
All Things Policy
Ever wondered how automation will change the world? Maybe you puzzle over what India could do to ease traffic congestion, or how China's aircraft carriers will transform Indian Ocean geopolitics? All Things Policy, a daily podcast brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, brings you all the answers. Every weekday, our researchers break down complex economic and geopolitical ideas through the lens of current events. For everyone from the busy executive to the curious student, All Things Policy is all you'll need to understand the world (and appreciate your breakfast) better.
Latest episodes

Jul 4, 2025 • 35min
India’s Balancing Act: Between Regional Realities and Global Ambitions
In this episode of All Things Policy, Vanshika Saraf is joined by Dr. Chietigj Bajpee, Senior Research Fellow at the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House, London. They discuss how India is managing the intersection between its neighbourhood constraints and its global power aspirations. From India’s recent charm offensive in the international realm to the illusion of regional peace and security, unravel how India is balancing its relationships with both the West and the non-West.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/research-areasCheck out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Jul 3, 2025 • 42min
From Tragedy to Action - Beyond Carlton
In this engaging conversation, Uday Vijayan, Managing Trustee & President of Beyond Carlton, sheds light on fire safety in India, ignited by the tragic Carlton Towers incident. He discusses the cultural apathy towards fire hazards and the pressing need for awareness and training within communities. The chat explores innovative strategies for public safety, the urgent gaps in burn care, and the collective responsibility needed to reform fire safety standards. Uday emphasizes the power of citizen action and collaboration to drive change.

Jul 2, 2025 • 27min
A New SATHI in Battle
In this engaging discussion, Colonel KPM Das, a Jung Fellow with the Takshashila Institution, dives into the groundbreaking yet shelved SATHI handheld battle computer for the Indian Army. He shares insights on its development, purpose, and the lessons learned from the Kargil War. The conversation highlights the potential of Agentic AI and haptic interfaces to innovate military operations. KPM also addresses the challenges faced in military tech and proposes ideas for reviving the project, emphasizing the need for collaboration in modern warfare training.

Jul 1, 2025 • 30min
The Bangalore Bike Taxi Ban
Anupam Manur, a Professor of Economics at the Takshashila Institution, dives into the controversial bike taxi ban in Karnataka. He discusses how the ban reflects governance failures and affects commuters’ access to affordable transport. The conversation highlights the economic fallout, particularly for low-income workers who rely on bike taxis for jobs. Manur critiques the outdated regulations and the disproportionate impact on urban mobility while urging for innovative solutions to balance safety concerns with economic needs.

Jun 30, 2025 • 24min
An Island of Strangers? Why the UK is Pushing Migrants Away
In this episode, Maya Patra and Astha Rastogi break down the UK government's 2025 immigration white paper introduced by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. They discuss how the proposed policies—from extended residency timelines to new restrictions on international students and care workers—reflect a broader shift toward nationalism. What’s at stake as the UK risks becoming less welcoming to immigration and global talent?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/research-areasCheck out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Jun 27, 2025 • 32min
How is China Shaping the Global Weapons Market?
Anushka Saxena, a researcher specializing in defense exports, dives into how China is reshaping the global arms market. She discusses the rise of China's military-industrial complex and its implications for countries like Pakistan and India. The conversation highlights China's non-interference policy in arms sales and advancements in military technology, raising concerns about regional security dynamics. Anushka also explores the strategic threats posed by these exports, particularly how India must respond to maintain its defense capabilities in a changing landscape.

Jun 26, 2025 • 23min
Mapping Health: GeoTech for Better Lives
In this episode of All Things Policy, Swathi Kalyani, research analyst with the Geospatial Programme at the Takshashila Institution and Akhil Siddharth, Part of the Product Team for the Health Campaigns Management platform at eGov Foundation — helping governments in Africa run better vaccine and health campaigns, dive deep into the transformative intersection of geospatial technology and public health delivery across Africa. The conversation explores how spatial data analytics are revolutionising healthcare access and delivery in African nations, making critical services more efficient and equitable. They discuss the growing adoption of geospatial solutions in public health infrastructure, geospatial technology as India's emerging soft power tool and the challenges and opportunities ahead. 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

Jun 25, 2025 • 25min
Mangoes Going Bananas
In this episode of All Things Policy, Anisree Suresh is in conversation with Sowmya Prabhakar to peel the unexpected ban on Thotapuri mango procurement from Karnataka & Tamil Nadu by Chittoor. What actually happened? Is it about quality, pricing, politics or all of these? We invoke all the stakeholders - States, factories & farmers. We also dwell in the dynamics of supply chains and livelihoods. A juicy story, ripe for debate.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

Jun 24, 2025 • 29min
Israel-Iran War Pt.2
Join Yusuf Unjhawala and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where we examine the escalating tensions and military exchanges between Israel and Iran. The Middle East today stands at a dangerous crossroads. In June 2025, the long-simmering shadow conflict between Israel and Iran erupted into open warfare, with Israel launching unprecedented airstrikes deep inside Iran and Tehran responding with a barrage of missiles against Israeli cities and military targets. This dramatic escalation has not only shaken the region but also raised urgent questions about the future of nuclear security, the risk of wider war, and the role of global powers like the United States. As the world watches anxiously, the stakes for regional stability, global security, and the evolving nature of modern warfare have never been higher. In this episode, we break down how we got here, what’s happening on the ground, the strategic calculations on both sides, and what these events mean for the geopolitics of the Middle East and beyond, and for regional stability and international security.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

Jun 23, 2025 • 28min
Israel-Iran War Pt.1
Join Yusuf Unjhawala and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where we examine the escalating tensions and military exchanges between Israel and Iran. The Middle East today stands at a dangerous crossroads. In June 2025, the long-simmering shadow conflict between Israel and Iran erupted into open warfare, with Israel launching unprecedented airstrikes deep inside Iran and Tehran responding with a barrage of missiles against Israeli cities and military targets. This dramatic escalation has not only shaken the region but also raised urgent questions about the future of nuclear security, the risk of wider war, and the role of global powers like the United States. As the world watches anxiously, the stakes for regional stability, global security, and the evolving nature of modern warfare have never been higher. In this episode, we break down how we got here, what’s happening on the ground, the strategic calculations on both sides, and what these events mean for the geopolitics of the Middle East and beyond, and for regional stability and international security.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