Rajiv Sikri, former secretary in India’s Ministry of External Affairs is the latest guest on India, Russia and the World, the weekly podcast hosted by Runjhun Sharma, Head of News-RT India. He explains why the war in Iran has become an existential issue for the US, Israel and Iran. He says that the presence of former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev at the funeral of Khamenei was symbolic of Russia’s long-standing relationship with Iran.

On India’s neighborhood, particularly Nepal and Bangladesh, he reiterates India’s position that it is ready to economically support its neighbors as long as its security concerns aren’t compromised.