

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

Oct 16, 2025 • 38min
China is Making China+1 A Reality
In this episode of 'All Things Policy', Shobhankita Reddy speaks to Anushka Saxena on China's latest export restrictions on rare earth elements and magnets, and what it says about China's perception of leverage in its technological competition with the US. They also dive deep into the context of China's rare earth supply chain dominance, and whether in the long term, the restrictions harm or aid its interests. Shobhankita also sheds light on India's options in the face of these restrictions.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

Oct 15, 2025 • 25min
US Government Shutdown: Causes, Issues and Resolution Scenarios
In this episode of All Things Policy podcast, Swathi Kalyani is in conversation with Abhishek Kadiyala to discuss the ongoing U.S. government shutdown. A U.S. government shutdown occurs when the Congress fails to pass appropriation bills that allocate funding to various government agencies before October 1 each year.This year, the shutdown has resulted from disagreements over the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium subsidies and Medicare funding cuts introduced by the Trump administration. An overarching issue is also the Trump administration’s impoundment of appropriated funds with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and USAID cuts. Republicans are calling for a “clean” Continuing Resolution that excludes healthcare provisions for future negotiations, while Democrats reject any resolution that omits healthcare funding, as the shutdown is set to enter its third week.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

Oct 14, 2025 • 25min
Increasing India's R&D Spending: PGP Students Weigh In
India's gross expenditure on research and development (GERD) is approximately 0.6%- 0.7% of its GDP and has remained relatively stagnant over the last 20 years. Its relatively low R&D spending contributes to India's lag in innovation and adoption of advanced technologies, which in turn slows technological adoption and weakens its global competitiveness. What could be some possible policy solutions for this challenge? Meher and Rohan, students from Takshashila's Post Graduate Programme in Public Policy, weigh in and propose the development of what they and their cohortmates call Bharat AVISHKAAR Yojana (Advancing Vigyan, Innovation, Skill-development, Human Capital, Knowledge-economy, and Advanced Research). 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

Oct 13, 2025 • 18min
The Future of Nepal
Nepal is navigating a critical phase of political transition, economic reform, and evolving regional dynamics. In this episode of All Things Policy, Wini Fred Gurung speaks with Professor S. D. Muni, Professor Emeritus at Jawaharlal Nehru University and India’s former Special Envoy to Southeast Asian countries, to discuss these developments and what the future holds for Nepal.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

Oct 10, 2025 • 33min
India's Grand Strategy Towards Pakistan
Aishwaria Sonavane, a researcher in Pakistan Studies at the Takshashila Institution, provides an insightful analysis of India's grand strategy toward Pakistan. She discusses the continuity of India's approach since the 1990s, focusing on limiting Pakistan's ability to disrupt India's growth. Key points include the economic reforms boosting defense spending, tactical military responses, and framing Pakistan's military-jihadi complex. Aishwaria highlights the importance of backchannels for crisis management and the challenges posed by Pakistan's resilient military posture.

Oct 9, 2025 • 24min
AI and National Power
In this episode of All Things Policy, Ashwin Prasad and Adya Madhavan explore the connection between artificial intelligence and how it augments and changes different aspects of power. 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

Oct 8, 2025 • 25min
PPPs for India’s Monuments
India is opening core conservation to private participation. In this episode of All Things Policy, Arindam Goswami and Ashwin Prasad break down the rationale, the problems it aims to solve, the guardrails needed to prevent commodification and more. 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

Oct 7, 2025 • 37min
Gender, Data, and Policy
Shreya and Anwesha explore the critical gender data gap that's woven into our policies and systems. They highlight how female-specific data is often overlooked, affecting everything from healthcare to urban design. Surprising examples illustrate the real-world implications, like post-disaster rebuilding biases. They discuss how user-centered design can bridge this gap, along with the need for equitable funding in women's health innovations. The conversation emphasizes the importance of inclusive research and policy that considers diverse experiences.

Oct 6, 2025 • 35min
Unpacking China's AI+ Initiative
In this engaging discussion, Shobhankita Reddy, a high-tech geopolitics researcher at the Takshashila Institution, delves into China's newly unveiled AI+ Initiative. She highlights how this initiative marks a shift from past policies, emphasizing sector integration rather than mere connectivity. Reddy explores the significance of embodied AI in industrial policy, data as a strategic asset, and the ambitious targets set for 2027–2035. She also compares China's approach to the U.S., revealing both responses to external pressures and domestic goals unique to China's vision.

5 snips
Oct 3, 2025 • 42min
The Nuclear Chess Game: Oil Money & Atomic Power
Yusuf Unjhawala, a mechanical engineer and adjunct scholar at Takshashila, dives into a groundbreaking defense pact between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia. This agreement may redefine nuclear deterrence, marking the first time a nuclear state pledges its arsenal to defend a non-nuclear ally. Key discussions include the implications for regional power dynamics, such as India's economic ties with Saudi Arabia, and how perceptions may catalyze arms races. Unjhawala also explores the evolving landscape of nuclear sharing and the potential risks involved for both nations.


