Cross-Strait relations between China and Taiwan have seldom been without tensions. Developments from the past few days, however, have ignited military and political skirmishes between the two sides once again. In this episode of 'All Things Policy', Amit Kumar and Anushka Saxena discuss the takeaways from China's recently concluded Taiwan Affairs Work Conference, and the latest confrontation between Taiwanese and Chinese naval vessels in Strait waters. Anushka also opines on what Trump means for...
Mar 03, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 1448
Bengaluru Metro’s recent fare hike has sparked plenty of frustration—while BMRCL insists it’s necessary to stay afloat, commuters are feeling the pinch. With rising transport costs, is public transport losing its edge as an affordable alternative? In this episode of All Things Policy, host Sourav Mannaraprayil sits down with Anisree Suresh to unpack the metro fare hike, its impact on daily commuters, and why affordability is key to a thriving public transport system. They also explore smarter wa...
Feb 28, 2025•21 min•Season 1Ep. 1447
One of the key objectives of any economy’s industrial policy is to boost domestic manufacturing. India’s manufacturing sector, however, has remained stagnant. In addition, India's industrial policies have sometimes violated WTO norms and resulted in a number of trade disputes. Is India creating norms of it’s own when it comes to such policies or is it just following the crowd? In this episode of All Things Policy, Kripa Koshy is joined by Sarthak Pradhan (Assistant Professor, Takshashila), where...
Feb 27, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 1446
In this episode of All Things Policy, Rohan Pai and Shobhankita Reddy discuss the recently concluded Paris AI Action Summit that was co-chaired by France and India. What are the outcomes of the summit and why did the US and the UK decline to sign the summit's final statement? What are the implications of this for the global AI landscape? Tune in to read the tea leaves on the changing political winds in AI. Shobhankita's recent opinion piece on the summit here - [https://www.firstpost.com/opinion...
Feb 26, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 1445
In this episode of All Things Policy, Aparna Rajesh and Maya Patra discuss the Goa State Amrit Kaal Agriculture Policy 2025 and its emphasis on agri-tourism. The policy aims to integrate agriculture with tourism, providing farmers with additional income streams through farm stays, experiential visits, and rural tourism activities. They examine successful Agri-tourism models from Maharashtra and Thailand, analysing their economic impact and sustainability. The discussion also covers challenges in...
Feb 25, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 1444
India's PM Narendra Modi became one of the first state leaders to pay a visit to the US as Trump 2.0 completes a month in office. Join Anushka Saxena and Amit Kumar in this episode of ATP where they discuss whether Modi's visit succeeded in assuaging the anxieties surrounding the Indo-US ties. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-...
Feb 24, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 1443
Have you found yourself frustrated with some of the issues you face every day in your city? Be it real estate prices or public transport systems? In this episode of All Things Policy, Miheer Karandikar unpacks some of the problems that plague India's cities today and outlines some measures that can be taken to mitigate them. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplina...
Feb 21, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 1442
How can cities be designed to be more inclusive and accessible for women? In this episode of All Things Policy, Maya and Aparna explore gender-responsive urban design in India—examining how public transport, street lighting, and city planning impact women's mobility and safety. They discuss global best practices, community-driven initiatives, and policy solutions India can adopt to transform urban spaces. From innovative planning strategies to grassroots efforts, they unpack ways to help women r...
Feb 20, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 1441
Throughout history, Humans have crossed forests and the sea using their navigation skills. Europeans leveraged maps for conquering foreign lands and improving their administration. As we rely so much on technology for our movements in the present, how did people of the past navigate unfamiliar lands? What kind of maps did they create? What relevance do maps hold today? Join Sowmya and Swathi Kalyani of the Takshashila Institution as they sit down with Anirudh Kanisetti, historian and author of L...
Feb 19, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 1440
A budget reflects the government's priorities. The union finance minister presented the budget a few days back. Given the role of research and development (R&D) in fostering innovation and driving economic growth, it is worth exploring the union budget provisions to facilitate R&D in India - What does the government's R&D spending look like? What about prominent policies like the Anusandhan National Research Foundation or One Nation, One Subscription? How will the Finance Minister's ...
Feb 18, 2025•42 min•Season 1Ep. 1439
Join Abhishek Nagaraj and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where we discuss innovation policy, private sector R&D and AI. In today's world of techno-nationalism, where technological supremacy is considered to be an indicator of a country's prowess, and in the ever-evolving landscape of technological advancement, innovation and private sector research and development have become the backbone of economic growth. And recent developments in AI have dramatically accelerated t...
Feb 17, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 1438
In this episode of All Things Policy, Aishwaria and Anushka unpack India’s defence budget for FY 2025-26, exploring spending priorities, capital allocation, and strategic implications. They examine how India is balancing military modernisation, operational readiness, and rising pension costs, while also comparing defence spending trends in Pakistan and China. With China’s expanding military footprint and Pakistan’s reliance on strategic partnerships, does India’s budget align with its evolving s...
Feb 14, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 1437
In this episode, Vanshika Saraf sits with Ashwin Prasad to understand the strategic nuances of the U.S. AI diffusion framework, exploring how it aims to position America for technological leadership in a future dominated by advanced AI. They discuss the motivations behind these regulations, their geopolitical implications, and their potential impact on global innovation. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical...
Feb 13, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 1436
China has approved the construction of a massive hydropower project on the Yarlung Tsangpo, yet key details about its impact assessment remain undisclosed. The recent earthquakes in Tibet and their associated damage highlight the potential risks of such large-scale initiatives. The latest edition of the Takshashila Geospatial Bulletin delves deep into the Medong Dam, exploring its implications for India as a lower riparian nation. In this ATP episode, Ms Swathi Kalyani quizzes Dr. Nithiyanandam ...
Feb 12, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 1435
In today's episode of All Things Policy, Shree Keerthi and Swathi Kalyani discuss the world of locusts, exploring their origins, evolution, and swarming behaviour. Locust infestations pose significant challenges for both the government and farmers. Swarms threaten crops, but GIS technology and remote sensing can aid in monitoring, forecasting, and mitigating damage. These tools enable early interventions to protect livelihoods and safeguard ecosystems. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid p...
Feb 11, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 1434
The big news story in artificial intelligence is the R1 model from DeepSeek, a chinese AI lab. Shobhankita and Rijesh from the Takshashila Institution's High-Tech Geopolitics programme explore why this is newsworthy and what this means for the AI community in India as well as globally. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-depth ra...
Feb 10, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 1433
This is the second of a 2-part series. Childhood is precious! How can we guarantee that India's youth receive a well-rounded and enriching education where play is seamlessly integrated into learning? Malathi Renati hosts the authors of Get Kids to Play —Saumil Majmudar (CEO and Co-founder of SportzVillage) and Vijay Krishnamurthy (Sports Researcher and Executive Coach)—as they explore the vital themes of their book 'Space, Time, Child, Content, and Facilitator'. All Things Policy is a daily podc...
Feb 07, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 1432
Childhood is precious! How do we ensure India’s youth experience a fulfilling and holistic education, where play is part and parcel of learning? Malathi Renati hosts the authors of “Get Kids to Play”, Saumil Majmudar (CEO and Co-founder SportzVillage) and Vijay Krishnamurthy (Sports Researcher and Executive Coach), and together they unpack the significance of the key focus areas in their book Space, Time, Child, Content and Facilitator.This is the first of a 2 part podcast series. All Things Pol...
Feb 06, 2025•38 min•Season 1Ep. 1431
In this episode of All Things Policy podcast, Ashwin Prasad and Avinash Shet discuss the scramjet engine technology. Motivated by the ground test of the scramjet engine by DRDL, a DRDO lab, we discuss the importance of this successful test. We unravel the technology behind the scramjet engine and explore its implication on regional and global geopolitics. Link to the Jet Engine document mentioned in the podcast: https://takshashila.org.in/research/jet-engines-and-ecosystem All Things Policy is a...
Feb 05, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 1430
In this episode of All Things Policy, Miheer Karandikar and Anisree Suresh explore the latest proposed policy by the Maharashtra government to mandate individuals to own or secure a parking space to buy a car in Mumbai. They examine the intricacies of the proposed policy and suggest how congestion pricing can be an effective solution to traffic congestion woes. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru. ...
Feb 04, 2025•26 min•Season 1Ep. 1429
How can conditions be created where domestic workers can flourish through their engagements and employment? Why domestic workers, though - They cook, clean, and care for our homes, yet their own working conditions remain precarious and invisible. With estimates ranging from 4 million to over 50 million, domestic workers are an essential yet undervalued part of India’s economy. Beyond formal vs. informal sector debates, how do we create an environment where they can truly thrive? From wage anchor...
Feb 03, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 1428
There are numerous challenges facing India in the aerial domain. Lack of pace of modernisation, China’s rapid pace of acquisition and technological advances including a new 6th gen fighter. Air Marshal TD Joseph (Retd.) and Yusuf Unjhawala discuss how India can defend itself in this situation. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru. Find out more on our research and other work here: ...
Jan 31, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 1427
An Advisory Group, chaired by the Principal Scientific Advisor, has been formed to develop an India-Specific AI Regulatory Framework. A subcommittee within this group has released a guidelines report that is currently open for consultation. Rijesh Panicker and Bharath Reddy unpack and discuss the recommendations in the report. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru. Find out more on our researc...
Jan 30, 2025•19 min•Season 1Ep. 1426
In 2024, the City of Seoul announced that it would spend $325 million over the next five years to “create a city where no-one is lonely”. The initiative proposed a series of interventions ranging from a 24/7 counselling helpline to more green spaces and nutritional meal plans. But is there a role for government intervention to tackle this issue? Join Kripa Koshy and Suman Joshi, Programme Managers at Takshashila, to hear them discuss these policy interventions, what role markets and civil societ...
Jan 29, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 1425
With his return to the Oval Office for a second term, US President Donald Trump has promised a 'Golden Age' for America. But questions loom large as to his stance on the US's precious alliances, his approach to deal with the war in Ukraine and the intensifying contestation with China, and his commitment to a strengthening India-US partnership. In this episode of 'All Things Policy', Anushka Saxena speaks to Manoj Kewalramani to untangle Trump's vision for the regional order, and his priorities f...
Jan 28, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 1424
The Shakti program offers free bus travel for women and transgender individuals in Karnataka, boosting workforce participation and financial freedom for marginalized communities. While it has increased ridership and saved money for millions, challenges like overcrowding, harassment, and insufficient buses remain. Maya and Vanshika discuss the pros and cons of the scheme in this episode. Watching China is a 5-week weekend course starting February 1st, designed to help you decode the structures, i...
Jan 27, 2025•20 min•Season 1Ep. 1423
In the latest episode of 'All Things Policy', Anushka Saxena quizzes Amit Kumar on his approach and framework to determine sectors of vulnerability in the burgeoning and asymmetric India-China Trade Relationship. Amit also sheds light on why electronic and electrical components, machinery and machine tools, and organic chemicals should emerge as priority sectors in India's de-risking strategy, and how such a strategy can be pursued. Strategic and Critical Vulnerability Framework: https://takshas...
Jan 24, 2025•33 min•Season 1Ep. 1422
In this episode, Rakshith hosts Lauri Myllyvirta, a co-founder and lead analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) as well as a senior fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute's China Climate Hub. Lauri has spent the past decade as an energy analyst focusing on climate, energy, and air pollution issues across Asia, having been based in Beijing from 2015 to 2019. His research has primarily concentrated on China’s coal consumption, CO2 emissions trends, sources of air pol...
Jan 23, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 1421
The discussion around the upcoming census and the ensuing delimitation and reapportionment exercise has immense ramifications for the democratic future of India. Voters per MP, vote equality, and federalism are some of the principles on which arguments are being made. What is the historical context of this exercise, and what is at stake for the southern states? What could be the pathways for the future? Suman and Miheer discuss this in this episode. Watching China is a 5-week weekend course star...
Jan 22, 2025•35 min•Season 1Ep. 1420
India’s states have each charted their unique growth paths. While some states have performed remarkably well, some have lagged. Recent studies highlight these dynamics, identifying successes and areas of concern. In this episode, Sarthak Pradhan and Rijesh Panicker discuss the economic trajectory of India’s states, examining their growth stories and challenges. The studies referred to in the paper https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WP/Issues/2024/11/11/Growth-Convergence-and-Public-Finances-of...
Jan 21, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 1419
