In this episode of The Daily Brief by DefenceHQ, Major Gaurav Arya is joined by Lt. Gen. Vinod Bhatia (Retd.), to analyse the shocking bombing of an Iranian vessel near Sri Lanka in international waters and the debate around whether India bears any responsibility. The discussion also explores the escalating US–Iran conflict, the geopolitics of Russian oil purchases, and why India’s strategic autonomy remains central to its foreign policy. Lt Gen Vinod Bhatia (Retd.) explains how India must prioritise its national, economic and security interests while navigating global pressures from major powers. The episode further examines the widening Middle East conflict, its impact on global energy routes like the Strait of Hormuz, and what India’s military posture should be in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.