you before, I have learned a lot from my seniors, from instructors. Each one of them has taught me and it has got me to the place that I am today.

You also talk extensively about your fellow brothers in army in several articles. The first article you wrote when you transitioned to Media World, which was published in Firstpost, was about your childhood friend Brigadier Lakhbinder Singh Lidder, who tragically passed away in the helicopter crash that took the life of Chief of Defense Staff, General Bipin Rawat. Were there any other key mentors or peers that you that significantly impacted you?

There were many seniors under whom I trained or served and each one of them has a special place in my heart. And of course, like you rightly said, my first article which got me into the media was on Brigade LS Lidder who was senior to be by one year in Kendriya Vidyalaya, Mau where we studied together and then one year senior to me in Indian Army and of course in the National Defence Academy Khadakwasla. He was from the 77th course NDA (National Defence Academy), I was from the 79th course NDA. So, I had a very strong relation with him. We are very good family friends.

When I heard of his tragic passing away, something that day I would say died in me. It was one of the most shocking days of my life. Still, I still can’t fathom him going away. He was a very bright officer, a perfect human. I mean there was nothing one could ever pinpoint anything wrong in him. He was the epitome of every good thing one could ever think of in life. But yes, I have also been fortunate like I told you to have served and trained under many people. From each one of them I learnt a lot.

It is not possible for me to recount each one’s name. But yes, I owe a lot to every senior of mine under whom I trained or under whom I served.

Let us talk about your transition to the media world. You said that you tried to keep politics out of it and keep the defense reporting as non-biased as possible. Do you see any gaps in India’s defense coverage by the media nowadays? What changes would you advocate to improve those standards? What are your thoughts on the reporting controversies that surfaced during those times?

Well, in the 3 years that I have been in the media, I have realised one thing. Most of our journalists do not read. In the army we were always taught that reading is very important, which I followed till day. On an average, I read one book every week. Until unless a journalist or a defense enthusiast or international relations enthusiast does not read, he or she cannot grasp the topics. Because in today’s digital and virtual world, most of us rely on WhatsApp. We believe whatever is shared on WhatsApp is correct. Well, this is not the case as we read more and more.

Here I would like to stress it is important to read from politically non-aligned authors. This word, I would like to stress it is because once you read books and articles of politically non-aligned authors, you get both the sides of the particular issue. Then it is your judgment, your understanding what you would feel is the correct answer to be given. Like when I entered the media, I had no exposure to the national media.

One article got me to the print media and then 2 months later, the Russia Ukraine was started the day I got a break in the electronic media. In the beginning I had no idea that Russia had invaded Ukraine that day, but I just spoke out of my common military sense and thereafter channel started calling me. Today of course I read a lot.

But each time that I have come on TV or I have given my articles for the print media or my comments for the print media, I have always not aligned myself to any ideology.

I have given the facts as they are. I left to the readers and viewers to decide whether they agree with me or not.

Coming to the point of the journalists in India, like I said, most of them do not read and because they don’t read, their reporting is reflected in that sense because if a journalist reads, he or she can understand the gravity of the issue that is being written upon or is being discussed on the electronic media.

Sadly, when I see most of the Indian TV channels, the anchors come with a preconceived prefixated mindset on how to take the discussion forward. Anyone in that panel who is opposing the anchors is not given much time to discuss that issue because they feel that this person will speak against the narrative that you want to set.

Well this I would say is very detrimental because the electronic media or the print media or the podcast shows, all of them play a very important role in strengthening India.

It is incorrect to say that anyone who does not agree with a certain viewpoint is anti-national or is not patriotic.

Any person who says against a given viewpoint is equally patriotic, equally nationalistic because that person is speaking with lot of conviction after having read and researched a lot. So we have to be firstly open to both the sides of a issue that is being discussed.

As far as certain unethical things which are done by some of the journalists, not all but some of the journalists. Well, the world or the country sooner or later has started realizing it.

So the point that I want to make is anyone who wants to enter the media, anyone who wants to be a defence or an international relations expert, please read, read, and read. There is no shortcut to that.

anyone who wants to enter the media, anyone who wants to be a defence or an international relations expert, please read, read, and read. There is no shortcut to that.

Lt. Col. J.S. Sodhi (Retd.)

The more you read, the more your ideas will get cleared. The more you will be able to see things from a different prism. This is the reason why, in the Army, you are always encouraged to read.

In fact, when I got commissioned, there was a tradition in my arrangement that if an officer went even on a day’s leave, on rejoining after leave, the officer had to present a book to the officer’s mess Library and had to give a presentation or the book review. So there was no way the officer could speak on the book without having read it.

So this was ingrained in us, which I find very helpful. And this is the reason that you know I am on numerous international, national channels. My articles are published in many Indian and foreign print publications. Like you rightly said in the beginning, I feature in the World Book of Record London and the Indian Book of Records for my media experiences. So this I owe to the immense research and reading that I do.

Let’s shift focus of the conversation to the India Canada relations. India’s relationship with Canada has been strained, especially issues with like the Khalistan movement and Canada’s outrageous allegations of an intelligence failure. What is your assessment of the state of these relations? Is there a security threat that India needs to be aware of in context of these allegations from Canada?

Well, you know, a lot of anti-India activities have been taking place on the Canadian soil or with Justin Trudeau is solely responsible because it was his duty as the Prime Minister of Canada to ensure that no anti India activity takes place on his soil.  I mean if we see India has never allowed any anti Canadian activity on its soil. So why is Canada doing it? They may have political compulsion but that does not mean that they allow their soil to be used to wage a war against another country.

India and Canada have got very good historic relations.

Lt. Col. J.S. Sodhi (Retd.)

In fact, the first Indian who went to Canada was in 1897, a Sikh gentleman aboard the Merchant Navy ship called Empress. After that for many decades Indians went to Canada in search of a better life. But then things changed in last few decades and now we are seeing it at an all-time low. So Canada has to take the initiative and stop these anti-activities on its soil.

Do you think that Canadian government has taken steps to combat the rise of extremist elements within its border? What do you think can be done and how does that affect India’s security interest?

Well, Canada can do a lot. It has got good laws. It should invoke those laws, arrest the person who are waging a war on India from their soil and now it’s going to affect India. Obviously, if there’s somebody planning anti India activities on a foreign soil, the result will be there. We all are aware of the Air India Kanishka plane crash. The plane took off from Canada and off the coast of Ireland, it crashed because there was a bomb inside. So, it affected India.

Well, India has always said that firstly as matter of policy we don’t indulge in extrajudicial killings be it abroad or be it in our own country. Secondly, India has always said that whatever proofs you have, please give it to us.

So that if any person has done this in his personal capacity, strict action is taken as per Indian laws. But till date they have not given any evidence.

Yes, they are very quick to make statements in the Canadian Parliament or to the Canadian media but everything in law hinges on the evidence being given. So now the ball is totally in Canada as court. If you feel that one of our persons was involved, you please give all the evidence.

The Indian government has made it amply clear we will take the action. But for this we need evidence it can’t be based on conjectures.

Just because I don’t like anyone does not mean that person should be hanged to death. If I don’t like a person that is OK, that is my personal choice. But if the person has done something wrong criminally, then evidence has to be presented before action is taken on him or her.

Let’s shift the focus to another international event that is occurring now, which is the Syria regime change this decade. Syria has now ousted an authoritarian government and the party that sits on the helm now has pledged diplomacy but still has to work hard to shed its history with the Al Qaeda.

As a military expert, how do you view the external environment of powers like Russia, the US and Turkey in the Syrian regime change and does this regime change has an effect on China plans?

See the first part of your question. Syria is a battleground for proxy wars between the forces loyal to Russia and the forces loyal to America because one part is getting money and weapons from Russia, the other part is getting from America. So it is a battleground for basically the two superpowers Russia and America.

As far as China is concerned, like I said earlier, it is not taking part in any Middle East crisis except for mere diplomatic statements or some meetings because its aim is fixated on Taiwan so it does not get involved militarily with any problem in the Middle East.

How does the regime change in Syria affect the Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape, especially in terms of India security interest?

Well, Middle East is important for India because our large portion of oil comes from there. Israel is one of our biggest defense suppliers. So the longer the crisis in Middle East continues, obviously Israel will find it difficult to give us the arms. Oil will get hit; prices will increase which is already happening. As far as the Middle East is concerned, the crisis in Syria has given an upper hand to US and Israel which till Assad’s downfall, the balance was tilting in favor of Russia so Assad’s downfall has tilted the balance in Middle East now to USA and Israel.

Thank you for sharing your expertise and perspectives on some of the most pressing and defense strategic issues of our time.

Your insights into the evolving geopolitical landscape, particularly regarding China’s growing influence, India’s regional challenges, and the global implications, have provided much food for thought. This conversation has underscored the complexity of the strategic decisions that India faces and highlighted the importance of preparation, diplomacy and international cooperation that is very much needed under the looming war clouds of China. Lieutenant Colonel’s experience and analysis remind us of the critical need for informed, proactive approaches to both national security and foreign policy.

We appreciate the time you have taken to engage is in this discussion and we look forward to future conversations.

Thank you Manbilas, and thank you ARCLANTIC for having given me this opportunity to give my views. My salute and respect to both you and ARCLANTIC for not having put any condition on me to speak and allowed me to speak from my heart the way I feel, and this is how I feel should be any interview where everyone should be allowed to express his or own views because everyone is entitled to his or own views depending on the education, reading and research that one does.

So thanks once again to ARCLANTIC and to you, Manbilas.

Readers are highly implored to read Lieutenant Colonel Sodhi’s book, “China’s War Clouds: The Great Chinese Checkmate”. China currently is a threat that cannot be ignored and the clouds are growing ever darker.

Read the in-depth conversation on Lt. Col.’s book with ARCLANTIC highlighting the threat that People’s Republic of China and its communist regime, the Communist Chinese Party, pose in the Indo-Pacific region in the next decade. And how it culminates into an ill-fated two-front war on India along with Pakistan.