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Podcast: Pre-Budget Discussion with Narayan Ramachandhran

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On Indian Philosophy By Ethan Mills

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Women In Constituent Assembly

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The Rise Of Global Authoritarianism

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Defamation Nation

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Air Power and National Security

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Impact Of The US Elections On India

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The Woes of Indian Cash

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Judgements that changed India #3 The Bedrooms of the Nation

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Part 1: What does it mean to be a Liberal in India?

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Economic Survey Explained - Part 4 - Cash after Demonetisation

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Many Belts And Many Roads

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The Minimum Income Guarantee Scheme for the Poor vs Universal Basic Income

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The Geopolitics of Technology: 5G edition

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Avoiding a Nuclear Catastrophe

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Afghanistan After Withdrawal of US Forces

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Defence Budgeting And The Strategy Bridge

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New ECommerce Regulations and FDI in Retail

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Chinese Apps in India and Regulating Fake News

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Do We Need A Ministry of Culture?

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How Does an Angel Tax Affect the Indian Economy?

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Security vs Privacy in a Digital Economy: Social Credit Edition

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India's Responses to Sub-conventional Warfare by Pakistan

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The Pakistani Military-Jihadi Complex

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Should Publicly Funded Research Be Free?

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What Is the Jaish-e-Mohammad?

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Should The Indian Government Regulate Social Media?

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The Mullah Omar Mystery

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32 min 31 sec

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22 min 6 sec

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21 min 13 sec

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Ep. 171: The Promise and Tragedy of China: 70 Years of the People’s Republic

36 min 25 sec

The Peoples Republic of China is celebrating its 70th anniversary on October 1st, 2019. Manoj Kewalramani and Suyash Desai talk to Pranay Kotasthane about Chinas tumultuous journey and its uncertain future. On this episode: You can...

Ep. 172: India's Economic Dilemmas: How to Fix the Slowdown

31 min 27 sec

Indias economy is in doldrums, but the way out is unclear. Nitin Pai and Anupam Manur join Pranay Kotasthane to discuss the options, from sweeping reforms to sensible taxation. On this episode: You can listen to this show and other awesome shows...

Ep. 173: Getting Back on Track: Improving India’s Railway Network

25 min 50 sec

The Railway Board Chairman has recently announced plans to allow 150 private trains into the railway network. What really needs to be done to improve the quality and availability of rail transport Nitin Pai joins Anupam Manur and Pranay Kotasthane to...

Ep. 174: Fighting Together: Joint Operations in the Armed Forces

25 min

Is military jointness good Or should each service should be allowed to formulate its own strategy Are there any lessons for India from the military reforms in China Manoj Kewalramani discusses with Suyash Desai and Sankalp Gurjar. On this episode: ...

Ep. 175: The Geopolitics of Online Worlds: What MMOs teach us about Economics and Politics

35 min 41 sec

The astonishing multiplayer world of Eve Online allows players to build, trade, become politicians, and wage war on each other. In this episode, Anirudh Kanisetti joins Manoj Kewalramani and Aditya Ramanathan to discuss what such games reveal about...

Ep. 176: China’s Web of Influence and Power

28 min 39 sec

Much has been written about Chinese influence operations undermining democracies and impacting academic freedoms. In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani talks to Suyash Desai and Sankalp Gurjar about the instruments China uses to exercise sharp power. On...

Ep. 177: The Fake News Conundrum: Singapore’s Gambit

24 min 5 sec

Singapores antifake news law took effect on October 02. Shibani Mehta, Rohan Seth, and Utkarsh Narain talk about what such laws might mean for free speech, dissent, and civil liberties, as well as the dilemmas they pose for bigtech and media...

Ep. 178: Eastern Promises: Why Does the India-Bangladesh Relationship Matter?

25 min 43 sec

Delhi and Dhaka signed several agreements during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas recent visit, despite concerns about issues like the NRC. Shambhavi Naik talks to Pranav RS, Sankalp Gurjar and Suyash Desai about the future of the IndiaBangladesh...

Ep. 179: A Meeting in Mamallapuram: Xi Visits India

33 min 11 sec

Is the informal summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping an empty gesture or a valuable diplomatic initiative Our China watchers, Manoj Kewalramani and Suyash Desai join host Aditya Ramanathan to debate the value of such a...

Ep. 180: A Peculiar Alliance: The China-Pakistan Alliance

33 min 18 sec

Sweeter than honey and higher than the mountainsthats how China and Pakistan describe their relationship. But what really drives it Is it just about containing India or are there other factors involved Manoj Kewalramani talks to Suyash Desai and...

Ep. 181: Reading the Economist: Smart Cars, Inflation, and Russia

36 min 7 sec

Will China have autonomous cars before the West Is inflation no longer a worry for emerging markets And why are the EU and Russia patching up now Manoj Kewalramani, Sankalp Gurjar and Utkarsh Narain discuss all this and more in this weeks...

Ep. 182: The Military Pensions Dilemma: Investing in Human Capital

23 min 56 sec

Nearly 25 of Indias defence expenditure for this year will be used to service the pension bill. Is this sustainable And how does it impact modernisation Manoj Kewalramani talks to General Prakash Menon and Pranay Kotasthane about their new study...

Ep. 183: Military Revolutions and the Future of War

29 min 42 sec

How do countries think about revolutionary changes in the character of war In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani, Pranav RS, and Aditya Ramanathan debate the dynamics driving strategic and military innovations from the gunpowder era to our times. You...

Ep. 184: The Missiles of October: The Lessons of the Cuban Missile Crisis

26 min 51 sec

This week, 57 years ago a crisis broke out in the Caribbean that brought the world closest its ever been to allout nuclear war. In this episode, Shibani Mehta, Pranav RS and Aditya Ramanathan debate the lessons of the confrontation for the future....

Ep. 185: War on the Roof of the World

35 min 43 sec

The 1962 war with China scarred India and had a lasting impact on its politics. But why did the war break out How did the world react And are there any lessons for today Manoj Kewalramani, Suyash Desai and Sankalp Gurjar discuss. You can listen to...

Ep. 186: Reading the Economist: From Hungarian Politics to Japanese Royals

35 min 24 sec

Viktor Orbns setback in Budapest Japans Naruhito faces royal restrictions psychedelics could treat depression and Chinas uncomfortable tryst with football acquisitions. Manoj Kewalramani joins Sankalp Gurjar and Utkarsh Narain to discuss...

Ep. 187: The Moral Dilemmas of IVF

31 min 6 sec

In the recent past, In Vitro Fertilization IVF or assisted reproductive technologies has enabled women of older age to bear children. What are the ethical dilemmas of such births Should the government regulate them Shambhavi Naik thrown open this...

Ep. 188: Xi, Modi and the Prospects for India-China Relations

24 min 39 sec

The informal summit in Mamallapuram between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Xi Jinping may have generated photo ops, but does it provide a way forward for ties between Asias two giants Nitin Pai sparks debate between Lt General Prakash...

Ep. 189: India’s Afghan Conundrum

24 min 39 sec

With an election in limbo and uncertain peace talks, Afghanistans long war could pack some surprises for India. In this special episode, Nitin Pai joins Ambassador Nirupama Rao and Lt General Prakash Menon to discuss how India can best craft an...

Ep. 190: Cameras and Control

20 min 22 sec

As CCTVs become more ubiquitous in Indian cities and facial recognition algorithms become more advanced, we may be moving towards a world where technology is used to violate individuals privacy and their fundamental rights. Apar Gupta, Executive...

Ep. 191: Digital Africa

25 min 38 sec

In the last two decades, Africa has seen extraordinary leaps in access to mobile phones, sparking an IT revolution across the continent. AndreMichel Essoungou, Cameroonian journalist and Political Officer at the United Nations, joins Anirudh...

Ep. 192: India's Military Options Against China

26 min 52 sec

A new paper has made some interesting recommendations for how Indias armed forces can manage the challenge from China. But are they feasible General Prakash Menon and Manoj Kewalramani join Aditya Ramanathan to discuss. The paper from Center for a...

Ep. 193: Predictably Indian

20 min 11 sec

Standard economic wisdom tells you people are selfinterested, rational actors. But behavioural science says otherwise. How can we better understand the irrationalities that guide our daily existence, and how can we use that to achieve better policy...

Ep. 194: China and the Bomb

32 min 52 sec

Chinas nuclear arsenal has evolved and expanded since its first nuclear test in 1964. In this episode, Sankalp Gurjar talks to Pranav RS and Suyash Desai about how Chinese thinking on nuclear weapons has changed over the years. You can listen to...

Ep. 195: Keepin’ it Real: Realism in Indian Foreign Policy

29 min 22 sec

What is realism in international relations Where are the Indian realists And what do they think of the IndiaChina relationship Prof. Rajesh Rajagopalan of Jawaharlal Nehru University discusses with Sankalp Gurjar and Pranay Kotasthane. You can...

Ep. 196: Assuring Retaliation: Why India's Nuclear No-First-Use Doctrine Makes Sense

23 min 9 sec

On this episode, Dr Manpreet Sethi, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Air Power Studies, tells Aditya Ramanathan and Pranav RS why nuclear nofirstuse is the best strategy for India. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the IVM...

Ep. 197: The Counterinsurgency Puzzle and the Utilities of Force

31 min 24 sec

How should great powers support local governments fighting insurgencies And is the Indian Armys Cold Start doctrine still relevant In this episode, Walter C Ladwig III, an associate professor at Kings College London, joins Manoj Kewalramani...

Ep. 198: The Politics of Afghanistan: The Elections

31 min 52 sec

How is the postelection politics shaping up in Afghanistan What is the prospect of peace after the Presidential elections in September Pranay Kotasthane talks to Anand Arni and Sankalp Gurjar. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on...

Ep. 199: The Looming Shadow of Nuclear Weapons

20 min 48 sec

Why are nuclear arms control agreement between the US and Russia falling apart or under pressure What new dangers do they pose And what can be done about them In this episode, arms control expert Petr Topychkanov talks to Aditya Ramanathan and...

Ep. 200: Can We Stop A Climate Disaster?

25 min 56 sec

How will climate change transform societies and economies What solutions do we have ready right now Australian climate change scholar Prof Tim Flannery joins Manoj Kewalramani and Sankalp Gurjar in todays episode to explain. You can listen to...

Ep. 201: The Real Nehru

27 min 1 sec

Was Jawaharlal Nehru a starryeyed foreign policy optimist Did he have a more realist strategy than we like to think And how did his actions shape the future trajectory of Indian diplomacy On the late PMs 130th birth anniversary, Sankalp Gurjar...

Ep. 202: Forever Young

23 min 11 sec

New technologies are pushing the boundaries of how long humans beings can lead healthy lives. In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani, Shambhavi Naik, and Ganesh Chakravarthy debate the scientific and philosophical questions that stem from the human quest...

Ep. 203: India’s Genome Project

27 min 29 sec

The IndiGen project will map genes across Indias ethnic groups to discover clinically actionable genetic information. Shambhavi Naik, Pranay Kotasthane and Anirudh Kanisetti discuss the importance of this project, the opportunities it presents and...

Ep. 204: Reading the Economist: From Warships to Netflix

34 min 56 sec

An unwieldy coalition is set to rule Spain but will it last What good are aircraft carriers in todays world How are online platforms like Netflix changing media competition Sankalp Gurjar, Utkarsh Narain and Manoj Kewalramani talk about all this...

Ep. 205: Toot or Dare

20 min 32 sec

Why have Indian Twitter users started moving to Mastodon What is the socalled Fediverse, and will it replace Twitter Utkarsh Narain, Anirudh Kanisetti and Prateek Waghre break it down. Utkarsh Narain Anirudh Kanisetti Prateek Waghre...

Ep. 206: China’s Awful Secret

31 min 53 sec

A New York Times report based on leaked internal Chinese documents sheds fresh light on the unprecedented crackdown on ethnic minorities in Xinjiang. Suyash Desai, Sankalp Gurjar and Manoj Kewalramani discuss the report and the global reaction to...

Ep. 207: New Thinking on Old Nukes

39 min 59 sec

Since the first mushroom cloud erupted over Hiroshima, theres been a strong belief that nukes have fundamentally changed international politics. But is this true In this special episode, political scientists Keir Lieber and Daryl Press talk to...

Ep. 208: Auditing India’s Foreign Policy

38 min 53 sec

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankars Ramnath Goenka Lecture last week was hailed by some as a landmark speech. But did it really lay out a new vision for Indian foreign policy Sankalp Gurjar and Suyash Desai join Manoj Kewalramani to discuss....

Ep. 209: Reading The Economist: From East Asian Politics to Technology Prejudices

39 min 57 sec

The USSouth Korea alliance is on shaky ground. China is looking to expand its nuclear arsenal. The parallels between Sri Lankan and Indian politics. And are tech companies ignoring women when designing products Utkarsh Narain and Pranav RS join...

Ep. 210: China’s Undersea Adventures

26 min 51 sec

How does China plan to use its expanding submarine fleet And what does it mean for India Aditya Ramanathan, Pranav RS and Suyash Desai dive into the murky world of military competition that lurks beneath the waves. Aditya Ramanathan Suyash...

Ep. 211: Algorithms at War

31 min 51 sec

What do dolphins, artificial intelligence, and brainmachine interfaces have to tell us about the future of war Manoj Kewalramani, Anirudh Kanisetti, and Aditya Ramanathan debate and criticise the ideas presented in the latest issue of MIT Technology...

Ep. 212: Russia’s Military Renaissance

22 min 24 sec

The postSoviet military of Russia has evolved into a fighting force for the 21st century. How has Russia achieved this and how do the Russians spend their money on weapons To discuss a new report talking about these issues, Aditya Ramanathan sits...

Ep. 213: The Primacy of Bengaluru?

28 min 55 sec

Do hitech industries create regionally unbalanced development If so, is it a problem governments can address In this episode, Pranay Kotasthane and Anupam Manur debate the challenges, pitfalls and paradoxes of industrial policies. You can listen to...

Ep. 214: Extinguishing the Crop Burning Problem

33 min 9 sec

Annual stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is a major cause of pollution in North India and a serious public health crisis. While the problem is well known, the solutions are not. In this episode, Anupam Manur and Pranay Kotasthane use an economic...

Ep. 215: Talking Nukes with Vipin Narang

23 min 47 sec

Are new developments eroding the credibility of Indias no first use policy Is North Korea going to spark a crisis in the new year In this episode, Aditya Ramanathan and Pranav R.S. talk to Vipin Narang, Associate Professor at MIT about Indias...

Ep. 216: The Tragedy of the Trans Bill

26 min 39 sec

The Transgender Persons Bill that has been passed by Parliament has been widely decried by activists, but met with societal and political indifference. Dr Shambhavi Naik and Anirudh Kanisetti join Manoj Kewalramani to discuss some of the issues that...

Ep. 217: Why is China Powerful?

41 min 36 sec

Takshashila researchers Manoj Kewalramani, Anirudh Kanisetti and Shibani Mehta unpack our latest research: a report to Indias Parliament about Chinas rise. This is part 1 of 2, exploring the sources of Chinas power and global influence and how they...

Ep. 218: What can India do about China?

44 min 48 sec

Anirudh Kanisetti and Suyash Desai join Manoj Kewalramani to further unpack our report to Indias Parliament on Chinas rise. This is part 2 of 2, exploring how China has impacted Indias economy and geopolitics and what India needs to do about it....

Ep. 219: Reading the Economist: The Rise and Fall of Economies

26 min 14 sec

In this weeks Reading the Economist, Apurva Kumar and Suyash Desai join Anirudh Kanisetti to discuss global inequality and how bad policies are holding us back from tackling climate change. You can listen to this show and other awesome shows on the...

Ep. 220: Is NATO Going to Collapse?: The 70th Anniversary Episode

24 min 43 sec

After last weeks annual summit, cracks seem to be appearing in NATO over Russia, Turkey, and even the USA. Is this antiSoviet alliance finally on its last legs, 70 years after it was formed Anirudh Kanisetti and Sankalp Gurjar discuss with Manoj...

Ep. 221: Is Cyberwarfare Coming?

28 min 25 sec

The term cyber warfare has come into vogue in recent times, but nobody seems to know what it actually is. In this episode, Anirudh Kanisetti sits down with Prateek Waghre, Pranav RS and Shibani Mehta to talk about cyberwarfare and what countries...

Ep. 223: China: the Middle-Aged Kingdom

36 min

Chinas fertility rate is down to just 1.6. The workforce is shrinking while the population of the elderly grows. At the same time, the now abandoned onechild policy has resulted in a skewed sex ratio. Given all this, could demography be a rising...

Ep. 224: Reading the Economist: Institutional Crises and Captures

28 min 41 sec

What role do institutions of the state play in shaping government policy, and how do these institutions affect policy when in peril In this edition of Reading the Economist, Anirudh Kanisetti, Pranav RS and Sarthak Pradhan discuss this with examples...

Ep. 225: Does the Government Want Your Data?

26 min 48 sec

What does the Personal Data Protection Bill say about linking Aadhar to social media What exactly will the proposed Data Protection Authority even do Prateek Waghre and Utkarsh Narain discuss with Rohan Seth. You can listen to this show and other...

Ep. 226: Beware, Warehouses!: Amazon's Fulfillment Centres and Local Economies

29 min 17 sec

What happens when Amazon enters or leaves an Indian city In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani talks to Anupam Manur and Rohan Seth about how Amazons new fulfillment centres impact everything from local employment to public health. You can listen to...

Ep. 227: Cyber Insecurity: What should India do in cyberspace?

22 min 21 sec

The Union government is asking for inputs on a cybersecurity strategy for a new India. Takshashilas Tech Team, Prateek Waghre, Utkarsh Narain, and Rohan Seth talk about the shortcomings of the 2013 national cybersecurity policy and debate on what...

Ep. 228: 2019 in Review: Tech in India

49 min 24 sec

What did 2019 mean for the Indian tech space Rohan Seth talks to Utkarsh Narain and Prateek Waghre about how the debate has progressed in policy circles around data protection, facial recognition, social media, misinformation and other things tech....

Ep. 229: 2019 in Review: India and the World

41 min 34 sec

How did Indias foreign policy hold up in 2019 From the ASAT test to Howdy Modi, Manoj Kewalramani, Pranay Kotasthane, Sankalp Gurjar and Suyash Desai discuss and debate the hits and misses in Indian foreign policy this year. You can listen to this...

Ep. 230: 2019 in Review: The Indian Economy

38 min 23 sec

How has the Indian economy fared in 2019 From agricultural output to the GDP calculations, Apurva Kumar, Pranay Kotasthane, and Anupam Manur try to figure out the years hits and misses.

Ep. 231: The Many Colours of Krishna Menon - A Conversation with Jairam Ramesh

48 min 19 sec

V. K. Krishna Menon is probably Indias most famous defence minister especially for his role in the 1962 SinoIndian War. But it turns out theres a lot more to him than just that. From his role in the Freedom Struggle to his remarkable career as...

Ep. 232: The World of Public Policy

22 min 9 sec

How does someone who wants to influence policy actually do so outside of government How does a policy career help transform the country, and for that matter, how do you get into the policy space anyway Anirudh Kanisetti talks to Apurva Kumar,...

Ep. 233: SSF - China’s War-Winning Tool

30 min 46 sec

Four years after its inception, Chinas Strategic Support Force SSF, which is responsible for cyber, space and electronic warfare, has become central to the PLAs military capabilities. How has the SSF developed and how does it compare against its...

Ep. 234: Reading the Economist: On China, Tech and Forest Fires

31 min 45 sec

Anirudh Kanisetti and Utkarsh Narain join Aditya Ramanathan to discuss the most interesting stories of the week: China and the US are undergoing a divorce in hitech industries, Brazils Bolsanaro might have some upsides, and Australia is...

Ep. 235: The Death of Soleimani - The US, Iran, and West Asia

46 min 15 sec

The killing of Qassem Soleimani, the head of Irans elite Quds expeditionary force, is a pivotal moment in the history of modern West Asia. Aditya Ramanathan and Manoj Kewalramani join Anirudh Kanisetti to understand the mans career, his influence on Ira

Ep. 236: The Year that Changed the World

29 min 13 sec

A strange revolution, a catastrophic invasion, a dramatic terrorist attack, and an economic transformation. Few years in modern history have been as consequential as 1979. Four decades on, Mano Kewalramani joins Aditya Ramanathan and Sankalp Gurjar to dis

Ep. 237: Favourite Books from 2019

31 min 27 sec

What books did people at Takshashila read in 2019 What is the significance of these books In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani, Nitin Pai and Rohan Seth list their favourite books from last year, and talk about how each book has influenced their thinking.

Ep. 238: Behaving Badly in the South China Sea

30 min 27 sec

A high profile confrontation at sea between China and Indonesia comes even as countries in the region try to come up with a common code of conduct. Manoj Kewalramani and Suyash Desai join Aditya Ramanathan to discuss what 2020 holds for the South China S

Ep. 239: Reading Foreign Policy Magazine: From Flight Shaming to Volunteer Journalism

34 min 19 sec

Do countries really need a grand strategy Can volunteers transform journalism And whats up with the curious phenomenon of flight shaming In this episode, Sarthak Pradhan, Nischitha Suresh and Pranav R. Satyanath join Aditya Ramanathan for a lively

Ep. 240: Shooting the Messenger

20 min 52 sec

Should the government be allowed to know whom youre texting Should it be able to pressure social media companies to silence voices With the IT Act due to be amended this month with rules on intermediary liability, Rohan and Utkarsh sit down with Torsha

Ep. 241: The Meaning of Taiwan’s Elections

39 min 24 sec

Taiwans President Tsai Ingwen won a second fouryear term in an historic election on January 11. Suyash Desai and Manoj Kewalramani join Anirudh Kanisetti to discuss the impact of Tsais reelection on the ChinaTaiwan relationship and its implications

Ep. 242: The State of India's Media

28 min 26 sec

What is the role of news media in India today and how do we assess its health In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani and Suyash Desai sit down with veteran journalist and Rajya Sabha member Kumar Ketkar to discuss media governance, censorship, and alternate

Ep. 243: Going Soft on Hard Balancing

36 min 29 sec

With the rise of China and the slow decline of the international system, how should countries think about the balance of power In this special episode, Aditya Ramanathan and Manoj Kewalramani talk to Professor TV Paul from McGill University about soft

Ep. 244: Ten Risks to Global Health

33 min 6 sec

Though people on average live longer today, there remain serious threats to global health. But do we know what these are In this episode Anirudh Kanisetti talks to Shambhavi Naik to get her insights into a World Health Organization report on ten major ri

Ep. 245: Protection from Data Protection

26 min 27 sec

What power does the government have over your data How should India approach global data sharing agreements With the Joint Parliamentary Committee due to give its recommendations on the Data Protection Bill before the Budget Session, Prateek and Rohan s

Ep. 246: The Stubborn Challenge of PSU Reform

28 min 3 sec

What kind of products should a staterun PSU produce Do PSUs make a profit In this episode, Anupam Manur, Pranay Kotasthane and Sarthak Pradhan talk about the persistent role of state PSUs in Indias economy and what can be done about them.

Ep. 247: Dispatches From China

49 min 38 sec

Indian media coverage of China often tends to be dominated by issues like national security and border frictions. Theres little original reportage around social issues, attitudes towards technology and womens rights. In this episode

Ep. 248: The Virus From Wuhan

24 min 11 sec

The Wuhan virus is already spreading across the world and taking a deadly toll. But what is the virus anyway and how does it spread In this episode, Rohan Seth talks to Manoj Kewalramani and Shambhavi Naik to put these developments in context and

Ep. 249: The Rise and Fall of West Asia

32 min 28 sec

West Asia is notorious today for its geopolitical instability but has that always been the case What do the premodern states of the region tell us about todays shifting dynamics Aditya Ramanathan, Anirudh Kanisetti and Manoj Kewalramani trace out its

Ep. 250: The Dark Side Of The Kashmir Whitelist

21 min 22 sec

Tech researchers Rohini Lakshan and Prateek Waghre join Anirudh Kanisetti to discuss the whitelist of 301 sites that have been made accessible in Jammu Kashmir. T

Ep 251: The Final Frontier

32 min 42 sec

Takshashilas policy proposal, The New Space Policy 2020 proposes a clear governance structure that paves the way for the growth of the nascent private space sector in India. T

Ep 252: Religion and Money In Medieval Gujarat

25 min 44 sec

Medieval India is far more complicated than we give it credit for its full of wily merchants, pragmatic rulers, and complex interactions. Anirudh Kanisetti and Aditya Ramanathan dive into 13th century Gujarat, discussing a fascinating inscription f

Ep. 253: China's AI Ambitions and Nuclear Weapons

37 min 19 sec

Chinas has an ambitious plan to use artificial intelligence to transform its armed forces. But how would such changes affect nuclear stability Lora Saalman, a leading expert on the subject joins Manoj Kewalramani, Pranav RS and Aditya Ramanath

Ep. 254: The Dilemmas of Nuclear Security

27 min 45 sec

How big a threat is a nuclear terrorism How did the AQ Khan network really work And is arms control dead In this special episode, Matthew Bunn, Professor of Practice at th

Ep. 255: Does the Budget Matter

19 min 15 sec

Union Budgets are an annual ritual marked by pageantry and breathless commentary. But how important are they In this episode, Anupam Manur and Pranay Kotasthane discuss how the budget really impacts the economy and our daily lives.

Ep 256: The Challenge of Theatre Commands

20 min 35 sec

Indias Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat announced that the armed forces would transition to theatre commands in the next three years. Why does India need theatre commands and what should they look like Lt General Prakash Menon joins Aditya

Epi 257: Fighting the Coronavirus

37 min 54 sec

The coronavirus continues to spread across China and beyond. The WHO has declared a global health emergency, and governments across the world are rushing to contain it. But its a challenge that the world is wellequipped to tackle. Anirudh Kanisetti, Ma

Ep. 258: India versus the Internet

27 min 21 sec

Nearly six months after the internet shutdown in JK, the Union governments decision to partially lift the shutdown has been riddled with controversy. Why is this judgement so controversial In this special episode, Rohan Seth first talks to Apar

Ep. 259: Reading the Economist

28 min 26 sec

In this weeks Reading the Economist, Aditya Ramanathan, Anirudh Kanisetti, and Sarthak Pradhan explore everything from the consequences of the Atlantic Slave Trade to Britains nuclea

Ep. 260: Dissing Misinformation

26 min 26 sec

Facebook recently stated that a doctored video of U.S. congresswoman Nancy Pelosi did not violate community guidelines. So what constitutes fake news And what are the big social media companies doing about it Anirudh Kanisetti talks to Prateek

Ep. 261: Caste Away

27 min 16 sec

After hundreds of years of caste endogamy, one would think that Indian society would be far more open to intercaste marriages than it actually is. Shambhavi Naik and Sarthak Pradhan unpack the science and political economy of intercaste marriage

Ep. 262: Fighting the Coronavirus Pt 2

24 min 38 sec

As the coronavirus continues to take a lethal toll across the world, Manoj Kewalramani and Shambhavi Naik take stock of recent developments and try to make a better sense of Chinas response.

Ep. 263: Competition and Reassurance in the Indo-Pacific

31 min 7 sec

Is China now playing nice after years of assertiveness Does Indias policy of evasive balancing make any sense Manoj Kewalramani and Suyash Desai join Aditya Ramanathan to debate new ideas about the politics of the IndoPacific.

Ep. 264: Reading the Economist

20 min 28 sec

In this weeks Reading the Economist, Aditya Ramanathan is joined by Anirudh Kanisetti and Suyash Desai to discuss the failure of UN peacemaking, arms sales in the Middle East, and the politics of Ireland, the Phillippines, and Kazakhstan.

Ep. 265: India's Fiscal Future

32 min 52 sec

The 15th Finance Commission has come out with a slew of recommendations. Which states stand to gain and which ones stand to lose Anupam Manur and Pranay Kotasthane examine some of the implications of the commissions interim report.

Ep. 266: Trump Comes to India

27 min 41 sec

US President Donald Trump is set to land in Ahmedabad on February 24 on his first trip to India. But will his visit amount to anything more than hype Manoj Kewalramani and Pranay Kotasthane join Aditya Ramanathan to discuss the future of the IndiaUS r

Ep. 267: Fighting the Coronavirus Pt 3

23 min 34 sec

A new speech by Xi Jinping shows that the Chinese leadership was aware of the outbreak well before strict measures were taken. Is this an admission of systemic failure or signalling of strength Manoj Kewalramani and Shambhavi Naik take stock of all the

Ep. 268: Is a Multipolar World Good for India?

32 min 48 sec

Even as India receives US President Donald Trump with fanfare it remains committed to a multipolar world order. But is such an order really conducive to Indias rise

Ep. 269: A European Nuclear Force?

20 min 27 sec

French President Emmanuel Macron wants European Union countries to discuss the possibility of giving Frances nuclear forces a broader role in European security. Is this a feasible idea What is Macrons game plan Aditya Ramanathan, Nischitha Suresh an

Ep. 270: The Perils of Eugenics

23 min 37 sec

As geneediting technology advances, the social contexts within which it will unfold need to be understood and integrated into policy planning. Shambhavi Naik and Anirudh Kanisetti discuss the dark history of eugenics, its recent resurgence, and what Ind

Ep. 271: Fighting the Coronavirus Pt 4

21 min 16 sec

While the number of new coronavirus cases are falling in China, Xi says the situation remains grim and complex. Whats worse, there are new hotspots emerging internationally. Manoj Kewalramani and Shambhavi Naik discuss all this and more in this weekly

Ep. 272 China's Expeditionary Forces

21 min 18 sec

Slowly but surely, China is developing expeditionary capabilities that will allow it to project power in the overseas territory. Whats driving it to develop such forces And should India be worried Suyash Desai and Pranav RS join Aditya Ramanathan to

Ep. 273: Indian Troops in Afghanistan?

21 min 13 sec

With the U.S. looking for a quick exit from Afghanistan, should India consider putting boots on the ground Pranay Kotasthane is joined by Manoj Kewalramani and Aditya Ramanathan as he makes the case for India to provide specific kinds of support to Afgh

Ep. 274 What Next in Afghanistan?

28 min 3 sec

Americas deal with the Taliban is being celebrated by some as a step towards peace. Are they right Anand Arni and Pranay Kotasthane join Aditya Ramanathan to dissect the deal and highlight the many perils it is likely to bring to Indians and Afghans.

Ep. 275: Sense and Censorship?

29 min 28 sec

The decision by the streaming service Hotstar to withhold the show Last Week Tonight has stirred controversy. In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani, Prateek Waghre and Utkarsh Narain discuss the repercussions of Hotstars decision and the rationale behin

Ep. 276: Getting More Women in the Workforce

32 min 20 sec

India continues to have too few women at work even in whitecollar jobs. What can be done to increase their numbers Anupam Manur asks Sowmya Nandan and Shambhavi Naik why women in India find it difficult to pursue careers and how workplaces

Ep. 277: The Problem of Depressed Potatoes

22 min 58 sec

The humble potato emerged from the mountains of Peru to become a staple food around the world. Today, the potato suffers from inbreeding or depression thats reducing its nutrition and productivity. What can be done Shambhavi Naik joins Aditya Ramanat

Ep. 278: Bertil Lintner on India-China Rivalry

33 min 19 sec

From Wuhan to Chennai, both China and India have reiterated that they must not let differences turn into disputes.

Ep. 279: The Contest for Undersea Supremacy

28 min 3 sec

In the murky depths below Asias oceans, competition is brewing between major powers as they seek to protect and expand their fleets of ballistic missile submarines. Whats driving this competition And what role does geography play Aditya Ramanathan,

Ep. 280: VP Menon's Legacy

36 min 23 sec

VP Menon rose from nothing to become a critical figure in both the transfer of power from the British and the integration of Indias states. In this episode, historian Narayani Basu joins Anirudh Kanisetti, Sowmya Nandan and Aditya Ramanathan to talk ab

Ep. 281: The Coronavirus Update

25 min 20 sec

Is the global Covid19 outbreak a pandemic What must India do to contain its fallout Nitin Pai and Shambhavi Naik join Aditya Ramanathan to discuss this unprecedented health crisis and what we can expect next.

Ep. 282: The Two Ns Meet

35 min 9 sec

From the COVID19 outbreak to the Yes Bank crisis, the Indian and the world economy are being buffeted by relentless waves of crises. Anupam Manur talks to Takshashilas founders, the two Ns: Narayan Ramachandran and Nitin Pai, to take stock of th

Ep. 283: Yes, Banks Fail

29 min

The Yes Bank crisis has spurned the government to send State Bank of India SBI to its rescue. This has led to a further consolidation of public sector banks in India. Why are some banks struggling In this episode, Pranay Kotasthane sits d

Ep. 284: Making Sense of China's Military Modernization

30 min 15 sec

The military reforms initiated by President Xi Jinping have brought sweeping changes to the Peoples Liberation Army PLA. But are these measures making China more secure In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani and Suyash Desai discuss their new research on

Ep. 285: Stocking up on Oil: India's Strategic Petroleum Reserves

23 min 24 sec

India is one of the most oildependent countries in the world. But what can it do when hydrocarbon supplies are disrupted Anupam Manur and Narayan Ramachandran talk about their new research into how India can build its Strategic Petroleum Rese

Ep. 286: Ruling the World-Island

37 min 28 sec

President Vladimir Putin is consolidating his power both internally and along Russias peripheries. Is there a method that underlies Moscows behaviour Anirudh Kanisetti and Aditya Ramanathan dive into the world of Russian ideologue Alexander Dugin an

Ep. 287: Narratives of COVID-19

24 min 31 sec

As Covid19 cases spread around the world, China says it has turned the tide to contain the outbreak. Anirudh Kanisetti and Manoj Kewalramani discuss how Chinese officials and media are now seeking to shift focus from Chinas early fail

Ep. 288: The Two Ns Meet: The End of Pandemics?

38 min 54 sec

Could we be experiencing the last global pandemic Will revolutions in computing and synthetic biology transform the way we deal with contagious diseases In this episode, Takshashilas founders, Nitin Pai and Narayan Ramachandran discuss the pros

Ep. 289: Viral World Order

22 min 10 sec

We are probably still in the early days of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. What human and financial toll will it take And what sort of a world will we inherit when this pandemic is over Manoj Kewalramani and Aditya Ramanathan take a sobering

Ep. 290: Tech in the Time of Corona

29 min 54 sec

A number of states have leveraged technology solutions to combat the Covid19outbreak. What have they done What can India learn from their experiences And what are the longterm implications of these tech interventions

Ep. 291: Pandemic Winners

21 min 59 sec

While the Covid19 pandemic has cast a gloom over the global economy, there are some sectors and companies that continue to thrive. Rohan Seth and Nischitha Suresh join Manoj Kewalramani to talk about why certain firms are growing and how others are adapt

Ep. 292: Sandalwood: A Sad Story

27 min 35 sec

What happens when the government takes away your property rights Why does the state government own all sandalwood trees in Karnataka In this episode, Anupam Manur and Pranay Kotasthane discuss the fascinating story of sandalwood regulations and its re

Ep. 293: The Geopolitics of Covid-19

32 min 28 sec

How is the Covid19 pandemic reshaping the SinoUS relationship Are we witnessing a geopolitical realignment in Europe Is Chinas influence growing or are its early failures and aggressive propaganda attracting a backlash Manoj Kewalramani talks to And

Ep. 294: A Grand Strategy with Chinese Characteristics

34 min 40 sec

The Belt and Road Initiative BRI is considered to be Chinas path to carving a new world order. But who conceptualized it first And how do the Chinese actually think about their place in the world In this episode, Manoj Kewalramani and Suyash Desai t

Ep. 295: India and the Oil Wars

29 min 15 sec

The RussiaSaudi faceoff on oil production combined with the global pandemic has sent crude prices plunging. Whats the global impact of low energy prices and what can India do Anupam Manur, Anirudh Kanisetti and Aditya Ramanathan discuss.

Ep. 296: Pakistan's Pandemic Politics

32 min 50 sec

Why do we know so little about how the coronavirus pandemic is hurting Pakistan In this episode, Pranay Kotasthane, Sarthak Pradhan and Sakshi Arora discuss Takshashilas new strategic assessment of Covid19s impact on Pakistan, and the poli

Ep. 297: COVID and China's Economy

35 min 9 sec

How has the Covid19 pandemic impacted Chinas economy Are we likely to see a swift recovery or a lengthy period of stops and starts And whats likely to be the impact on the global trading order Manoj Kewalramani discusses all this and more with the

Ep. 298: Post Pandemic Economics

32 min 42 sec

What will Indias economy look like at the end of the Covid19 pandemic What should the union and state governments do to limit the damage and aid a recovery In this episode, Anupam Manur and Nitin Pai discuss a plan to kickstart growth once the smoke

Ep. 299: China Invests in India

29 min 16 sec

The past six years have witnessed phenomenal growth in Chinese private sector investment in India. So which sectors have gained the most How does this impact the SinoIndian relationship And what are the regulatory challenges that this trend poses Mano

Ep. 300: NPT, Covid-19 and the Future

22 min 4 sec

The Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty turned 50 this year. But its landmark review conference this year has been postponed because of the global pandemic. Anirudh Kanisetti talks to Aditya Ramanathan and Pranav RS about treatys contested past and uncertai

Ep. 301: WHO and The Pandemic

20 min 52 sec

Did the WHO mishandle the SARSCov2 outbreak Should it have raised the alarm earlier and declared it a pandemic Suyash Desai and Nischitha Suresh tell Manoj Kewalramani why believe the WHO messed up and how states use international organizations f

Ep. 302: India's Neighbours and Covid

31 min 59 sec

Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh have been dealing with the global pandemic in their own ways. In this episode, Anand Arni, Pranay Kotasthane and Suyash Desai talk about how Indias neighbours have responded and the role of SAARC and BIMSTEC in facilita

Ep. 303: Truth-Telling in the Military

19 min 55 sec

How should military leaders report difficult truths up the chain of command As the coronavirus spread on board an American aircraft carrier, its captain sent a stronglyworded letter to his superiors that was leaked to the press.

Ep. 304: Is There a Doctor on the Phone?

22 min 32 sec

The Medical Council of India has announced guidelines for the practice of telemedicine by registered doctors. Can telemedicine help shield frontline healthcare workers during a viral outbreak

Ep. 305: Have the Hong Kong Protests Failed

38 min 16 sec

The Covid19 pandemic has led to a pause in the prodemocracy protests in Hong Kong. The movement, however, continues to command public support and friction is likely to continue in the long run.

Ep. 306: The Hashtag Pandemic

44 min 21 sec

Who is to blame for Covid19 It depends on who you ask, and it might depend on which countrys information operations they have been exposed to on social media. As hashtags duke it out on Twitter, Anirudh Kanisetti speaks to Manoj Kewalramani and Prateek

Ep. 307: The Shape of India's Nuclear Arsenal

37 min 36 sec

While India has a transparent nuclear doctrine, its nuclear arsenal is almost a black box to outsiders. Are Indias existing nuclear weapons sufficient to deter China And does India need ICBMs at all In this episode, Aditya Ramanathan and Pranav RS ta

Ep. 308: Price Controls in a Pandemic

34 min 21 sec

Indian authorities have imposed price caps on face masks and sanitisers. Private labs have been told to conduct Covid19 tests for free. While these measures may be wellmeaning, they dont work, and are already leading to disastrous shortages. Anirudh

Ep. 309: Spending More in the Face of Covid-19

36 min 50 sec

The end of the nationwide lockdown will inevitably force the union government to spend more money on healthcare and economic recovery. But is there money to spend In this episode, Anupam Manur and Pranay Kotasthane estimate the amount of cash required

Ep. 310: Learning from History: Bengal Famine and Covid-19

26 min 15 sec

The Bengal Famine was one of the worst humanitarian disasters in modern Indian history. What caused the famine and can it tell us how to handle a pandemic today In this episode, Aditya Ramanathan talks to Anirudh Kanisetti and Sarthak Pradhan about a tim

Ep. 311: A National Reopening Strategy For India

24 min 57 sec

As India prepares to ease lockdown restrictions and restore economic activity, most epidemiological models expect there to be fresh waves of infection over the coming months.

Ep. 312: India’s FDI Dilemmas

27 min 37 sec

Foreign investment will be critical to reviving the Indian economy as the threat from Covid19 retreats. At the same time, theres concern about foreign entities picking up undervalued Indian assets.

Ep. 313: Content Moderation During COVID Times

24 min 21 sec

Less than a year ago, the social media giants claimed that moderating content online was an arduous task. Yet, under the shadow of Covid19, these companies are successfully removing misinformation from their sites.

Ep. 314: The PLA and Covid-19

26 min 15 sec

China claims its military has been unscathed by the novel coronavirus pandemic despite being part of the containment effort. Could this claim be true Aditya Ramanathan talks to Manoj Kewalramani and Suyash Desai to discuss the impact of Covid19 on the

Ep. 315: COVID-19: Crisis or Opportunity?

33 min 27 sec

Every crisis is also an opportunity, the old saying goes. Anupam Manur and Pranay Kotasthane have some ideas on when that actually happens and what opportunities India has during the COVID19 pandemic.

Ep. 316: Other Strategic Reserve: Securing Medical Equipment for India

24 min 59 sec

The COVID outbreak has resulted in shortages of key PPE and medical equipment. Building a strategic reserve of these could help encourage indigenous manufacturing, lower prices, and prepare India for possible future waves of the pandemic. Shambhavi Naik d

Ep. 317: Containing the Misinformation Virus

24 min 19 sec

The spread of misinformation has complicated the fight against the Covid19 pandemic. In fact, the misinformation ecosystem has thrived on both the novelty of the virus and preexisting social biases. In this episode,

Ep. 318: How MAD was the Cold War?

40 min 48 sec

Many accounts of the Cold War accept the theory of Mutually Assured Destruction MAD. But did leaders and policymakers actually believe in MAD And if they did, why did they engage in dangerous arms races In this episode, Aditya Ramanathan

Ep. 319: When Will We Get a Vaccine?

25 min 34 sec

What are the challenges in developing a vaccine for Covid19 How soon can we have one And what if there is none Shambhavi Naik and Sunila Dixit join Aditya Ramanathan to talk about the treacherous path to a safe and effective vaccine.

Ep. 320: The Virus Ravages West Asia

30 min 47 sec

COVID19 is taking a terrible human toll in West Asia even as it rewires the regions geopolitics in surprising ways.

Ep. 321: India: The World's Factory?

28 min 30 sec

The COVID19 pandemic has exposed the risks of depending on China for global manufacturing. Is this a call for India to manufacture for the world instead What will it actually take to achieve that In this episode,

Ep. 322: WhatsApp with Jio-Facebook?

25 min 28 sec

Facebook which owns WhatsApp has recently acquired a stake in Reliance Jio. This might have profound implications for the future of Indian ecommerce and telecommunications.

Ep. 323: Command of the Officer

26 min 53 sec

A recent attack in northern Kashmir killed the Commanding Officer CO and three other soldiers of the 21 Rashtriya Rifles.

Ep. 324: Facebook’s Supreme Court

32 min 58 sec

Facebook has announced a 20member content oversight board that many are calling a Supreme Court. Are 20 members really enough to moderate all the content on Facebook

Ep. 325: Going Conventional: Europe and the Future of Arms Control

45 min 25 sec

The death of nuclear arms control seems imminent. But what about conventional arms In this episode, Aditya Ramanathan and Pranav RS talk to Dr. Ulrich Khn about the history of conventional arms control and its impact on European security.

Ep. 326: India’s Post-Covid Opportunities

41 min 57 sec

The COVID19 pandemic is likely to have a lasting impact on the global order. While SinoUS competition is expected to accelerate, middle powers like India could enjoy greater bargaining capabilities with both of them.

Ep. 327: Why India Needs Arms Imports

23 min 5 sec

Chief of Defence Staff General Bipin Rawat recently said the armed forces should not push for large arms imports and be realistic about their requirements. Why does Indian remain a major arms importer Lt General Prakash Menon,

Ep. 328: Improving India’s Testing Capacity

29 min 43 sec

With barely 300 tests per million people, India, the worlds most populous country, has a long way to go before it has a clear picture of the way COVID19 is spreading.

Ep. 329: Preparing for the Second Wave: India Against COVID-19

33 min 52 sec

With India easing restrictions on the movement of people, is it possible that the worst of the COVID19 pandemic is over Unfortunately, no. Theres a long way to go before we can be sure of that. Shambhavi Naik, Sunila Dixit, and Anirudh

Ep. 330: Putin's Pandemic

26 min 32 sec

Today, Vladimir Putins Russia faces its most serious threat since its annexation of Crimea in 2014. COVID19 has spread rapidly, placing enormous strains on its public health system. Russias economy is in lockdown.

Ep. 331: Economic Stimulus for Post-COVID India

32 min 36 sec

Rupees twenty lakh crore. Thats the size of the stimulus package promised by the government. But how will it work

Ep. 332: Intervention Using Tech: Solutions for Tackling COVID-19

33 min 2 sec

Technology touches almost every aspect of our daily life. But whats the use of it during a pandemic In this episode, Rohan Seth talks to Prateek Waghre, Sapni G Krishna and Utkarsh Narain

Ep. 333: Krishnadevaraya: The Man and the Myth

27 min 5 sec

Krishnadevaraya, emperor of Vijayanagara, was a remarkable man, a transition between an ancient Indian king and a recognisably modern political leader. Awestruck travellers wrote of the might and wealth of his gunpowderwielding South Indian empire.

Ep. 334: Call of Duty: Short-term service in armed forces

26 min

The Union government recently announced a new recruitment plan called Tour of Duty to recruit young soldiers and officers for a term of three years. Will this help reduce the burden of pensions expenditure

Ep. 335: Lift Off: Space policy reforms and the private sector in India

31 min 48 sec

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently announced that the Union government will provide a predictable space policy and regulatory environment for private players.

Ep. 336: Managing Civil-Military Relations?

21 min 26 sec

With the establishment of the position of Chief of Defence Staff CDS there also came the new Department of Military Affairs DMA. In this episode, Pranay

Ep. 337: Cheap Internet: Reliance and the Telecom Sector in India

34 min 51 sec

India has one of the cheapest internet rates in the world. One gigabyte of data can cost as little as 18, while in other countries it may run into hundreds of rupees. How is this possible

Ep. 338: Spying on your Neighbour

28 min 20 sec

Governments are advocating for social pressure to ensure compliance with lockdowns.

Ep. 339: Choppy Waters: Assertion in the South China Sea

32 min 43 sec

Whats driving Chinas assertiveness in the South China Sea Is this a matter of pandemic opportunism or could there be other factors motivating Beijing

Ep. 340: One Country, One System: China’s Toughening HK Policy

30 min 24 sec

Chinas decision to press ahead with a new national security legislation has led to much speculation about the future of Hong Kong.

Ep. 341: Is the Clock ticking for TikTok?

28 min 59 sec

The idea of banning the TikTok app has been continually trending on Twitter. Critics cite the apps Chinese roots and some of its problematic usergenerated content.

Ep. 342: Locking Horns on the LAC

28 min 42 sec

For over a month now, troops from India and China have been locked in a standoff along the LAC in Ladakh.

Ep. 343: What's Happening on the LAC With China?

20 min 48 sec

China and India are involved in intense standoffs at multiple points across the LAC for over a month. Chinas aggression has approval from Xi Jinping and is driven by domestic pressures, says Jayadeva Ranade, former Additional Secretary, Government of I

Ep. 344: When Should India Reopen Its Schools?

25 min 53 sec

As lockdown restrictions are lifted across India, some states have announced plans to reopen schools. Indias children need to continue their education, and their parents need to go back to work,

Ep. 345: A Chip on China's Shoulder: The Geopolitics of Semiconductors

24 min 10 sec

Have you ever thought about what goes into manufacturing a smartphone that you might order online It involves highlyoptimised global supply chains spanning countries and continents.

Ep. 346: Modi and Morrison - India and Australia Draw Closer

21 min 2 sec

Prime Minister Narendra Modi met his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison for a virtual summit last week, with the two countries striking significant agreements

Ep. 347: SARS-CoV-2 and the Biological Weapons Convention

24 min 55 sec

Most scientists have rubbished the idea that the novel coronavirus is a biological weapon.

Ep. 348: How Russia Plans for Nuclear War

22 min 43 sec

What does Russias new document on nuclear deterrence say about how it thinks about the ultimate weapon

Ep. 349: Treating COVID-19

22 min 39 sec

While much attention is paid to developing a vaccine for SARSCoV2, what are the treatments being tested or developed Shambhavi Naik and Sunila Dixit

Ep. 350: The Geopolitics of a COVID-19 Vaccine

28 min 50 sec

Companies, institutions and governments around the world are racing to develop a vaccine against COVID19. How will the country that gets there first use the vaccine to its advantage Nitin Pai, Manoj Kewalramani and Aditya Ramanathan look at the possib

Ep. 351: What the Second World War tells us about COVID-19

33 min 19 sec

In the 1930s, the US was an inwardlooking country struggling with a collapsing economy and spiralling unemployment. But by 1945, it was on the winning side of the Second World War,

Ep. 352: How a Pandemic Creates New National Security Risks

25 min 34 sec

What are the new national security threats India will face amid a global pandemic How can it anticipate these threats and prepare for them Pranay Kotasthane and Aditya Ramanathan talk to Manoj Kewalramani

Ep. 353: COVID-19: A Testing Strategy for India

25 min 30 sec

As COVID19 continues to spread in India, its becoming clear that governments at all levels, not just the Union, need to get involved in fighting it.

Ep. 354: Ordering the Information Disorder

23 min 42 sec

COVID19 has also unleashed a parallel pandemic of misinformation, disinformation and malinformation.

Ep. 355: Can India and China Fight and Trade?

34 min 29 sec

Should India boycott Chinese goods In this episode, Anupam Manur and Pranay Kotasthane look at some of the common reasons given for banning Chinese products and why theyre wrong.

Ep. 356: Making Sense of the Galwan Valley Incident

48 min 6 sec

The 15 June clashes in the Galwan Valley have resulted in heightened military and political tensions between India and China.

Ep. 357: Galwan Clash: Understanding Chinese Propaganda and Reportage

42 min 9 sec

How has the Chinese media reported the LAC standoff with India Why has Chinese media not pushed for clarity on casualty figures from the Galwan clash

Ep. 358: How Should India Deal With China?

41 min 8 sec

Even as it tries to make sense of what happened in the Galwan Valley, India needs to make a serious reassessment of its policy towards China.

Ep. 359: China's Ambitions in the Subcontinent

28 min 17 sec

Theres been a growing debate in India about Chinas influence in the Indian subcontinent.

Ep. 360: Will the TikTok Ban Work?

36 min 8 sec

The Government of India has banned 59 apps developed by Chinese companies but what does it actually mean to ban an app How will this affect tensions between India and China, and does banning ever really work

Ep. 361: China Through Indian Eyes

32 min 56 sec

Whats it like to study politics and international relations in China And how does India fit into the Chinese world view Manoj Kewalramani speaks to Hamsini Hariharan,

Ep. 362: COVID and Coronil

24 min 38 sec

Ayurvedic formulations touting to cure COVID19 have raised questions both about their claims and the scientific rigour of their clinical trials. Prateek Waghre talks to Sunila Dixit and Shambhavi Naik about Patanjalis

Ep. 363: Oil Prices and the Hidden Game of Governments

26 min 52 sec

Why are consumers paying more for their petrol and diesel when crude oil prices are low What do the Union and state governments do to control prices at the pump Who else benefits Pranay Kotasthane and Utkarsh Narain discuss.

Ep. 364: China Tightens it Noose Around Hong Kong

31 min 39 sec

China is tightening its grip on Hong Kong through a new national security law. The laws sweeping provisions give Beijing powers to crack down on political opposition both offline and online. Manoj Kewalramani, Suyash Desai, and Rohan Seth examine

Ep. 365: Crafting India's Strategy for China

37 min 3 sec

Should India balance against China by drawing closer to the United States

Ep. 366: Talking Turkey in India

31 min 29 sec

Are there parallels between Turkish and Indian politics Why has Turkey been drawn into the Middle Easts wars And how do Turkey and India see each other Journalist Madhuvanthi Srinivasan talks to Anirudh Kanisetti and Aditya

Ep. 367: The State of India's Judiciary

36 min 14 sec

How has Indias judiciary functioned in Indias changing social conditions and political milieu Are there differences in the way the Supreme Court, high courts, and district courts respond to these challenges

Ep. 368: A Mountain Strike Corps to Deter China?

26 min 40 sec

As India considers its options to deter China along the LAC, some are pushing for a revival of the Mountain Strike Corps idea. But what is a Mountain Strike Corps Why has it not taken shape for a decade

Ep. 369: Should Companies Boycott Social Media?

19 min 20 sec

Social media platforms, especially Facebook, have been facing an ad boycott from companies such as Unilever and Starbucks that are demanding they address concerns misinformation and hate speech online.

Ep. 370: How China Sees India

25 min 39 sec

How do Chinas public policy thinkers and strategic community view Indias rise How did social media in China react to the Galwan clash Delhi Policy Groups

Ep. 371: A COVID-19 Vaccine Made in India?

23 min 58 sec

The ICMR recently stoked controversy by asking hospitals to participate in clinical trials for developing a COVID19 vaccine by August 15. Is this a realistic deadline

Ep. 372: How to do More COVID-19 Testing

38 min 15 sec

India has no shortage of diagnostic labs but it isnt testing enough people for COVID19. To understand why, Takshashilas Pranay Kotasthane talks to NIPFP researchers Harleen Kaur and Siddhartha Srivastava and molecular biologist Ameya

Ep. 373: Getting Children Back to Schooling

23 min 51 sec

The COVID19 pandemic has had a devastating effect on school education. But if schools cant open, how can students continue their education in a country with limited Internet access Takshashilas Sunila Dixit

Ep. 374: Beijing's Bid for Supremacy in the South China Sea

25 min 29 sec

Even as China seeks to enforce its territorial claims in the South China Sea, the United States has reacted strongly.

Ep. 375: The Grand Challenge of Weaponising the Economy

30 min 29 sec

Economic interdependence was supposed to bring peace but it also gives states the leverage they can use to coerce each other.

Ep. 376: Personal Memory and History

23 min 24 sec

Why do diaries written in times of tumult have such appeal to us even today What place do they hold in history Manoj Kewalramani and Ganesh Chakravarthi discuss how personal, anecdotal, and first person perspectives shape our understanding of the past.

Ep. 377: Why Don't We Have Underwater Aircraft Carriers?

20 min 11 sec

In the Second World War, Japan tried to develop a whole class of submarines that worked as small aircraft carriers. Why did the idea not catch on after 1945 Why do some military innovations reach a deadend Anirudh Kanisettti and Aditya Ramanathan delve

Ep. 378: India's Arctic Ambitions

25 min 9 sec

Why should India care about what happens in the polar regions And why has it sought greater influence in Arctic governance Aditya Ramanathan talks to Anirudh Kanisetti about Indias fascinating history of polar diplomacy.

Ep. 379: The Twitter Hack and Data Protection

26 min 13 sec

Twitters recent hack has raised concerns about data protection. But would the current Indian Data Protection Bill, which is being reviewed by Parliament, have been effective in tackling these concerns

Ep. 380: Disconnecting From Huawei

25 min 4 sec

The past few weeks have been tough for Huawei, as the UK and France have moved to reduce their dependence on it for their 5G networks. Whats prompted this change Is India also likely to follow suit Manoj Kewalramani and Pranay Kotasthane talk about rec

Ep. 381: Did India Win in Doklam?

25 min 29 sec

The 2017 IndiaChina standoff in Doklam, at a crucial trijunction between India, China, and Bhutan, was widely hailed as a victory for India. But was it In the light of new satellite imagery,

Ep. 382: Securing the Future: India’s Options Amid the LAC Standoff

35 min 31 sec

While India and China are in talks to disengage in Eastern Ladakh, what are the longterm implications of the standoff for bilateral ties Manoj Kewalramani talks to Ambassador Nirupama Rao and Lt. General Prakash Menon on the measures

Ep. 383: Antitrust Enquiry and Tech Giants

31 min 4 sec

Sundar Pichai, Mark Zuckerberg, Tim Cook, and Jeff Bezos attended an antitrust enquiry last week. The tech giants were grilled on issues ranging from conservative bias to platform neutrality.

Ep. 384: The Puzzle of Tech Clusters

26 min 14 sec

Tech clusters play a leading role in fostering innovation, creating jobs, and attracting investments. In this episode, Sarthak Pradhan and Pranay Kotasthane

Ep. 385: Is India Prepared for Gene Edited Humans?

29 min 19 sec

The technology to modify the human genome is here, potentially signaling a transformation of societies and economies.

Ep. 386: Gender and the Indian City

42 min 4 sec

Are Indian cities equal spaces for everyone Do social expectations determine how accepting an urban space is to people of different genders What do gender relations in our homes have to do with the way we live in cities

Ep. 387: Confucian Confusion: India Reviews Work of CIs

32 min 46 sec

Amid the standoff at the LAC, the Indian government is reportedly reviewing the work of Confucius Institutes in the country.

Ep. 388: The Promise and Perils of Facial Recognition

26 min

Facial recognition technology and its applications have been advancing, even in the absence of adequate privacy laws. Facial data is personal, sensitive, and potentially permanent

Ep. 389: Reforming India's Agricultural Markets

30 min 5 sec

Agricultural markets in India have long been characterized by multiple trade barriers and uncompetitive policies.

Ep. 390: Ensuring Nutrition Amid a Pandemic

41 min 3 sec

COVID19 has worsened the problem of malnutrition in India because it has disrupted two critical programmes: the ICDS and MidDay Meal Scheme. However, after initial setbacks,

Ep. 391: The Secrets of Bengaluru's Past

31 min 13 sec

The recorded history of Bengaluru, one of Indias most dynamic cities, goes back well over a thousand years. However, its a past that offers us only the most tantalising glimpses

Ep. 392: Pivoting towards Taiwan

31 min 25 sec

The standoff in Eastern Ladakh has led to a number of calls for India to deepen the relationship with Taiwan.

Ep. 393: How Big Tech Sees the World

27 min 9 sec

Geographies and domestic politics have a profound impact on how big tech operates. This is evident when we examine the stance tech companies have taken on racial justice issues in the US,

Ep. 394: Regulating India's Wet Markets

24 min 34 sec

While a wet market in Wuhan has become notorious for being the likely place of origin of the SARSCoV2 virus, some of Indias own wet markets are plagued

Ep. 395: Restructuring India's Public Health Sector

22 min 49 sec

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare suffers from a lack of clear division of responsibilities, a platform for intersectoral coordination and conflicts of interest.

Ep. 396: An Extraordinary Life in the British Raj

27 min 19 sec

Stuck in the trenches of the Western Front in Europe, a soldier named Mir Mast took a very important decision that sent him on a remarkable journey through the 20th century world.

Ep. 397: Does History Shape Foreign Policy?

36 min 38 sec

Public discourse often attempts to explain the actions of nationstates throughcivilisational worldviews. China, for example, is believed to have a Middle Kingdom approach to foreign policy,

Ep. 398: WhatsApp Pay Antitrust case

29 min 32 sec

In a fortyone page order, The Competition Commission of India CCI last week ruled on an antitrust case on WhatsApps upcoming payments service.

Ep. 399: Revamping India's Labour Laws

31 min 42 sec

Labour laws in India are complex and rigid. In the last few months, several state governments have announced changes to these old rules. But are the steps in the right direction Anupam Manur and Sarthak Pradhan discuss.

Ep. 400: The Scale of the Pandemic in India

20 min 47 sec

Serosurveys conducted in Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune have thrown up some interesting findings on the possible scale of COVID19 infection in India, showing a huge difference between the prevalence of infected persons and the number of

Ep. 401: The Forgotten Heritage of the Deccan

1 hr 8 min 17 sec

From the 14th to the 17th centuries, the Sultanates of the Deccan embarked on a remarkable experiment in globalisation and regionalisation. This is reflected in their art, politics, and culture, but especially in their language.

Ep. 402: Strategic Autonomy: What It Means for India

27 min 56 sec

As Indias relations with China deteriorate, what sort of ties should it seek with the United States Lt General Prakash Menon talks to Suyash Desai and Aditya Ramanathan about the way ahead.

Ep. 403: Can Our Public Spaces Return to Normalcy?

28 min 14 sec

The pandemic has transformed attitudes towards public spaces like schools, movie theatres, and offices. When can these return to normalcy And how Rohan Seth

Ep. 404: How the Pandemic Has Affected Indian Women

32 min 12 sec

As the Indian economy struggles with the aftermath of lockdowns and preexisting problems, COVID19 has now spread across the length and breadth of the country. One of the most serious consequences of the pandemic is the way it has impacted

Ep. 405: How Can India be More Disabled Friendly?

17 min 57 sec

The United Nations has released its firstever guidelines on making justice systems more accessible to people with disabilities. India has the Right to Persons with Disabilities Act 2016,

Ep. 406: Xi Jinping's Plans for Tibet

25 min 8 sec

In a landmark speech last week, Chinas President Xi Jinping laid out Beijings strategy for securing Tibet. What do Chinas plans mean for the people of Tibet

Ep. 407: China Military Report

36 min 46 sec

The Pentagons 2020 China Military Power report emphasizes the advances made by the Chinese armed forces towards achieving worldclass force status. Manoj Kewalramani

Ep. 408: Should the Government Collect Health Data?

24 min 37 sec

The new National Health Data Management Policy creates a framework for collecting citizens medical data. Sunila Dixit, Shambhavi Naik, and Prateek Waghre discuss the provisions of this policy, and what it means for health and privacy.

Ep. 409: How to Increase India's State Capacity

32 min 35 sec

As India struggles with the COVID19 pandemic, questions about the capacity of the state have come to the forefront.

Ep. 410: Should the State Set Rules for Content Moderation?

25 min 52 sec

Reports suggest that India is looking to formulate guidelines for consistent content moderation across social media platforms.

Ep. 411: When Japan Tried to Invade China

27 min 13 sec

The Imjin War of the late sixteenth century changed the fates of Japan, Korea, and China. But what was it all about And why does it have such a powerful grip on modern imaginations

Ep. 412: Making Sense of the LAC Standoff

25 min 59 sec

Is the joint statement between India and China on 10th September a sign that the two sides are finding a way to end their standoff on the LAC Manoj Kewalramani

Ep. 413: How Can We Vaccinate India?

30 min 13 sec

Once a safe and effective vaccine for COVID19 is available, who should get inoculated first And how will India vaccinate at least 800 million of its citizens Shambhavi Naik and Ameya Paleja discuss their new vaccine strategy with Anirudh Kanisetti.

Ep. 414: Why Neglecting Opportunity Costs Leads to Bad Policy

31 min 11 sec

Opportunity cost is the value of the next best alternative that is foregone when exercising a particular option. Any good public policy needs to take this into account, to avoid an inefficient allocation of scarce resources

Ep. 415: The Wicked Problem of Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour

38 min 26 sec

CIB or Coordinated Inauthentic Behaviour is a precisesounding term that remains imprecise. As the recent Buzzfeed expos on Facebook highlights, platform action against such activities is often subjective and haphazard.

Ep. 416: Whose History is it Anyway?

30 min 14 sec

Do statues, monuments and buildings represent history Or just the preoccupations of those that erected them Should statues of problematic figures be taken down Anirudh Kanisetti and Aditya Ramanathan

Ep. 417: Inside China's National Security State

26 min 18 sec

Ever since Xi Jinping assumed power in China in late 2012, concerns about domestic stability, external challenges, and the resilience of Party rule have led to the building of a national security state.

Ep. 418: Serosurveys and the True Picture of the Pandemic in India

23 min 29 sec

Indias national and state/city level serosurveys have come up with concerning results. The disparity between the estimated number of cases based on seroprevalence and the actual number of cases reported is,

Ep. 419: Military Revolutions: Past, Present, and Future

26 min 26 sec

Recent Pentagon reports indicate that China is quickly leveling the scales against the US by building up its military. New frontiers in military technology are constantly being pushed,

Ep. 420: Reforming the Information Technology Act

29 min 20 sec

The Internet in India is governed by the IT Act. But the powers this law gives the state need to be balanced with due process and adequate safeguards. Rohan Seth and Prateek Waghre are joined by Gopal Jain, a Supreme Court advocate and

Ep. 421: India's Sea War Against Germany and Japan

33 min 8 sec

From 1939 to 1945, the Royal Indian Navy fought on the high seas in the greatest conflict in human history. In this episode, Commodore Odakkal Johnson,

Ep. 422: Why Great Powers Procrastinate

36 min 15 sec

Why did the United States aid and abet Chinas rise instead of strangling the baby in the cradle Manoj Kewalramani, Pranay Kotasthane, and Aditya Ramanathan

Ep. 423: Online Fashion Vs Amazon

23 min 56 sec

Why did the Competition Commission of India rule in favour of Amazon in an antitrust case brought by a fashion brand Rohan Seth and Prateek Waghre discuss this ruling and its implications.

Ep. 424: Celebrities and Vaccines, From the 19th Century to the Present

23 min 20 sec

Can celebrities help build trust in a new vaccine Shambhavi Naik and Anirudh Kanisetti talk to Aditya Ramanathan about the historical role celebrities have played in facilitating vaccinations in India since the early 1800s

Ep. 425: How China's Belt and Road Initiative is Adapting to COVID

31 min 50 sec

Even as the world is buffeted by a global pandemic and massive economic slowdowns, Chinas ambitious Belt and Road Initiative BRI is quietly adapting to the new realities.

Ep. 426: Choppy Waters in the South China Sea

28 min 17 sec

As China asserts itself once again in the South China Sea, the United States outlines a new position, and regional actors react cautiously, Suyash Desai

Ep. 427: How Should We Disagree Online?

30 min 22 sec

Interventions against problematic discourse online can result in amplifying it due a combination of group dynamics and algorithmic reward. For example, retweeting something controversial to debunk it might end up making it more popular. How can different

Ep. 428: Ethics in Clinical Trials

31 min 16 sec

ICMRs 2017 ethical guidelines need a revision, with more focus on fundamental principles that govern the moral decisions and on ethical dilemmas that arise while conducting clinical trials/biomedical and health research.

Ep. 429: Does Facebook Risk Antitrust Action?

22 min 20 sec

Facebook reportedly aims to integrate Messenger and Instagram Direct. While this may have been in the works all along, its now stirring murmurs about US antitrust action. Aditya Ramanathan joins Rohan Seth and Prateek Waghre to break down recent events.

Ep. 430: How Can States Help Themselves?

35 min 1 sec

The stalemate between the Union and the states with regards to GST compensation continues. Even if it is resolved, it is going to be a temporary fix. States will need to explore ways to leverage their untapped revenue generation

Ep. 431: Taiwan's China Threat

31 min 43 sec

Tensions between China and Taiwan are on the rise due to repeated Chinese military drills and activities in the Taiwan Strait. In this episode, Manoj and Suyash talk to Sunila about what it means for the future of ChinaTaiwan relations, and what should

Ep. 432: The Trials and Tribulations of ASHAs

21 min 19 sec

Why did Indias auxiliary health workers, the ASHAs, go on strike Sunila Dixit talks to Anirudh Kanisetti about the challenges ASHAs have faced the increased burden from the COVID19 pandemic, the lack of protective equipment,

Ep. 433: China’s Blueprint for Data Security

20 min 51 sec

China recently launched the Global Data Security Initiative, laying out eight important principles. One of these principles talks about the need to use judicial processes to provide law enforcement access to data.

Ep. 434: The Hidden Realities Behind Crime Statistics

29 min 48 sec

What state has the worst crime rates Thats not easy to tell because crime statistics in India arent always accurate reflections of the actual crime situation. In this episode,

Ep. 435: How the Portuguese Influenced India's Culture

33 min 59 sec

From a transformation of cuisines to vanishing creole languages to loan words we use every day, the influence of Portugal on the fabric of life in the subcontinent is endlessly fascinating. Anirudh Kanisetti and Aditya Ramanathan

Ep. 436: What's Happening in Space?

21 min 15 sec

Its been an eventful couple of weeks in matters relating to space, with eight nations signing an agreement on moon exploration and new advances in the reusable craft.

Ep. 437: To Break or Not to Break: Discussing the US Congressional Report on Antitrust

45 min 36 sec

The US Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law came out with a 449page report on monopoly power in digital markets. How might recommendations from this report impact the functioning of Amazon,

Ep. 438: Mental Health and the Pandemic

37 min 2 sec

Prolonged periods of isolation and loss of jobs due to COVID19 have resulted in rising cases of suicide, depression, and anxiety. Open conversations about mental health are the best way to address the stigma surrounding it.

Ep. 439: Submarine Cables: Why They Matter and Who Threatens Them

21 min 24 sec

Around 97 of all global communications are facilitated by submarine telecom cables. These cables, and the online connectivity they enable, are crucial to Indias economic recovery and progress.

Ep. 440: Who Really Wrote the Arthashastra?

20 min 47 sec

The Arthashastra is famously believed to have been composed by Chanakya, the prime minister of Chandragupta Maurya. But a new wave of scholarship is challenging that idea. Was Chanakya real

Ep. 441: The Paradoxes of Pakistani Politics

29 min 16 sec

Whats fuelling political instability in Pakistan Why are opposition parties rallying behind former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and against army chief, General Qamar Javed Bajwa

Ep. 442: Making Content Policy for Hate Speech

26 min

It has been a busy time for content moderation and social media. Facebook has updated its policy on holocaust denial and Delhis Peace and Harmony Committee

Ep. 443: Is Herd Immunity a Viable Strategy for COVID-19?

22 min 3 sec

A recent declaration from a group of experts calls for a different strategy to deal with COVID19: one of achieving herd immunity while protecting the vulnerable. The majority of experts oppose this, pointing out that the idea is impractical and

Ep. 444: Reforming the Power Sector OR Can we have less power cuts?

34 min 22 sec

Reforms are long overdue in Indias power sector. Does the recent draft Electricity Amendment Bill offer viable solutions Anupam Manur and Sarthak Pradhan discuss the challenges Indias power sector faces and analyze whether the draft bill provisions can

Ep. 445: Understanding the Taliban's Strategies for War and Peace

34 min 42 sec

The United States, the Afghan government, and the Taliban are vying for advantage in the ongoing talks. In a conversation with Pranay Kotasthane and Aditya Ramanathan, Takshashilas distinguished fellow,

Ep. 446: How Australia Sees the Indo-Pacific

24 min 46 sec

In a historic development, Australia will join the Malabar naval exercise in November along with India, the US and Japan. High Commissioner Barry OFarell joins Nitin Pai and Pranay Kotasthane to talk about the exercise,

Ep. 447: The Perils of Stubble Burning

18 min 57 sec

Stubble burning in the states of Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh contributes to air pollution in North India during the wintertime.

Ep. 448: The Political Theatre of Section 230

29 min 20 sec

The US Senate questioned the CEOs of Facebook, Twitter, and Google on whether Section 230 which shields them from liability for the actions of online users enables their own bad behaviour

Ep. 449: Rags to Riches: The Mystery of Social Mobility in India

30 min 42 sec

Social mobility refers to a change in ones social status relative to ones current social location. What are the factors impacting social mobility What is the extent of social mobility in India

Ep. 450: China's Plan for the Next Five Years

24 min 45 sec

China held the fifth plenary session of the 19th Communist Party Central Committee last week. The primary task was to assess the results of the 13th FiveYear Plan 20162020 and consider the draft proposal for the 14th FiveYear Plan

Ep. 451: What Today's Submarines Owe to the Cold War and WWII

19 min 55 sec

The cutting edge features in naval submarines today are the legacy of Cold Warera technologies that were, in turn, derived from both Axis and Allied efforts from the 1930s. Suyash Desai and Aditya Pareek discuss the fascinating history of how

Ep. 452: What Ancient Egypt Tells Us About Ourselves

42 min 52 sec

Cleopatra, the last active ruler of Ptolemaic Egypt is closer to our time than the Great Pyramid of Giza was to her time. How did ancient Egypt last so long And how did it combine dynamism with endurance Anirudh Kanisetti joins Aditya

Ep. 453: How Will Biden Deal With China?

32 min 35 sec

Will a Biden administration get tougher on Beijing Will it ease the pressure Or will it be more of the same Manoj Kewalramani and Suyash Desai join Aditya Ramanathan to discuss what the coming years might hold for USChina relations.

Ep. 454: What India's Information Ecosystem Can Learn from the US Elections

37 min 44 sec

Information disorder took centerstage in the 2020 US elections, with massmedia and social media platforms both amplifying and containing narratives. What lessons can the information ecosystem in India learn from them Prateek Waghre

Ep. 455: Pfizer and the Hunt for a COVID-19 Vaccine

29 min 36 sec

What does Pfizers announcement about its COVID19 vaccine mean Why did Brazil halt Chinas SinoVac vaccine trial When will Serum Institutes vaccine be ready Manoj Kewalramani is joined by Ameya Paleja and Sunila Dixit to talk about progress being