This week on the podcast, I had the privilege of sitting down with Professor Kanti Bajpai—a man whose career has spanned continents, classrooms, and conversations about some of the most pressing issues of our time.
For those unfamiliar with his work, Kanti is one of Asia’s most respected voices in international politics and security. His areas of expertise include Asian international thought, strategic cultures, and Indian foreign policy. His career has taken him from teaching at Jawaharlal Nehru University and Oxford University, to being Headmaster of The Doon School in India, to visiting appointments at institutions such as Wesleyan University, the Brookings Institution, and the Australian Defence Force Academy. Today, he serves as Emeritus Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy (LKYSPP) in Singapore.
Professor Kanti’s most recent book, India Versus China: Why They Are Not Friends (2021), examines one of the defining relationships of our century. He is currently at work on a book about India’s grand strategy—a topic that couldn’t be more timely given the shifting geopolitical landscape.
But in our conversation, what struck me most wasn’t just his formidable expertise. It was the humanity behind the learning.
We spoke about his journey—how he moved between academic institutions, countries, and even careers, always balancing the intellectual with the practical. We touched on what “success” has meant to him over the years, not in titles or positions, but in the impact of his teaching, the questions he continues to ask, and the curiosity he cultivates.
Perhaps most inspiring were his reflections on the next generation—on the students graduating today and stepping into a world filled with uncertainty. Prof Kanti reminded us that while the challenges are immense, so too are the opportunities. For him, resilience, adaptability, and an openness to learn remain timeless qualities for anyone beginning their journey.
As our conversation wound down, I was left with a deep sense of gratitude—not just for the chance to speak with someone who has shaped thinking on international affairs, but for the reminder that behind every book, lecture, and policy debate is a human story of growth, reflection, and purpose.
I’ll be carrying Professor’s Kanti’s words with me for a long time, and I hope you will too.
This was a great conversation with a leader a friend and someone I personally look up to.
Signing of for 84 Musing,
RV
