The Takshashila Podcast

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...

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

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...

Nearly 25% of India’s 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...

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 week’s...

Sweeter than honey and higher than the mountains-that’s 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...

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...

Delhi and Dhaka signed several agreements during Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 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 India-Bangladesh...

Singapore's anti-fake 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 big-tech and media...

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...

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...

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: ...

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...

India's 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...

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

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