

All Things Policy
Takshashila Institution
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

8 snips
Dec 29, 2025 • 28min
US's Plans To Sell H200 Chips To China
Hosts delve into the chip wars of 2025, focusing on the controversial decision to sell H200 chips to China while the US takes a 25% revenue cut. They discuss the strategic implications of targeting GPUs for AI export controls and explore the dynamics of US-China tech relations. The conversation touches on Jensen Huang's business-political lobbying and the resulting tensions. Additionally, they contemplate the long-term impacts on China's tech ambitions and the potential benefits for India as export controls evolve.

16 snips
Dec 26, 2025 • 18min
Adaptive Tech Strategies amidst U.S.–China tech rivalry
Kashish Parpiani, a policy researcher focused on U.S.-China tech competition, dives into the evolving landscape of global technology strategies. He discusses the shift from binary choices to adaptive strategies, emphasizing regulatory alignment and innovation partnerships. The conversation explores diverse national responses to tech compliance, highlighting Gulf states' pivot to U.S. tech. Parpiani also evaluates the implications of the Pax Silica initiative for supply-chain resilience and advocates for capability development among middle powers like India.

Dec 24, 2025 • 50min
India's Innovation Paradox
Join Swati Joshi and Arindam Goswami in this episode of All Things Policy, where we discuss some uncomfortable truths about India's innovation ecosystem.Here's a number that should make every Indian policymaker lose sleep: In 1993, India and China spent the exact same amount on research and development as a share of their economies - 0.6% of GDP. Fast forward to today. China is at 2.6%. India? Still stuck at 0.6%.Here's another one: Nvidia, a single company ranked 26th globally in R&D spending, invests nearly as much in research as ALL of the Indian industry combined. Today, we're asking the hard questions: Why has India's innovation system remained frozen for 80 years while our economy liberalised? What stops our profitable, world-class companies from investing in R&D? Are we measuring innovation completely wrong? And most importantly - what would bold reform actually look like?And to help us in understanding all of this data, we have the "Handbook on Technology and Innovation in India" brought out by the Centre for Technology, Innovation and Economic Research - it is a treasure trove of data that reveals some uncomfortable truths about India's innovation ecosystem.And to discuss all of this, we have today with us, Swati Joshi, who is a Senior Research Associate at CTIER. She has worked on this report, and has deep knowledge and insights about the innovation and R&D ecosystem in India.The CTIER Handbook can be found here: CTIERHandbook-2025CTIER Handbook: https://ctier.org/ctier-handbook/CTIER Innovation report: https://ctier.org/ctier-innovation-report/Deeptech in India: What can the state do? https://ctier.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Deeptech-Essay_10Oct25.pdfDefence and Space innovation in India: https://ctier.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Research_Article8.pdfPublic Procurement of Innovationhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S004873331200220Xhttps://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-642-40258-6a more recent paper making a similar argument: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167718725000244Someone interested in the practitioner side of PPI, the EU's guidelines on PPI https://single-market-economy.ec.europa.eu/single-market/public-procurement/strategic-procurement/public-procurement-innovation_enOECD (2017), Public Procurement for Innovation: Good Practices and Strategies, OECD Public Governance Reviews, OECD Publishing, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/9789264265820-enTalent pipeline for the future: https://www.youtube.com/live/lBfx2FZbR4E?si=Pxpw3TOAz5mT5h2NApple in China: https://www.amazon.in/Apple-China-Capture-Greatest-Company/dp/1668053373Naushad's book, the struggle and the promise: https://harpercollins.co.in/product/the-struggle-and-the-promise/

Dec 23, 2025 • 26min
AI in India’s Defence Strategy
AI in warfare is not about robots taking over the battlefield. It is about decision advantage, geospatial intelligence, and operational readiness. In this episode, Lt Gen Karanbir Singh Brar (Retd.) explains how India is deploying AI across borders, space, and logistics -- why humans must remain in the loop, how ethics shape military AI, and what Atma Nirbharta means for the full defence AI stack. The conversation also highlights the critical role of startups and young scientists in building an India-centric approach to modern warfare.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

Dec 22, 2025 • 44min
When India Ages: The Policies We Need Today
Leah Govias speaks with Malathi Renati to examine India’s demographic transition and what it means for senior citizens. The discussion explores elder welfare laws, healthcare access, the expanding silver economy, and the erosion of traditional family support systems. Framed through the Samaaj–Sarkaar–Bazaar lens, this conversation asks a critical question: how do we ensure that longer lives also mean lives lived with dignity?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

Dec 19, 2025 • 35min
Rebuilding the First Responders
In this episode of All Things Policy, Astha Rastogi talks to forensic science researcher and trainer Devina Sikdar about what really happens at crime scenes in India—and why it matters more than most people realise. With a new national mandate demanding better forensic response, the two discuss the gaps, the urgency, and the solutions that could reshape how India investigates crime.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

Dec 18, 2025 • 20min
Burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs)
Non-communicable diseases (or NCDs) account for nearly two-thirds of the world’s total mortality and morbidity, led by ischaemic heart disease, stroke and diabetes, according to the latest Global Burden of Disease (GBD) report. Globally in 2021, 18 million people died from an NCD before age 70 years. From the period 2021-23, NCDs were responsible for about 56.7 percent of all deaths in India. To help unpack some of the economic impacts of NCDs, particularly the high out-of-pocket expenditures it incurs, Kripa Koshy (Staff Programme Manager, Takshashila) is joined by Merlyn Paul, a PGP graduate and co-founder of Samaagrith, a consulting organisation that aims to make the social impact journey easier.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

Dec 17, 2025 • 31min
Clean Tech in China's Decarbonisation Journey
China recently released its 2035 NDC targets and the Recommendations of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for Formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan. These documents are key to understanding the future direction of renewable energy deployment in China. In this episode of All Things Policy, Bhumika Sevkani, Research Analyst at the Takshashila Institution, is joined by Belinda Schäpe, China Policy Analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA). Drawing from China’s policy announcements, the conversation explores which clean energy technologies are likely to see accelerated deployment, while also examining the role of renewable energy trade in China’s economic development and climate 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/research-areasCheck out our public policy courses here: https://school.takshashila.org.in

Dec 16, 2025 • 40min
Balochistan: History, Insurgency, and Politics
In this episode of All Things Policy, host Aishwaria Sonavane explores Balochistan, Pakistan’s largest province, where history, insurgency, and great-power politics intersect. Joined by Prashant Singh, the conversation traces Baloch grievances from the accession of Kalat to the present-day insurgency, examines the impact of CPEC and external strategic interests, and assesses how regional geopolitics and porous borders are reshaping the conflict. 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

Dec 15, 2025 • 29min
The New Labour Codes: What Really Changes Now?
In this episode of All Things Policy, Sowmya Prabhakar and Anisree Suresh sit down to unpack the new Labour Codes. In this conversation, they explore the new provisions, the challenges and reforms with the implementation of the new labour codes. 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


