Rajeev is one of the co-founders of the Haagsch Institute GeopolitiekNu and a regular co-host of the GeopolitiekNu podcast. Within the institute, Rajeev focuses as an analyst on the broad geopolitics and geo-economics of India. He draws on his extensive knowledge of Indian geography, civilization, history (especially since independence in 1947), and internal power politics, all of which influence India’s geopolitical strength. At the same time, he uses his many years of experience in economic governance to analyze how India deploys its economic resources and instruments to achieve its geopolitical goals.

Through his podcasts, articles about India, lectures, masterclasses (particularly for civil servants), network visits, and regular media appearances, Rajeev contributes to a constructive understanding of Indian geopolitical thought and action within the Dutch-speaking geopolitical debate. His advice and analyses are shaped by thinking in both Indian and Dutch/European interests, with an eye for hard geopolitical realities. In addition, he teaches economic governance at Leiden University and is currently working on establishing the international branch of the Haagsch Institute GeopolitiekNu, together with international guests.

India and Europe: Two Mother Civilizations That Keep Seeking Each Other

“I consider India and Europe as my two civilizational parents who shape my identity. And just like any child in our world, I want these parents to stay together and grow together. India and Europe have created mother civilizations that, even thousands of years later, still have a tremendous cultural and philosophical impact, both in the Western and Eastern worlds.

Despite the dark years of the European and Indian Middle Ages and European imperialism, these two mother civilizations have been seeking each other since the (proto-)classical periods — from the journeys of Alexander the Great and later the Romans, to the (re)discovery voyages of Columbus and Vasco da Gama, and the founding of numerous East India Companies — all aimed at reaching India from Europe.

Now, with the rise of a multipolar world order, this flame rekindles. India and Europe have much — truly much — more in common than that which separates them. Together, they can protect and strengthen the ideals of sovereignty and multilateralism for the rest of the world. With my work, I aim to help remove mutual misconceptions, so that we can combine our strengths for a globally sustainable and effective multilateralism — and thereby, peace.”

Hard Geopolitics as a Tool for Utopian Peace

“In my geopolitical expressions, I often come across as a follower of hard realpolitik. In other words: shared long-term principles matter little — in fact, not at all — when it comes to short- and medium-term (regime) interests. Instead of blindly following principles that no one else adheres to — especially not the powerful nations — it is better to play the game yourself in the interest of your own state and people. You must make full and sharp use of your own geopolitical instruments.

Although reality shows that the world has functioned this way since the dawn of the first civilizations, I believe just as strongly that only sustainable long-term interests can ensure a truly healthy, safe, and respectful future — including toward our Mother Earth. A future that brings out the best in every unique human being. Let us use the lessons of hard geopolitics to unite and strengthen the powers of nations and peoples for this future, against the unilaterally oriented world powers.”