Interpreting India

In this episode of Interpreting India, Tejas Bharadwaj sits down with Jatan Mehta, an independent space writer and author of the popular blog Moon Monday, to explore India's lunar exploration strategy in the context of growing global interest in the moon. The discussion covers the history of India's lunar missions, the scientific and strategic significance of lunar exploration, and how international partnerships are shaping the future of lunar exploration. The conversation also dives into India's participation in global programs like the Artemis Accords and its collaboration with other space-faring nations like Japan and the United States.

In this episode of "Interpreting India," Rudra Chaudhuri is joined by Arun K. Singh, former Indian Ambassador to the United States, to explore the evolving India-U.S. relationship under the Modi-Biden era. The discussion highlights significant advancements in defense, technology, and diplomatic engagements, set against the backdrop of global geopolitical shifts. Singh offers insights into how both nations navigate their strategic interests in an increasingly complex international arena, emphasizing key initiatives and collaborations.

In this episode of Interpreting India, Shibani Mehta is joined by Janka Oertel, director of the Asia Program at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), to discuss the rapidly evolving relationship between Europe and China. The conversation delves into how China’s assertive policies and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war have shaped Europe’s approach towards de-risking its economic ties with China. Oertel provides insights into the shifting geopolitical and economic strategies within Europe, the complexities of maintaining unity among European countries, and the challenges posed by China’s growing influence in sectors like technology, energy, and industrial supply chains.

In this episode of Interpreting India, Shibani Mehta is joined by Helena Legarda, lead analyst at the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS) to unravel the complexities of China's foreign policy. Helena brings her expertise on China’s defense and foreign policies, providing a comprehensive analysis of the domestic sources that drive China's international behavior.

This episode celebrates the 5th anniversary of Interpreting India, reflecting on the journey, growth, and impact of the podcast over the past five years. The hosts discuss memorable episodes, the evolution of discussions, and the enduring relevance of the topics covered. They also share insights into the future direction of the podcast, focusing on more in-depth and diverse conversations. The episode features reflections from various hosts who discuss their favorite episodes, the most impactful discussions, and the enduring themes that have resonated with the audience. The hosts also share their plans for the future, aiming to delve even deeper into the issues that matter most, with more extended and in-depth conversations.

In this episode of Interpreting India, Suyash Rai is joined by Ajay Shah, economist and co-founder of the XKDR Forum, to explore the complexities of India's fiscal policy and the current economic challenges. Shah brings his extensive experience and insights from his roles as an advisor to the Ministry of Finance and as a professor at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy. What are the implications of the union budget for 2024–25? What are the strategic choices underlying fiscal deficit management? How can broader institutional and policy reforms drive sustainable growth in India?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Quentin Verspieren, Space Safety Programme and Protect Accelerator Coordinator at the Directorate of Operations, European Space Agency (ESA) joins Tejas Bharadwaj to discuss the importance of a zero-debris approach in space sustainability. They discuss space debris mitigation, the role of private and public sectors, and international cooperation in ensuring space remains usable and safe for future generations. What are the key tenets of a zero debris approach? How can private companies contribute to space sustainability? What challenges do emerging spacefaring countries face while adopting these practices?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Saheb Singh Chadha hosts former general officer commanding in chief of the Indian Army's Army Training Command (ARTRAC), Raj Shukla, to discuss the ongoing modernization and reforms in India's armed forces. They explore various aspects including India’s defense industry, technological advancements, jointness, civil-military relations, and emerging domains such as cyber and space warfare. How have recent reforms impacted India's defense capabilities? What is the role of technological advancements in military modernization? How can civil-military relations be improved to enhance national security? What strategic and operational changes are necessary to address the challenges posed by China and other geopolitical adversaries?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Vidyadhar Phatak, a leading urban planner, joins host Anirudh Burman to discuss the complexities of urban planning in India. Their conversation centers around the themes explored in Pathak's latest book, "Planning for India's Urbanization," which examines the historical evolution, current challenges, and future prospects of urban development in India. They delve into the impacts of market forces, planning models, and regulatory frameworks on Indian cities, and explore solutions for addressing these persistent issues. How have historical planning models shaped the current state of Indian cities? What are the impacts of market forces on urban planning? How can regulatory frameworks be adapted to better address urban challenges? What role do planners and planning education play in shaping the future of India's urbanization?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Anirudh Suri is joined by Madhumita Murgia, author and AI editor of the Financial Times, to examine the profound impacts of artificial intelligence on society in her new book, Code Dependent: Living in the Shadows of AI. Their conversation centers around the human stories behind AI, spotlighting the inequalities and unintended harms its implementation can catalyze. How is AI changing what it means to be human? How is AI altering the human experience and societal structures? What are some of the policy implications arising out of these unintended consequences?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Konark Bhandari is joined by Karl Mehta, Chairman of the Quad Investors Network, to explore the integration of advanced technologies into the Indian context. The discussion spans artificial intelligence (AI), fundraising, friendshoring, and defense innovation—all considering India's national AI mission and emerging deep tech policies. Karl Mehta, with his experience as a serial entrepreneur, author, investor, and engineer, brings deep insights into how these technologies can shape India's future, both economically and socially.

In this episode of Interpreting India, Poornima Dore, an economist and business leader, joins host Suyash Rai to discuss the nuances of regional economic development in India. Their conversation centers around the themes explored in her co-authored book, “Regional Economic Diversity: Lessons from an Emergent India,” which delves into the dynamics of regional development and the stark economic disparities that exist within the country. How should we measure regional economic development? What are the patterns of divergence and convergence across regions, if any? What factors explain these patterns? What are some institutional changes required to make a focus on regions more effective?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Steven Freeland, vice-chair of the United Nations Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (UN COPUOS) Working Group on Legal Aspects of Space Resource Activities, joins Tejas Bharadwaj to discuss space resource activities and governance. What are some ongoing initiatives that aim to govern space resource activities? What challenges and opportunities do they present? And how can active spacefaring countries like India contribute to these initiatives?

In this episode of Interpreting India, former defence secretary Ajay Kumar joins Konark Bhandari to discuss defense innovation in India and the role of the partnerships in catalyzing defense projects. What have been the recent trends in military modernization? What role can India's indigenous industry play? What explains the recent surge in defence exports from India?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Jabin Thomas Jacob joins Saheb Singh Chadha to discuss China’s growing interest in South Asia and the drivers of its foreign policy. Why does China care about South Asia? How has China sought to engage the region to protect its interests? And what sort of influence has that resulted in?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Anupam Chander joins Anirudh Burman to explore the evolving landscape of online free speech. What is the best model for protecting free speech online? What are the benefits of the way online speech is regulated today? Are community guidelines for regulating online speech better than state regulations?

This episode of Interpreting India dives into the history of India's relationship with China during the first decade of the People's Republic of China's existence (1949-1959). It explores how India navigated the complex geopolitical landscape amidst the "forgotten" competition between the declining British Empire and the emerging superpower, the United States.

In this episode of Interpreting India, Karthik Ganesan joins Sayoudh Roy to discuss the present and future of the electricity sector in India. Why do some Indian households still lack an electricity connection? What are some common electrical connectivity issues faced by Indian households? What are some problems that distribution companies face, particularly in terms of finance?

In this episode of Interpreting India, UN Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu joins Konark Bhandari to discuss the military applications of AI and the role of the UN in driving international governance on this issue. Who are the multiple stakeholders that have a voice when it comes to establishing a regulatory framework for military applications of AI? Why does the private sector need to be co-opted when discussing such regulatory frameworks?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Amit Bhatt joins Sayoudh Roy to discuss issues pertaining to clean transportation. What does the Delhi state EV policy get right? What are some legal pathways available to us to implement low-emission zones or zero-emission zones? Why must trucks be included in the conversation about the electrification of vehicles?

In this episode, D. Shyam Babu joins Suyash Rai to discuss the complexities and implications of conducting a caste census in India. Despite the changes in India’s ruling parties and their corresponding ideological differences, why has the country not seen a nation-wide caste census since 1931? How will a nation-wide caste census help the Indian state with efficient public administration? How has the politics of social justice evolved in India?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Devashish Dhar joins Anirudh Burman to discuss one of the most enduringly important subjects of modern India: the Indian city. How are India’s cities doing? What role will they play in India’s growth story? Is low-quality urbanization a binding constraint on India’s long-term development?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Stephen Ezell joins Konark Bhandari to discuss the semiconductor ecosystem. What is stopping India from cultivating a local chip design ecosystem? Why is it unable to leverage its considerable talent pool, which constitutes approximately 30 percent of the global chip design talent? Is India's aim of setting up a fabrication facility too ambitious?

In this episode, Emmanuel Lenain joins Anirudh Suri to discuss India-France relations. What are the recent economic, military, and geopolitical developments involved in this relationship? What were some of the major accomplishments from the French premier’s India visit and PM Modi’s visit during the Bastille Day celebrations? What are the challenges involved in taking this relationship to the next level?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Manoj Kewalramani joins Shibani Mehta to discuss how China views the Indo-Pacific region. As the geopolitical competition between China and the United States intensifies, how does China conceptualize its role in this region? How will Beijing’s foreign policy choices impact the region’s security environment? What can India learn from the "mental map" through which China views the Indo-Pacific?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Rahul Matthan joins Anirudh Burman to discuss the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023. What were the main points of contention in the making of this law? How have debates on data protection over the past decade shaped this law? What are the key strengths and weaknesses of this law? How will this law be implemented in the coming years?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Suresh Narayanan joins Anirudh Suri to discuss the role of the private sector in climate change. What can the private sector contribute beyond just committing to net-zero timelines? What role will science, R&D, and technological innovations by private sector corporations play in our climate transition? How are companies planning out their own net-zero journeys, and what are the key obstacles and risks they encounter as they embark on this process?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Sameer Lalwani joins Rahul Bhatia to discuss India-U.S. defense-industrial cooperation. What is the scope of defense-industrial cooperation between the two countries? Why have past efforts produced suboptimal results? What is the significance of the newly launched India-United States Defense Acceleration Ecosystem (INDUS-X)? What are the likely obstacles to furthering defense-industrial cooperation between the two countries?

In this episode, Rahul Verma joins Suyash Rai to discuss the debate on democratic backsliding. Are claims regarding the death of Indian democracy exaggerated? Are such claims conflating a dominant party system marked by polarization with democratic backsliding? Are the measures used to analyze Indian democracy conscious of the complexity of Indian polity?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Vaidehi Tandel and Sahil Gandhi join Anirudh Burman to discuss the effect of regulatory reforms in India’s real estate sector on housing prices in Maharashtra. In what context did the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act, 2016, emerge? How has this regulatory change benefited consumers? What changes did this Act try to bring in?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Arun K. Singh joins Konark Bhandari to discuss the Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET), Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming state visit to the United States, and the future of India-U.S. tech ties. Is the iCET more than just a deal? What makes the iCET different from earlier initiatives between India and the United States? Does Prime Minister Modi's upcoming state visit to the United States put the iCET under pressure to "deliver" something?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Shirin Rai joins Shibani Mehta to discuss gender parity in the Indian Parliament. Has the increase in women’s participation in the Indian Parliament been meaningful? What narratives of equality and citizenship have framed the issue of electoral representation? Do women MPs carry the burden of shifting welfare policy in a gender-sensitive direction?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Varad Pande joins Anirudh Suri to discuss India's climate finance and technology strategy. Which areas of climate technology should India prioritize? Will India’s EV, solar, green hydrogen, and biofuels push suffice to position it as a climate leader? What lessons can India learn from the journeys, strategies, and priorities of other countries?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Radhicka Kapoor joins Sayoudh Roy to discuss the state of labor-intensive manufacturing in India. What is the importance of labor-intensive manufacturing for a country like India? What hurdles does labor-intensive manufacturing face? What has led to the present circumstances in labor-intensive manufacturing?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Susmita Mohanty joins Konark Bhandari to discuss recent developments in India's space sector. What does it take to set up a successful space company? What should be made of the space sector reforms unveiled three years ago? How does the recent iCET framework play out when it comes to space cooperation between India and the United States?

The relationship between India and Germany doesn’t receive as much attention as it deserves. In recent years, however, the bilateral partnership has received a big impetus, both economically and geopolitically. India and Germany have had a strategic partnership since 2001, but have recently also embarked on a Green Strategic Partnership for green and sustainable development. In this episode of Interpreting India, Philipp Ackermann joins Anirudh Suri to discuss India and Germany's strategic partnership and the economic, military, and geopolitical drivers of this relationship.

In this episode of Interpreting India, Abhishek Anand and Naveen Joseph Thomas join Suyash Rai to discuss how India can reignite its manmade clothing sector.

In this episode of Interpreting India, André Aranha Corrêa do Lago joins Anirudh Suri to discuss issues around climate finance, energy, technological innovation, global governance, and the SDGs.

In this episode of Interpreting India, Jennifer Brick Murtazashvili joins Rahul Bhatia to discuss Central Asia and the Russia-Ukraine war. How are the Central Asian countries responding to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine? What could Russia’s preoccupation with the war in Ukraine mean for China’s role in the region? And, what are the implications of this on India and South Asia?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Arun Singh joins Surya Valliappan Krishna to discuss the India-Pakistan ceasefire along the border. While focusing on the impact of the 2021 reaffirmation between the two countries, the conversation also looks back at the relationship on the border over the last two decades, and the way forward.

In this episode of Interpreting India, Matthew Glasser joins Anirudh Burman to discuss the issues of urban governance. How do we achieve better outcomes in terms of service delivery? Do we need to change how these institutions are designed and their composition and powers? Or are there other solutions that we should explore?

In the third season of Interpreting India, we at Carnegie India will continue to bring voices from India and around the world to examine the role of technology, the economy, and international security in shaping India’s future as geopolitical realignments, sustainable growth, healthcare financing, inclusive digital transformations, climate change, urbanization, supply chain disruptions, and several other critical global matters envelope the world in light of India’s G20 presidency.

In this special episode of Interpreting India, Vijay Gokhale joins Srinath Raghavan to discuss the increasingly fraught relationship between India and China, in light of the recent clash between Indian and Chinese troops along the Line of Actual Control in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh. They also discuss Mr. Gokhale’s latest paper for Carnegie India titled “A Historical Evolution of China’s India Policy: Lessons for India-China Relations” in which he traces and analyzes the arc of Chinese policy towards India from 1949 to the present day.

In this episode, seven Carnegie India scholars—Anirudh Burman, Deep Pal, Konark Bhandari, Priyadarshini D, Rahul Bhatia, Rudra Chaudhuri, and Shibani Mehta—join Suyash Rai to share insights from their work. Against the backdrop of India’s developmental journey through the seventy-five years post independence, each scholar reflects on their respective area of work to talk about how far India has come and where it is going.

Collaborative technologies like blockchain promise the ability to improve business processes between entities in any domain, radically lowering the "cost of trust." Sarang Bhoyar joins Priyadarshini D. to discuss the adoption and limitations of blockchain in the Indian context.

In this episode of Interpreting India, Ashley Townshend joins Deep Pal to discuss the recent developments in the Indo-Pacific. What would be the contours of an Indo-Pacific strategy that counteracts Chinese adventurism and influence in the region? How can India and Australia strengthen their bilateral relationship by harnessing their national defense industrial bases? And, how can the QUAD countries become significant contributors to public security in the region?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Soumita Basu joins Shibani Mehta to discuss how the WPS agenda has evolved since its adoption in 2000. What is its significance, and how does it operate to achieve its goal of ensuring equitable gender participation in peace-building? How is the agenda being interpreted by countries with different contextual and political settings? And finally, what steps should India undertake to advance its approach toward the WPS agenda?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Soner Cagaptay joins Rahul Bhatia to discuss Turkey’s role in shaping the Russia-Ukraine war, the rationale behind its actions, and how President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s electoral priorities impact Turkish foreign policy during the conflict. It further looks into Turkey’s diplomatic efforts in the Middle East and North Africa through the lens of its involvement in regional conflicts, how Turkey’s drones are influencing its foreign policy, and finally, the implications of Turkey’s engagement with South Asia on India.

In this episode of Interpreting India, we’ll take a closer look at the Indian government’s semiconductor policy and the country’s potential in the space. What have governments across the world been doing to strengthen production capability? How do they compare with India’s semiconductor policy of December 2021? What does this ramping up of semiconductor capabilities mean for the world?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Vijay Gokhale joins Srinath Raghavan to discuss the recent developments in the Indo-Pacific. What is the significance of China’s actions, and how are they being perceived by other countries in the region? What are the implications of the growing U.S.-China competition in the Indo-Pacific? And finally, how are India-China relations being impacted by a deepening partnership between Russia and China?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Radhika Pandey joins Suyash Rai to analyze why India and other major economies are experiencing high inflation, the measures that have been taken to control inflation, the expected impact of these measures on economic growth, and the future course of action.

In this episode of Interpreting India, Sachin Chaturvedi joins Deep Pal to analyze what India’s G7 invite signifies amid a contentious geopolitical environment. How do the G7 countries perceive India? How can India partner with the G7 in achieving climate neutrality and green transition? What are the key takeaways of India’s participation in the Summit, and what relevance does this hold for India’s G20 presidency in 2023?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Harsh Vardhan joins Anirudh Burman to help unpack India's commodity markets. How have they developed over the last decade? How do agricultural markets benefit from them? And, what does all this mean for the Indian economy?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Meera Srinivasan joins Shibani Mehta to look at Sri Lanka's ongoing economic crisis, its worst since the country gained independence in 1948. Why did Sri Lanka default on its debt? Were the signs of misgovernance visible long before the crisis struck? What political cost does it impose on the people?

In this episode, Narayan Prasad Nagendra joins Konark Bhandari to discuss some of the key developments in India’s space sector. How close are we to seeing the next SpaceX of Indian origin? What is on the wish list for private space companies in India?

In this episode, Jahnavi Phalkey joins Shibani Mehta to discuss the history of India's Nuclear program. What is the relationship between science, the state, and nationhood in India? What does the history of the beginnings of nuclear research and education tell us about India’s political ambitions? How did collaborations take place between philanthropists and scientists in early and mid-20th century India? Does popular media and culture influence the relationship between the scholar and the public?

In this episode, Tanvi Madan and P.S. Raghavan join Deep Pal to discuss the evolving dynamic between Russia, India, and China, against the background of the war in Ukraine. How do the current developments affect the relationship between these three countries? Specifically, what effect might the war have on India’s close relations with Russia, which has moved closer to China? How might India’s principle of strategic autonomy in foreign policy be affected while navigating through an increasingly complicated geopolitical order? And what do the visits of Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, and Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov to India in March 2022 in rapid succession tell us?

In this episode, Naushad Forbes joins Suyash Rai to discuss his recently published book, 'The Struggle and the Promise: Restoring India’s Potential'. The book, written by Naushad Forbes, is a wide-ranging exploration of India’s developmental potential, and the challenges that could impede the realization of that potential.

In this episode, Vijay Gokhale joins Rudra Chaudhuri to take stock of the recent meet between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar. Together, they discuss the significance of Wang Yi’s visit to India, particularly against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. How does the Ukraine crisis shape the Sino-Indian relationship? Separately, what are some of the mechanisms needed to stabilize the relationship between India and China?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Jayita Sarkar joins Shibani Mehta to take a step back and understand the history of the Rohingya Crisis. Who are the Rohingya people? What does their story tell us about Myanmar’s political history? When did the polarization between the communities begin?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Robert Greene joins Priyadarshini D. to explore the use and impact of China’s digital yuan. What's China's motivation behind its e-CNY? How does it work? What are some of the domestic and international implications of its rollout?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Sanjay Gupta joins Konark Bhandari to shed an industry perspective at semiconductor supply chains and India’s potential in the space. Given their rising demand, what have governments across the world been doing to strengthen semiconductor production capability? Where does India fit in? What does the increase in semiconductor capabilities mean for the world?

In this episode, Dmitri Trenin joins Rudra Chaudhuri to discuss the tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Together, they take a closer look at the current impasse and the geopolitics shaping it. What are Moscow’s demands? What has the Biden administration missed? Is there any room for a renewed strategic framework between Russia and the west? Is another Helsinki final act even possible?

In this episode, Arvind Subramanian joins Suyash Rai to discuss the rise and fall of India's economic growth. The pandemic has been costly for the Indian economy, delaying India's journey to prosperity by at least two years. But even before the pandemic, India's economy wasn't necessarily in the best shape. The official GDP estimates show a sharp slowdown since 2017, and investments and exports--the major drivers of growth--have been sluggish through much of the decade preceding the pandemic. How can we assess India's economic growth? Which indicators and factors are the most useful? What are some of the challenges and opportunities that India faces today?

In this episode, Tanvi Ratna joins Priyadarshini to discuss the cryptocurrency space in India. How could a renewed ban on all private cryptocurrencies play out? And finally, what does the global growth of cryptocurrencies indicate for the future of India’s financial system? What sort of investors characterize India’s cryptocurrency space?

In this episode, Deep Pal joins Shibani Mehta to delve deep into China’s influence in South Asia. In recent years, China’s engagement in South Asia has expanded significantly beyond commercial and development projects to encompass political and security interests. While this interaction often targets the needs of specific countries, even states with relatively robust state institutions and civil society struggle to grapple with the implications of China’s expanded footprint. Those without strong governance remain even more vulnerable to external interference in national affairs. China’s meteoric economic rise has resulted in a massive expansion in its international economic aid and development programs. China is thus emerging as an attractive alternative to the established players in the global development space, such as the IMF and the World Bank. However, analysts suggest that development aid is often unsustainable for the host country, creating onerous debt obligations while making only marginal contributions to local employment. How has China's profile as a key economic partner developed in the South Asian region? What impact has China’s economic aid had on its political influence in the region? And finally, how should India respond to China’s economic clout in South Asia?

In this episode, Matthew D. Green joins Udbhav Tiwari to delve into the debate surrounding end-to-end encryption. In February, the Indian government issued new rules requiring companies like WhatsApp to implement traceability in their end-to-end encrypted communications platforms. The decision originated from the government’s concerns about the proliferation of illegal activities on these services, including terrorism, child-abuse, and the spread of fake news. India’s actions come amidst a growing global debate concerning government access to encrypted data. While advocates claim that state access to end-to-end encrypted messages benefits national security, opponents argue that it constitutes a dangerous breach of privacy, while worsening cybersecurity standards. Is it possible to apply traceability without impacting the core benefits of end-to-end encryption? Could India’s adoption of this requirement hamper the cybersecurity of the country? And finally, how will the growing concerns about this system impact the future of encryption technology?

In this episode, Shanthie Mariet D'Souza joins Shibani Mehta to analyze the question of aid and development in a Taliban led Afghanistan. The Western withdrawal from Afghanistan and the ensuing ascent of the Taliban has led to the collapse of the Afghan economy. The foreign aid, crucial towards sustaining the economy, has mostly stopped, resulting in food shortages, a decline in the value of local currency and a collapsing health system. While $1.2 billion has been pledged by international donors, it remains unclear whether this will be sufficient in restoring any semblance of normalcy in Afghanistan. How will aid to Afghanistan be structured after the ascent of the Taliban government? How will India, a key development partner in Afghanistan, approach its aid policy in the wake of the Taliban takeover? And finally, what will this situation mean for the future of Afghanistan’s development?

With the conclusion of the first in-person QUAD leaders’ summit, the 76th Session of the UNGA, the SCO summit, and the AUKUS alliance, the last two weeks have been momentous for world politics. In this episode of Interpreting India, Gautam Bambawale joins Deep Pal to discuss the major foreign policy events of the last two weeks and India’s contribution to them. How will the AUKUS alliance impact the QUAD and India in specific? How will the events of last week determine the international community's response to the Taliban? And finally, what significance do these events hold for the future of Indian foreign policy?

In this episode, Rumi Aijaz joins Anirudh Burman to discuss Delhi’s new Draft Master Plan, 2041. How has it improved upon the shortcomings of the preceding master plans? How does it compare with the planning process across other cities in India?

In this episode of Interpreting India, Avinash Paliwal and Thomas Ruttig join Deep Pal to analyze the present situation in Afghanistan, what the implications of the U.S. withdrawal might be, and what this might mean for India and other countries involved.

In this episode, Rajeswari Sengupta joins Suyash Rai to evaluate the health of India’s financial sector. Together, they assess the impact of the second wave on India's financial sector. What measures can be taken to address some of its main issues? Further, what does the health of the financial sector mean for the broader economy?

Zaha Hassan and Nicolas Blarel join Carnegie India's Shibani Mehta to discuss the Israel-Palestine conflict. On May 10th, a raid on the Al Aqsa mosque by the Israeli police left hundreds of Palestinians injured. This cascaded into a war between Israel and Hamas. The ensuing violence has led to hundreds of casualties. A tenuous ceasefire has for now halted the violence, but it is likely that it will significantly change the dynamics of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Already, several analysts have alleged that the violence marks the death knell for the already fragile peace process and the two-state solution. Other scholars point to the growing embrace of more radical solutions to the conflict in both the Israeli and the Palestinian side. This episode of Interpreting India assesses some of the broader effects of the present conflict. What does it mean for the two-state solution and the peace process? How has the international society and India reacted to the crisis? And finally, what shall be its likely impact on the future of the Arab-Israeli conflict?

Alex Tabarrok joins Anirudh Burman to discuss if the existing law on patents is affecting India’s ability to vaccinate its citizens. As India battles a devastating second wave of Covid-19, many advocate for a waiver of intellectual property rights on coronavirus vaccines. However, some argue that this might be an incomplete solution; on its own, a TRIPS waiver would do little to alleviate the problem. In this episode, we understand the logic behind the proposal for the TRIPS waiver, and what must be done to globally increase vaccine supplies.

In this episode, Srikanth Viswanathan joins Anirudh Burman to assess India's urban governance structures in the face of the second wave of the covid-19 pandemic. In the second wave, states have been given more leeway in handling the pandemic within their borders. How are states and local authorities equipped to manage the situation?

In this episode, Yogendra Kumar joins Deep Pal to analyze the state of the international order. The conclusion of the Cold War in 1991 heralded a new age of peace and prosperity under the leadership of Western powers. Yet, there remain several problems that plague the international system. What can be done to stem the decay of the international order and its constituent multilateral organizations?

Pinaki Chakraborty, Director NIPFP, joins Carnegie India's Suyash Rai to analyze India’s fiscal responses to the pandemic. Together, they assess how India’s fiscal policy to tackle the pandemic has fared so far. What fiscal measures may be taken to boost economic output? What are some of the prominent obstacles likely to hinder these efforts?

What would a cashless India and world look like? Jonathan Dharmapalan joins Carnegie India's Rajesh Bansal to shed light on Central Bank Digital Currencies, which are meant to act as a replacement for cash. Together, they unpack what digital currencies are, and how they could affect the way we transact.

The 2020s began with a deadly pandemic, a contracting economy, precarious geopolitical relations, and a rapidly evolving technological landscape that has accelerated its pace. In season 1 of Interpreting India, Srinath Raghavan and his guests unpacked the factors that led to these seemingly unprecedented circumstances. In season 2, he passes the mic to a new generation of hosts, his colleagues at Carnegie, who will explore the questions that hold the potential to alter India’s trajectory through the coming decade.

Mekhala Krishnamurthy joins Srinath Raghavan to analyze India’s agricultural sector, its markets, and the impact of the new farms laws. Can these laws effectively tackle the main issues prevalent in India’s agrarian economy? Why have these laws stoked so much protest across certain farmer groups? And finally, how shall the agricultural landscape change once these laws are properly implemented?

Tanvi Madan joins Srinath Raghavan to discuss the Biden administration, its composition, and how this might have an effect on U.S.-India relations.

In this episode, Sanjib Baruah joins Srinath Raghavan to unpack the Naga peace negotiations and the recent setbacks. They explore the factors affecting the positions of the various stakeholders. Further, they ask—what shall happen to the peace process going forward if the antagonism between the government and the NSCN (IM) persists?

In this episode Rohit Chandra joins Srinath Raghavan to analyze the evolving relationship between state and capital in India.

Radhika Pandey joins Srinath Raghavan to analyze India's inflation targeting system. They assess how the system has fared since 2015, particularly in the wake of the pandemic.

Anatol Lieven and Rudra Chaudhuri join Srinath Raghavan to analyze the implications of the recent intra-Afghan negotiations. Are the negotiating parties well-poised towards building a peace deal? How has South Asia been involved in this arduous process? And finally, what are the prospects of talks leading to a successful peace deal in Afghanistan?

In this episode, Sushant Singh joins Srinath Raghavan to discuss the latest developments in the Sino-Indian border conflict along the LAC. They analyse the current military positions of both sides and the prospects of conflict.

Professor S. Irudaya Rajan joins Srinath Raghavan as they unpack the issues that plague India's remittance economy. They analyze the coronavirus pandemic's impact on remittance income from a national and regional perspective and try to chart the future of this institution in a post-pandemic world.

Chinmay Tumbe joins Srinath Raghavan as they discuss India’s migrant crisis. They assess its implications on India's domestic and urban labor markets, and what the crisis holds for India's long-standing traditions of internal migration.

In this episode, Srinath Raghavan speaks to Bhargavi Zaveri as they unpack India's Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). They examine how India's existing regulatory framework might fare for bankruptcies arising against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.

Srinath Raghavan is joined by Anit Mukherjee as they discuss India's defense sector. In their conversation, they explore some of the underlying problems plaguing India's defence institutions and the extent to which the government’s recent reforms address these issues.

Srinath Raghavan is joined by Constantino Xavier as they discuss the relationship between India and Nepal. In doing so, they contextualize the recent border tensions that erupted at the Indo-Nepalese border in May 2020.

Four months after the first lockdown, Srinath Raghavan is joined by Pranjul Bhandari as they assess how India's macroeconomic responses have aged through the pandemic.

Srinath Raghavan is joined by Shyam Saran as they discuss the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the Sino-Indian border. They discuss how the LAC impacts and is impacted by the relationship between New Delhi and Beijing.

Srinath Raghavan is joined by Ashley J. Tellis as they discuss the origins and nature of the current Sino-Indian border confrontation. They situate the crisis in the context of broader geopolitical developments and assess its impact on Sino-Indian ties.

To help take stock of India's pandemic strategy, Srinath Raghavan speaks to K. Sujatha Rao. They discuss the impact of India's nationwide lockdown, center-state public health relations, and the way forward.

Srinath Raghavan and Himanshu discuss the state of India’s agrarian economy, agricultural reforms, and the impact of coronavirus on this crucial sector.

Srinath Raghavan is joined by Michael Pettis as they discuss the various facets of the Chinese economy and Beijing’s attempts to set itself on the path to economic recovery post-coronavirus.

As India enters week 8 of its lockdown, the country's economy has reached a grinding halt. To better understand the impact of the pandemic – especially on the labor and household sectors– Srinath Raghavan speaks to Mahesh Vyas about the long-term repercussions of the lockdown on the Indian economy.

Srinath Raghavan speaks to Maja Daruwala, chief editor of the India Justice Report—a first-of-its-kind study— which assesses the state capacity of India’s police force and identifies key areas where reforms are most urgent. The report also focuses on the other three pillars of justice in India, which are the judiciary, prisons and legal aid.