All Things Policy

India urgently requires substantial investment in climate adaptation efforts to sustain progress on development. Recognizing the criticality of the impact of climate change for development and growth, India has anchored its adaptation approach within the country’s wider development goals. While the government has endeavoured to finance adaptation initiatives, adaptation investment needs at the national level are large and will increase in the future. In this episode of All Things Policy, Rakshith Shetty quizzes Malini Chakravarty and Aanandita Sikka from Climate Policy Initiative, New Delhi, on their recent report titled Financing Adaptation in India. To access the report, click the link - https://www.climatepolicyinitiative.org/publication/financing-adaptation-in-india/

In this podcast episode, Ms.Shreya Ramakrishnan and Dr.Nithiyanandam discuss recent developments along the India-China border in Arunachal Pradesh, focusing on two specific settlements. Dr. Nithiyananda's recent article in the Takshashila Geospatial Bulletin provides significant insights highlighted in the discussion. The podcast covers geopolitical intricacies, emphasizes the importance of satellite imagery analysis, and discusses the historical progress in the two zones mentioned in the report. To learn more about the research article, visit the Takshashila Geospatial Bulletin website.

In this episode of ATP, Shambhavi Naik and Saurabh Todi discuss the recent completion of the 10,000 Genome Project and the importance of collecting such data for medical research.

Unified Healthcare Interface (UHI) is India’s next digital public infrastructure (DPI), following earlier DPIs in payments (UPI), commerce (ONDC) and credit (OCEN). In this episode, Shrikrishna Upadhyaya speaks to Rhea Singh (Project Lead, ABDM, NHA) and Akhil Siddharth (Project Associate, NHA) from the International Innovation Corps on the potential of UHI, challenges and opportunities. They discuss how UHI will transform the healthcare experience of patients, enable innovation by private players and create new digital governance architecture.

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), steered by India’s National Health Authority (NHA), is building the digital public infrastructure for healthcare in India. It aims to leverage technology to improve healthcare services and delivery in the country by enabling healthcare players to build on the digital foundation. In this episode, Shrikrishna Upadhyaya hosts Surbhi Arul (Associate Director, International Innovation Corps) and Rhea Singh (Project Lead, ABDM, NHA) for a conversation on the building blocks of ABDM, the role of NHA, privacy and risk mitigation and the potential of digital healthcare. Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode belong solely to the individuals and do not represent the views of the organisation(s) they are a part of or associated with.

The roots of China’s space ambitions go back to 1957 when the Soviet Union successfully launched the world’s first artificial satellite, Sputnik-1, into space. That year, Chairman Mao Zedong declared China would also launch its own satellite. With the help of Soviet technology and scientists such as Qian Xuesen, who studied and initially worked in the United States but was deported for allegedly being a communist sympathiser, the country established its space programme. In July 1964, China took its first official step into space, launching and recovering an experimental biological rocket carrying white mice. In this episode of All Things Policy, Rakshith Shetty quizzes Dr Gunjan Singh on China's Space Program. From its historical roots to future ambitions, join us for expert insights and analysis on one of the most exciting frontiers of modern exploration.

Last week, the Union Government liberalised the foreign direct investment (FDI) norms for the space sector and introduced graded automatic route approval for different space sub-sectors. In this episode, Shrikrishna Upadhyaya quizzes Ashwin Prasad on the implications of the government’s move, a brief history of the space reforms in India, and the role the government should play in creating demand for space services in the country. Reading: How private sector can propel a new wave of space revolution in India – Firstpost

Delving into India's recent Agni-5 missile test with MIRV capability and its implications on nuclear competition with China. Exploring the evolution and strategic significance of MIRVs in modern warfare, highlighting their role in shaping global military dynamics. Analyzing India's nuclear doctrine, regional dynamics, and the delicate balance of power between India, China, and Pakistan in the nuclear realm.

A recent advisory by MeitY about the deployment of AI models which has caused a lot of angst and pushback from industry. Satya Sahoo and Bharath Reddy discuss why its hard to put guardrails on gen AI and some of the consequences from the advisory.

Between March 5 and 11, the 'Two Sessions', which is an annual meeting of the National People's Congress and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, has been underway. The 14th NPC and CPPCC have met to discuss the economy, foreign policy, national defence, domestic politics, and more. In this episode of All Things Policy, Anushka Saxena quizzes Manoj Kewalramani on the key deliberations that took place at the 'Two Sessions', and what China's growth agenda looks like for 2024.