The Takshashila Podcast

In 2023, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned that his country must be prepared for “worst-case and extreme scenarios” both at home and abroad. Is China simply trying to manage risks amid a difficult external and internal environment? Or is there something else going on? Manoj Kewalramani delves into Xi’s logic in conversation with Aditya Ramanathan. 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: ⁠⁠https://takshashila.org.in/⁠⁠ Check out our public policy courses here: ⁠⁠https://school.takshashila.org.in/

As a new government takes shape in New Delhi, what are some of the key foreign policy and strategic challenges that lie before it? This question will no doubt be on top of the minds of several policy professionals who look forward to the next five years as one where India continues to play a major role in the Indo-Pacific as well as the rest of the world. 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: ⁠https://takshashila.org.in/⁠ Check out our public policy courses here: ⁠https://school.takshashila.org.in/

Do animals have a voice? Not many are aware that India's animal laws are actually forward looking. Come discover this and other empirical evidence that Malathi Renati unearths in her conversation with Shreya Swaminath: Director, Farm Animal Protection, HSI/India. While the focus is on farmed/ domesticaled animals, the concerns are similar across other flora and fauna. It continues to be riddled with apathy and poor implementation. From improving the living conditions of farmed animals to the outdated penalties for animal cruelty, there is alot that we, as individuals, can do with a little awareness. Listen in and share your comments!  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: https://takshashila.org.in/ Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in/

The China-Russia 'no limits partnership' has become part and parcel of deliberations on the nature of the world order today. Most recently, Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin met for the 43rd time, breaking a record for the number of times leaders of two countries have met. And especially since the Russia-Ukraine war broke out in 2022, the partnership between the two sides has grown economically, militarily, and politically. The two also share a common vision for a reformed world order – one that is based on a mutual, anti-West sentiment. In this episode of All Things Policy, Anushka Saxena quizzes Amit Kumar of the Takshashila Institution on the dynamics of China-Russia and its various facets. They also discuss implications for India vis-a-vis the evolving ambitions of Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, given that the natures of India-China and India-Russia relations are diametrically opposed. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, Bengaluru. Fi

In this episode of All Things Policy, Saurabh Todi and Anupam Manur discuss the decreasing quality of online reviews and ways in which vendors, platforms and websites game the system to the detriment of consumers. 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: ⁠⁠https://takshashila.org.in/⁠⁠ Check out our public policy courses here: ⁠⁠https://school.takshashila.org.in/

In this episode, Ashwin Prasad and Nandika Rohith explore India's Direct Ascent Anti-Satellite (DA-ASAT) missile technology, detailing its capabilities and offering a look at how India is shaping its stance in space defence and diplomacy. 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: ⁠⁠https://takshashila.org.in/⁠⁠ Check out our public policy courses here: ⁠⁠https://school.takshashila.org.in/

India has recently taken huge steps to open up the space sector to private entities. Join Arindam Goswami and Ashwin Prasad in this episode of All Things Policy as they look at the trajectory of private sector participation in the Indian space sector, especially in the context of the recent reforms to open up the space sector to private entities and the guidelines issued by IN-SPACe to clarify more about these aspects. To know more, read Ashwin’s op-ed on this topic here - https://www.deccanherald.com/amp/story/opinion/new-guidelines-could-hamper-indias-promising-space-industry-3035235 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: ⁠https://takshashila.org.in/⁠ Check out our public policy courses here: ⁠https://school.takshashila.org.in/

If you are curious to know about the evolution of drones & the way it's changing the landscape of Military Warfare, here's an episode put together for you. Sowmya and Lakshmi are in conversation with Anushka. They dwell into India's drone capabilities, technical details, materials used, AI & jobs. 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: ⁠https://takshashila.org.in/⁠ Check out our public policy courses here: ⁠https://school.takshashila.org.in/

In this episode of All Things Policy, Rakshith Shetty quizzes Amit Kumar on the utility and relevance of MBTs in modern warfare in the context of heavy losses suffered by Russian armoured campaign against a weaker adversary. 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: https://takshashila.org.in/ Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in/

Professions in India such as doctors, advocates and teachers have been accorded an elevated status of nobility. The idea that professions are noble has a range of consequences in terms of their regulatory and judicial treatment. In this hard-hitting episode, Anupam Manur & Shrikrishna Upadhyaya question the idea of nobility attached to professions. They discuss how professionals are burdened with restrictions relating to advertisements & marketing, client solicitation, and earning profits, that in turn have skewed the market for delivery of these important services. 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: https://takshashila.org.in/ Check out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in/

India's growth in bioeconomy will require strong regional inputs. In this episode, Shambhavi Naik and Saurabh Todi discuss why individual states should have dedicated biotechnology departments and a bioeconomy policy.

In this episode of "All Things Policy," Rakshith explores China's remarkable rise as a green energy superpower with Wanyuan Song, a section editor at the China Desk at Carbonbrief. China, the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has set ambitious targets to peak carbon emissions before 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060. Wanyuan traces the roots of these climate goals in China's national plans and discusses the key policies driving the country's clean energy transition. However, China's path to decarbonisation is not without challenges. The recent US tariffs on Chinese solar panels, batteries, and electric vehicles have sparked concerns about a potential green trade war. Wanyuan shares her insights on these trade disputes. We also discuss China's innovative approaches to green finance, including the development of a innovative financing mechanisms and the role of private capital in funding the low-carbon transition. As the world races to combat climate change,

In this episode of All Things Policy, we are joined by Deepthi Bopaiah who is the CEO of GoSports Foundation, a National award winning non-profit organisation to support elite and emerging athletes across Olympic and Paralympic disciplines. Under her leadership in 2019, GoSports was bestowed with the prestigious ‘Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar’ – National Sports Encouragement Award for identifying and nurturing budding young talent. Due to her incredible work in the field of athlete education, she is part of the National Committee for the creation of a National Sports Education Board and is currently overseeing the training and progress of India’s athletes gearing up for the Paris Olympics and Paralympics. The episode covers the journey of GoSports Foundation, the impact of CSR on sports promotion in the country, the social benefits of women’s participation in sport, perceptions of disability and inclusion in the context of the para-athlete community and working with governments at scale to achieve sportin

In this episode of "All Things Climate Policy," Rakshith explores the complexities of climate policy and its global impact with Dr Simon Evans from Carbon Brief. As we navigate through a potential shift in the U.S. political landscape, Dr. Evans elaborates on how a Donald Trump victory could significantly increase U.S. emissions by 2030 compared to Joe Biden's plans. We also explore the historical emissions and responsibilities of various countries in contributing to the climate crisis. Dr. Evans provides a detailed overview of the UK's ambitious net zero policies and targets, discussing the primary goals, timelines, and strategies for a sustainable transition. Amid recent policy shifts under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, including the delay in banning new petrol and diesel cars, Dr. Evans assesses whether these changes could alter the UK's emissions reduction targets. Furthermore, we discuss how policymakers can ensure a just transition for workers and communities affected by the shift fr

India is the second largest mobile phone market in the world and produces 97% of it's mobile phone demand locally. However, the sector is increasingly dependent on the imported components to manufacture it domestically. Mariam Azeemuddin and Anisree Suresh analyse whether the push towards domestic manufacturing is the right step to reduce the growing trade deficit.

The year 2023 was globally the hottest on record. India was no different. Temperature spikes in 2024 are indeed worrying policymakers, but the common citizen is perhaps the worst affected. To understand what is happening in our cities, Dr Y Nithiyanandanam and Sachin Kalbag discuss the Urban Heat Island effect and its impact.

The United States has accused Russia of developing a space-based "nuclear device" capable of targeting other satellites. What could such a device be and why would states want such weapons? Ashwin Prasad and Aditya Ramanathan delve into the frightening rationales for waging nuclear warfare in our orbits.

South Korea's economic trajectory from a low-income, agriculture-based economy in the 1950s to a high-income, technology, and innovation leader is a testament to its remarkable transformation. What facilitated this transition? Were there any unintended consequences?  In this episode of All Things Policy, Anisree Suresh, Anupam Manur and Sarthak Pradhan discuss the insights that India can draw from South Korea's experience.

Listen to this episode of All Things Policy where Anushka Saxena and Sridhar Krishna question India's stance on digital trade and opposing the moratorium on tariffs on electronic transmission. They ask why a country which is a net exporter and the fourth largest exporter of digital services would seek to impose tariffs on digital trade.

India’s regional connectivity strategy has seemingly focused its efforts on maritime domains. A recent working paper by the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) makes the case for greater inland connectivity, particularly between India's Northeast region and the Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal sub-region, given the potential it holds for greater economic activity. Join Kripa Koshy and Riya Sinha, Associate Fellow at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) in this episode to unpack these considerations further.