

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

May 23, 2025 • 25min
Decoding Operation Sindoor
Aishwaria Sonavane, a researcher in Pakistan studies at the Takshashila Institution, dives into the evolving dynamics of India-Pakistan relations. They discuss how India's military response to terrorism has shifted to more assertive strategies, including deep strikes and drone warfare. Sonavane highlights the risks associated with these changes and the stagnation in diplomatic relations between the two nations. The conversation also touches on the implications of nuclear deterrence and the weaponization of trade and water in this complex geopolitical landscape.

May 22, 2025 • 32min
India-EU: Building the Next Chapter
Garima Mohan, a Senior Fellow at the German Marshall Fund specializing in India's foreign policy, joins the discussion on the evolving India-EU relationship. They delve into the stalled India-EU free trade agreement and the implications of Europe’s response to the Ukraine war. The conversation also examines Germany's new leadership and its impact on strategic collaborations. Moreover, they highlight the importance of defense, investment, and sustainable practices in strengthening ties, all while navigating the intricate geopolitical landscape.

May 21, 2025 • 29min
The Significance of India's Coastline Delineation
Vice Admiral S K Jha, former Chief Hydrographer of India, discusses the dramatic increase in India's coastline from 7516 km to 11098 km. He emphasizes how accurate coastline measurement is vital for maritime security and resolving territorial disputes. Modern technology like satellite imagery has revolutionized delineation techniques, impacting trade and environmental conservation. Jha also underlines the complexities of maritime jurisdiction, stressing the importance of compliance with international regulations for India's economic and security interests.

4 snips
May 20, 2025 • 30min
Understanding the India-UK FTA
Anisree Suresh, a researcher at the Takshashila Institution, and Shikha Tomar, a postgraduate public policy student at the same institution, dive deep into the recently concluded India-UK Free Trade Agreement. They highlight how the FTA enhances consumer choices, lowers prices, and boosts competition across sectors like textiles and luxury vehicles. The conversation explores India's strategic push for trade partnerships globally, while also addressing potential challenges in sensitive sectors. They emphasize the importance of staying informed about trade developments for better economic integration.

May 19, 2025 • 54min
Sky Sentinels: New Frontiers of Drone Warfare
Colonel Vikrant Shinde, a Research Fellow at Takshashila, discusses the transformative role of drones in modern warfare. He highlights the evolution of unmanned aerial systems and their implications for airspace management. The dialogue covers the urgent need for regulatory frameworks balancing innovation and security, particularly in the context of recent India-Pakistan conflicts. Vikrant delves into the strategic challenges of integrating commercial drones with traditional air traffic, and the future of airspace safety amidst growing drone threats.

May 16, 2025 • 48min
When AI Gets Too Smart: Pull the Plug (Or Sabotage First)?
In this episode of All Things Policy, Rijesh Panicker, Bharath Reddy, and Ashwin Prasad discuss the strategic future of humanity with AI, based on the Superintelligence strategy paper. What will the future with AI look like? When might AI achieve critically dangerous capabilities? If one country's AI project threatens global stability, should rivals consider sabotage as a deterrent? How to preserve ultimate human oversight and security? The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-depth range of modules, ensuring students get a well-rounded learning experience. The curriculum is delivered online, punctuated with in-person workshops across India.https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgpAll 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

May 15, 2025 • 43min
India's Overcrowded and Overburdened Prison System
This episode will take a closer look at India’s mechanism to release prisoners, particularly in light of the reality of prison overcrowding and the significant number of people in jail awaiting completion of their trials. According to a Supreme Court estimate, India has over 5.7 lakh prisoners confined in various jails across the country, of which 76% were reported as undertrial prisoners (as of December 2022). In this context, Kripa Koshy (Programme Manager, Takshashila) is joined by Shreehari Paliath (Senior Policy Analyst and Researcher, IndiaSpend) and Leah Verghese (Research Manager, Daksh) as they unpack the challenges around Undertrial Review Committees, legal aid and cash bail schemes that were intended to ease the pressures of overcrowding in Indian prisons.The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-depth range of modules, ensuring students get a well-rounded learning experience. The curriculum is delivered online, punctuated with in-person workshops across India.https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgpAll 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

May 14, 2025 • 25min
Pretty Art, Ugly Footprint: Building Sustainable AI
Anwesha Sen, a tech policy and AI governance researcher at the Takshashila Institution, joins the discussion to highlight the environmental impact of AI technologies. She delves into the alarming energy demands of data centers, which could consume 10% of global electricity by 2030. The conversation explores the potential of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a sustainable energy source to power growing AI infrastructures. Sen emphasizes the importance of proactive planning and collaborative efforts between sectors to ensure a greener future for AI.

May 13, 2025 • 32min
Publishing in India
Why is it a task to get research and books funded and published? From acquiring agents, preparing manuscripts, approaching publishers and finally marketing the written word. In this episode of All Things Policy, Leah Govias and Kavitha Rao, the writer and journalist and the author of 'Spies, Lies and Allies: The Extraordinary Lives of Chatto and Roy, discuss the process of funding and publishing books and research. The PGP is a comprehensive 48-week hybrid programme tailored for those aiming to delve deep into the theoretical and practical aspects of public policy. This multidisciplinary course offers a broad and in-depth range of modules, ensuring students get a well-rounded learning experience. The curriculum is delivered online, punctuated with in-person workshops across India.https://school.takshashila.org.in/pgpAll 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

May 12, 2025 • 50min
India–US Trade in the Trump 2.0 Era
In this dialogue, Anupam Manur, an international trade expert and economics professor, shares insights on the evolving India-US trade dynamics during Trump's second term. He discusses the potential for significant trade agreements and emphasizes India's eagerness to reduce tariffs. The conversation also touches on the complexities of trade policies, especially how local agricultural interests balance against liberal agreements. Manur highlights the dual nature of trade, exploring the relationship between national sovereignty and economic growth, and the importance of fair trade.