In this episode of All Things Policy, Manoj Kewalramani and Anushka Saxena discuss the codification of China's security view and policy in its latest White Paper on National Security in the New Era. They analyse the key takeaways of the paper, including China's red lines, approach to the Asian regional order, and tensions with the West. 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 mul...
May 30, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 1508
Every painted wall, pothole & traffic in Bengaluru has a story to tell. In this episode of All Things Policy, Pravar Choudhary of Bengawalks and I, Sowmya Prabhakar, COO of Takshashila Institution, take a stroll exploring the dynamics of the markets, society & government. From gated communities to badly designed footpaths, from heritage buildings to street art, we explore Bengaluru's soul. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into th...
May 29, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 1507
We have much to be heartened about India’s air power capabilities in the recent India-Pak military escalations. However, this is not a time for complacency, and many challenges lie ahead. In this episode of All Things Policy, Shobhankita Reddy sits down with Aditya Ramanathan, Research Fellow with the Takshashila Institution, to unpack and understand the critical steps needed for future preparedness. Link to Aditya’s recent article - https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/blogs/toi-edit-page/two-an...
May 28, 2025•34 min•Season 1Ep. 1506
In this episode of All Things Policy , Prof. Y. Nithiyanandam speaks with Cmde (Dr) Arun Pratap Golaya about the significance of Operation Sindoor and what it reveals about India’s indigenous defence ecosystem. They reflect on the opportunities it presents, the structural challenges startups face, and the need to bridge the gap between research, innovation, and operational deployment. From navigating policy bottlenecks to balancing indigenisation with strategic international collaboration, this ...
May 27, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 1505
How have Chinese analysts and citizen commentators responded to the April 22 terror attack on civilians in Pahalgam, Kashmir, and the subsequent military escalations between India and Pakistan? Given that China is an interested party, a regional power, Pakistan's ally and a threat actor for India, understanding Chinese discourse on these events is crucial. In this episode of All Things Policy, Shobhankita Reddy sits down with Anushka Saxena, Staff Research Analyst at the Takshashila Institution’...
May 26, 2025•46 min•Season 1Ep. 1504
In this episode of All Things Policy, Aishwaria Sonavane and Shobhankita Reddy unpack Operation Sindoor and examine how India’s response to cross-border terrorism by Pakistan-based outfits has shifted from restraint to assertive retaliation, marked by deep strikes, drone warfare, and public red lines. They discuss the strategic risks of this new posture, evolving military doctrines, and how both countries are rethinking procurement and operational planning. The podcast also explores the diplomat...
May 23, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 1503
In this episode of All Things Policy, Vanshika Saraf is joined by Dr. Garima Mohan, Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund’s Indo-Pacific Program, to unravel the dynamics of India–EU ties at a time of deep geopolitical churn. They explore the state of the long-delayed India–EU FTA, Europe’s recalibration amid the Ukraine war and shifting transatlantic equations. From Germany’s leadership transition to Jaishankar’s “partners, not preachers” remark, this conversation dives into how trust, trade...
May 22, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 1502
India recently reported a major increase in its coastline. From 7516 Km in 1970, the length now stands at 11098 Km. The accurate measurement is essential for various aspects, including maritime security and credibility in maritime disputes. In this episode of All Things Policy, Swathi Kalyani, Research Analyst with the Geospatial Programme at the Takshashila Institution, sits with Vice Admiral S K Jha (Retd.), former Chief Hydrographer of India, to discuss the objective of re-evaluation of coast...
May 21, 2025•29 min•Season 1Ep. 1501
India and the UK concluded an FTA after close to 3.5 years of negotiations. In this episode of All Things Policy, Suman Joshi talks to Shikha Tomar and Anisree Suresh to understand what it means for both countries. 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 range of modules, ensuring students get a well-rounded learning experience...
May 20, 2025•30 min•Season 1Ep. 1500
Join Colonel Vikrant Shinde and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where we dive into one of the most transformative developments in modern warfare and aviation: the rise of unmanned aerial systems. Vikrant, a Research Fellow at Takshashila, is working on a research paper on this very subject, which will be out very soon. From their military origins to today's complex commercial ecosystem, drones have revolutionised our airspace - particularly what experts call the "Air Littor...
May 19, 2025•54 min•Season 1Ep. 1499
In this episode of All Things Policy, Rijesh Panicker, Bharath Reddy, and Ashwin Prasad discuss the strategic future of humanity with AI, based on the Superintelligence strategy paper. What will the future with AI look like? When might AI achieve critically dangerous capabilities? If one country's AI project threatens global stability, should rivals consider sabotage as a deterrent? How to preserve ultimate human oversight and security? The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailore...
May 16, 2025•48 min•Season 1Ep. 1498
This episode will take a closer look at India’s mechanism to release prisoners, particularly in light of the reality of prison overcrowding and the significant number of people in jail awaiting completion of their trials. According to a Supreme Court estimate, India has over 5.7 lakh prisoners confined in various jails across the country, of which 76% were reported as undertrial prisoners (as of December 2022). In this context, Kripa Koshy (Programme Manager, Takshashila) is joined by Shreehari ...
May 15, 2025•43 min•Season 1Ep. 1497
In today's episode of "All Things Policy," Adya Madhavan and Anwesha Sen delve into the escalating energy demands of Artificial Intelligence. They discuss how the rapid growth of AI, exemplified by tools like ChatGPT, comes with a significant and often overlooked environmental cost due to the immense electricity consumption of data centers. The conversation highlights concerns about the sustainability of this trend, with projections suggesting data centers could use 10% of the world's electricit...
May 14, 2025•25 min•Season 1Ep. 1496
Why is it a task to get research and books funded and published? From acquiring agents, preparing manuscripts, approaching publishers and finally marketing the written word. In this episode of All Things Policy, Leah Govias and Kavitha Rao, the writer and journalist and the author of 'Spies, Lies and Allies: The Extraordinary Lives of Chatto and Roy, discuss the process of funding and publishing books and research. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to ...
May 13, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 1495
Donald Trump's second term as the United States president started on January 20, 2025. India-US trade relations have been in a phase of heightened negotiations and readjustments ever since. In this episode of All Things Policy, Anupam Manur and Sarthak Pradhan talk about various trade-related developments that have dominated the news cycle and discuss the potential contours of a future India-US trade agreement. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delv...
May 12, 2025•50 min•Season 1Ep. 1494
In this episode of All Things Policy, Aishwaria Sonavane speaks with Dr. Happymon Jacob about Operation Sindoor and its implications for India’s evolving military doctrine against Pakistan. They unpack how the Pahalgam attack has catalysed a strategic shift in India’s response to terrorism, the blurring of conventional and subconventional warfare, and what this means for deterrence, diplomacy, and the future of India-Pakistan relations. Check out this X thread for more: https://t.co/F3zPTQrH6I T...
May 09, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 1493
In this episode of All Things Policy, Astha Rastogi, Programme Manager for Defence and Foreign Affairs, in conversation with Yamini J Kumar, who is the Assistant Programme Manager for Law Enforcement & Policing Fellowship, talks about the evolution of mediation, its challenges in India and suggested policies that could be implemented. From a court-referred mechanism to a recognised alternative dispute resolution tool, they explore how mediation is still a strange concept to people and how th...
May 08, 2025•23 min•Season 1Ep. 1492
Your phone needs the right time, but so do robotic vacuum cleaners, drones, and countless other autonomous machines. So, who tells them all? Listen as Avinash Shet and Ashwin Prasad discuss the fascinating technology of timing satellites and their crucial, often invisible, role in synchronising our modern world. 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 off...
May 07, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 1491
With the ensuing trade and tariff war between China and the US, external economic hostility is mounting onto Beijing's ongoing economic woes. The major stakeholders responsible for powering China through this tumultuous economic period are China's local governments. In this episode of 'All Things Policy', Amit Kumar discusses with Anushka Saxena how China's local government financing model works, what its challenges are, and what policy measures are being experimented with to deal with the doubl...
May 06, 2025•40 min•Season 1Ep. 1490
In this episode of All Things Policy, Avinash Shet is joined by Aakash Kumar to trace the evolution of India’s science and technology ecosystem. The episode explores how India’s scientific foundations were laid post-independence under Nehru’s vision of state-led development, discusses the enduring legacy of colonialism, and assesses today’s challenges, including low R&D spending and the deep tech gap with countries like China. With historical context and policy insights, the episode urges a ...
May 05, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 1489
In this episode, Dr Y. Nithiyanandam , Professor at the Takshashila Institution, engages in an insightful discussion with Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla (Retd) on the themes explored in his recent book, "Maritime Power and China’s Grand Strategy" . Together, they examine China’s growing maritime ambitions—from its naval expansion and the “String of Pearls” to grey zone tactics and the Belt and Road Initiative. Drawing on Admiral Chawla’s distinguished naval experience, the conversation delves in...
May 02, 2025•47 min•Season 1Ep. 1488
Trump's tariffs have been the talk of the geoeconomics town for the past few weeks. Most recently, he announced a 90 day pause on his own tariffs. What does this pause mean for the world and India? Are there any opportunities that India can catch onto amidst all the confusion that surrounds this tariff regime? Tannmay Kumarr Baid sits down with Anupam Manur and Anisree Suresh to discuss Trump's tariffs, the pause, and its implications for India and the rest of the world. The PGP is a comprehensi...
Apr 30, 2025•32 min•Season 1Ep. 1487
Fifty years ago, a modest satellite named Aryabhata marked India's bold entry into space. In this episode of All Things Policy, ShreeKeerthi, Research Analyst and Prof. Dr. Y Nithiyanadam of the Geospatial Programme at Takshashila Institution, trace Aryabhata's journey from its creation in Bangalore to its launch from the Soviet Union during the geopolitics of the 1970s. They examine the scientific hopes it inspired and the lasting legacy it created for subsequent missions like INSAT, IRS, Chand...
Apr 29, 2025•31 min•Season 1Ep. 1486
In this episode of All Things Policy, Ashwin Prasad and Aishwaria Sonavane discuss satellite internet. We live in a hyper-connected world, and satellite internet mega constellations are the next leap. Thousands of Low-Earth Orbit satellites are working together to beam internet globally, representing a massive infrastructure and space tech innovation. This technology holds immense potential for military strategy and economic growth, but its dual-use nature also presents security and regulatory c...
Apr 28, 2025•37 min•Season 1Ep. 1485
Maps don't just guide us; they help in decision-making. From our food apps to how well we are prepared for disaster management, location is our new currency. In this episode, Y. Nithiyanandam & Sowmya Nandan from Takshashila talk about how geospatial work impacts our markets, governance and our everyday lives. Location isn’t just a pin—it’s power. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public p...
Apr 25, 2025•41 min•Season 1Ep. 1484
In this episode of All Things Policy, Aishwaria Sonavane sits down with Danish Zahoor to disentangle some of the myths surrounding global migration. The conversation explores the growing backlash against migration in developed countries, tracing its roots to globalisation and examining the potential consequences for global economic integration. It also delves into the so-called "dark side" of migration, including exploitation, inequality, and brain drain, offering thoughtful insights on how thes...
Apr 24, 2025•24 min•Season 1Ep. 1483
In 2019-2020, Parliament passed four labour codes which merged twenty-nine existing labour laws into four broad categories intended to ensure, inter alia, universalisation of wages and social security, ensuring a safe and healthy workplace and formalisation of employment. With the Union government announcing its intention for the implementation of these codes to begin across states by April 1, 2025, what are some of the hurdles that informal workers may face with these new codes? Join Kripa Kosh...
Apr 23, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 1482
The Indus Treaty has been called as one of the world's most enduring water sharing agreements, but is that so? In this episode of All Things Policy, Swathi Kalyani, Research Analyst with the Geospatial Programme at the Takshashila Institution and Arpan A Chakravarty, Research Fellow at the India Foundation, explore the origins of IWT in the aftermath of partition, the role played by World Bank, how it has shaped regional water diplomacy and finally reflect on whether the treaty still serves Indi...
Apr 22, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 1481
OpenAI released GPT-4o, which included art generation, particularly Studio Ghibli-style anime recreation of users’ pictures. This update took the internet by storm, and social media platforms were flooded with people recreating their images in Studio Ghibli-style. Parallely, conversations around the integrity of art/artwork, copyright, intellectual property rights, and protecting the livelihood of artists were highlighted. In this episode of All Things Policy, Astha Rastogi and Anwesha Sen attem...
Apr 21, 2025•27 min•Season 1Ep. 1480
Recently, a Dallas-based biotech company, Colossal Biosciences, announced that it has been able to resurrect a species of wolf that went extinct around 12,500 years ago. It claims these dire wolves are the “world’s first successfully de-extincted animals.” What does this mean for science, ecosystems, and society? In this conversation with Sarthak Pradhan, Shambhavi Naik shares her insights on the methods used by Colossal, the potential consequences of this breakthrough, the ethical concerns it r...
Apr 17, 2025•36 min•Season 1Ep. 1479
