Since the military coup in 2021, things have dramatically changed in Myanmar and the nation has succumbed to a civil war. Shobhankita and Vanshika, research analysts at The Takshashila Institution, discuss the complex situation in Myanmar, its geopolitical implications and way forward for India-Myanmar relations. Link to Vanshika's working paper here- https://takshashila.org.in/research/overcoming-a-strategic-blindspot-indias-turn-towards-myanmar Watching China is a 5-week weekend course startin...
Jan 20, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 1418
In this episode, Rakshith quizzes Saheb Singh Chadha, a senior research analyst at Carnegie India, who recently authored a paper that meticulously examines the four-year period of heightened tensions and negotiations between India and China from 2020-2024. This paper divides the period into three distinct phases based on the negotiating positions of both sides. The analysis explores various communication channels, including high-level political meetings, diplomatic talks, and military commander ...
Jan 17, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 1417
In this episode of All Things Policy, host Aishwaria Sonavane sits down with Abdul Basit, Senior Associate Fellow at RSIS, to examine the future of Taliban-Pakistan relations, currently strained by periodic border clashes, the Pakistan Air Force’s (PAF) recent airstrikes in Paktika, and the longstanding refugee crisis. The discussion also delves into broader regional implications, including India’s strategic interests and the role of the Islamic State Khorasan Province (ISKP) amid escalating hos...
Jan 16, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 1416
Join Miheer Karandikar and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, in which we unpack a scheme that was touted as a game-changer in India's industrial landscape—the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme. Launched to position India as a global manufacturing hub, these schemes aim to boost domestic production, attract investments, and reduce import dependencies. But is the PLI strategy delivering on its promises? Are there hidden costs or unintended consequences we need to conside...
Jan 15, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 1415
The nature of warfare is rapidly evolving with advancements in technology. In this episode of All Things Policy, Avinash Shet and Adya Madhavan explore how Artificial Intelligence is shaping the military domain. From autonomous drones to predictive maintenance systems and lethal autonomous weapons, we unpack the transformative role AI plays on and off the battlefield. Join us as we discuss key global players in the AI arms race, the interplay between civilian and military AI technologies, and th...
Jan 13, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 1414
Predictive policing is an AI use case in law enforcement wherein biometric technologies are used to “predict” crimes. There has been a considerable increase in deployment of such technologies across countries in the past decade and these are thought to be a way to reduce crime. However, while its effectiveness is debatable, increased surveillance and reduced privacy for all citizens is an immediate outcome which brings with it additional risks. In this episode, Anwesha Sen speaks to Disha Verma ...
Jan 10, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 1413
The appearance of Starlink in Manipur wasn't just about unauthorised internet access - it was a wake-up call. Rakshith Shetty and Ashwin Prasad explore the technology, its risks, and opportunities as India confronts the reality of global satellite internet. Read more about this here: www.outlookbusiness.com/columns/how-satellite-internet-can-bridge-indias-digital-divide-and-expand-its-strategic-heft All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Instituti...
Jan 09, 2025•17 min•Season 1Ep. 1412
There is much talk about the state of India's air quality and the urgency of the problem. However, thus far, most mechanisms for its addressal focus on more short term solutions. In this episode, Dr. Sarath Guttikunda talks about the problem and its sources, the need for better air quality monitoring, and long term solutions that have worked elsewhere. He also explains the science behind trans-boundary pollution and the need for cooperative monitoring and mechanisms. All Things Policy is a daily...
Jan 08, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 1411
Local government bodies are essential to grassroots democracy and effective governance in any country, much more so in a large country like India. However, their elections and functioning have been intermittent and delayed since the 1990s. In the second and final part of this episode, Miheer Karandikar talks to Rishvanjas Raghavan about the extent of, reasons behind and solutions for delays in municipal corporations in the country. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to...
Jan 07, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 1410
Local government bodies are essential to grassroots democracy and effective governance in any country, much more so in a large country like India. However, their elections and functioning since the 1990s have been intermittent and delayed. In the first (of two) parts of this episode, Miheer Karandikar talks to Rishvanjas Raghavan about why Indians should care about municipal corporations and what their problems are. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Taks...
Jan 06, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 1409
Sports in India is at a turning point. We are a young nation, holding alot of potential and promise across sectors. There is no better time than now to capitalise on how Sports can be a catalyst for social development, job creation, and overall wellbeing. Listen in to what Malathi Renati and Nandan Kamath have to say about what’s in store for 2025 from a policy, innovation, and community perspective. Join the marathon to transform India! All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brou...
Jan 03, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 1408
In this episode, Sowmya Prabhakar , COO of Takshashila Institution, is in conversation with Bhumika Modh from The Association of People with Disability (APD, India). They talk about the recent developments in the accessibility space. Using the framework of society, markets & government - they dwell on what it takes to make accessibility a reality for PwDs in India. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru. The Takshashila ...
Jan 02, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 1407
It is a season for one nation, one ‘fill in the blank’. The Government of India, on 25 November 2024, approved One Nation One Subscription — or ONOS for short — as a Central Sector Scheme. Lokendra sits down with Shambhavi — head of research at Takshashila, to unpack the ONOS and discuss its upsides and downsides. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru. The Takshashila Institution has designed the 'Technopolitik: A Technolog...
Dec 31, 2024•48 min•Season 1Ep. 1406
In this episode of All Things Policy, Vanshika Saraf discusses India’s regional connectivity efforts with Riya Sinha, who has extensively worked on the CSEP Sambandh Database. From the inspiration behind the project to the challenges faced in compiling and maintaining the database, the conversation explores how India has stepped up its integration efforts with the neighbourhood by intensifying infrastructure development and diplomatic initiatives. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public p...
Dec 30, 2024•34 min•Season 1Ep. 1405
While it may feel strategic, could a political apology be a necessary feature of a healthy democracy? You've seen many a political leader take to a public apology whether it be to address historical injustices or government failures, but what's the value of a political apology anyway? And what are some of the features of a "good" political apology? Join Kripa Koshy and Shreya Ramakrishnan as they unpack a few examples of political apologies in the Indian and global context and tackle these broad...
Dec 27, 2024•39 min•Season 1Ep. 1404
Aditya R and Shambhavi Naik discuss the ongoing plans for updating the biological weapons convention, a key UN treaty that prevents the development and use of bioweapons. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru. The Takshashila Institution has designed the 'Technopolitik: A Technology Geopolitics Survey' to understand and assess what people think about how India should navigate high-tech geopolitics. Please take this 5-minute...
Dec 26, 2024•33 min•Season 1Ep. 1403
Join Dr. Y. Nithiyanandam in a thought-provoking conversation with Ms Ingvild Brodtkorb, guest speaker at the United Service Institution (USI) recent annual conference on UN Peacekeeping Missions. This engaging discussion explores how climate change is reshaping the challenges faced by modern peacekeeping operations. Key topics include strategies for adapting peacekeeping efforts, integrating climate resilience into mandates, and forging partnerships to strengthen conflict prevention. A must-lis...
Dec 24, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 1402
India and Bangladesh have had cordial relations in various geopolitical frontiers. While a successful Ganges water treaty came into existence in 1996, the Teesta River dispute remains unsolved today. but not so much when it comes to the transboundary river, Teesta. While there was a successful Ganges water treaty that came into existence in 1996, Teesta river dispute remains unsolved till today. In today's episode of All Things Policy, Yusuf Unjhawala sits with Dr Nithiyanandam and Swathi Kalyan...
Dec 23, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 1401
After years of delays, India's ambitious Venus Orbiter Mission is set to launch in 2028. Space writer Jatan Mehta joins Ashwin Prasad and Aditya Ramanathan to discuss the incredible challenges of mapping Venus' hellscape. He also provides a fascinating description of subsequent missions planned by the European Space Agency and NASA. Check out Jatan's blogs: Indian Space Progress Moon Monday All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Benga...
Dec 20, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 1400
In a follow-up to a previous discussion on the Starship, Ashwin and Swathi delve into the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), a cutting-edge rocket recently green-lit by India's Union Cabinet, analysing its potential to revolutionise the country's space program. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru. The Takshashila Institution has designed the 'Technopolitik: A Technology Geopolitics Survey' to understand and assess wha...
Dec 19, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 1399
Private players in India do not spend enough on Research and Development. India’s in-house industry R&D spending is a mere 36.4 per cent of India’s gross expenditure on R&D, compared to 77 per cent in China and 75 per cent in the US. This underinvestment limits India’s innovation capacity and, consequently, growth potential. In this episode, Suman Joshi and Sarthak Pradhan discuss the key policy impediments that hinder technological upgrades and innovation for Indian firms. Additionally,...
Dec 18, 2024•31 min•Season 1Ep. 1398
India's Minister of External Affairs, S Jaishankar, recently briefed the Parliament on the disengagement deal between India and China in Depsang and Demchok. While he touched upon several aspects of the deal, many questions remain unanswered. In this episode of ATP, Amit Kumar and Anushka Saxena of Takshashila's Indo-Pacific Studies Programme break down Jaishankar's statement and get into the specifics that went unaddressed. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by...
Dec 17, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 1397
Large language models (LLMs) generally do not work that well with non-English languages. But why is that the case? What does this mean for India, which has 22 languages recognised by the constitution and, according to different estimates, has total languages running into hundreds? How do we build and deploy LLMs for Indian languages? Should we even do so? Lokendra sits with Adya and Anwesha from the Takshashila Institution to discuss these pertinent issues. All Things Policy is a daily podcast o...
Dec 16, 2024•38 min•Season 1Ep. 1396
Join Rohan Pai and Leah Govias in today's exciting episode of All Things Policy as they dive into the world of deepfakes! Following close on the heels of Trump’s election victory, the soon-to-be head of the latest ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ Elon Musk sued the State of California for implementing a new law that would regulate deepfake content shared online, or more specifically, shared on X. Are deepfake bans a violation of free speech? Are deepfakes always employed for misinformation,...
Dec 13, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 1395
To strengthen India’s stance on critical mineral security, the Ministry of Mines in 2023 identified 30 critical minerals deemed essential for the nation's economic development and national security. While the report highlighted India's complete import dependency for ten critical minerals, it did not fully address a more pressing concern - the extent and nature of dependency on China, a strategic adversary with a history of weaponising its mineral dominance. In this episode, Rakshith and Anushka ...
Dec 12, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 1394
It all started with a dream, a vision; to bridge gaps and improve the status quo. Sports entrepreneur and alumna of the #OpenTakshashila "Building a sporting nation" course, Amita Malhotra , shares her start-up journey with Malathi Renati . How she found her IKIGAI, combining her interests, mission, and skills into a viable business model, EqualSportz , the 'new kid on the block' (Debut: July 2024). Listen in to understand the inconsistencies she wants to address for parents and young athletes i...
Dec 11, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 1393
In this episode of All Things Policy, Miheer and Anisree delve into India's state capacity challenges. They examine the Takshashila Institution's research on the topic and propose solutions to address these challenges in key domains. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru. The Takshashila Institution has designed the 'Technopolitik: A Technology Geopolitics Survey' to understand and assess what people think about how India s...
Dec 10, 2024•27 min•Season 1Ep. 1392
In this episode of All Things Policy, Shobhankita and Avinash discuss deep tech software startups. They ponder how we can measure its impact without software patents as a concept in India. They also discuss software patents and alternative frameworks to classify a startup as deep tech software without relying on patents or IP. Link to our earlier podcast on deep tech startup: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6fG8onO5I5s, All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the ...
Dec 09, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 1391
India faces a significant urban housing crisis, particularly affecting low-income households. Indian cities are overcrowded, lack sufficient infrastructure and offer a low quality of life. Shobhankita Reddy and Anisree Suresh discuss the role that startups can play in addressing some of these challenges. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru. The Takshashila Institution has designed the 'Technopolitik: A Technology Geopolit...
Dec 06, 2024•29 min•Season 1Ep. 1390
India is on the brink of a demographic transformation. With a rapidly growing elderly population, the nation faces an ageing crisis with far-reaching implications for its economy, healthcare, and social structures. In this podcast, Vanshika Saraf is joined by Leah Govias and Malathi Renati, where they discuss the issue of India's changing demographic and explore the challenges of providing adequate healthcare, financial security, and social support for seniors. Tune in to uncover solutions and o...
Dec 05, 2024•32 min•Season 1Ep. 1389
