Interpreting India

Jul 21/2021

Karl Mehta highlights the critical role of trustworthy tech supply chains and the necessity for international collaboration among partner nations. Mehta examines the potential of India’s national AI mission and the growing space tech ecosystem, including opportunities for lower-cost payload launches and downstream activities. This episode provides an overview of the strategic integration of advanced[...]
India, a continent-sized country, exhibits profound regional economic disparities, with some regions having economic outputs comparable to upper-middle-income countries, while others resemble the impoverished regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Dore discusses how these disparities affect development and the importance of focusing on regional nuances to foster equitable growth across India. The book provides a deep dive[...]
In the realm of space exploration, there's a growing focus on extracting resources from celestial bodies like the Moon and asteroids. This calls for a strong governance framework to ensure responsible and sustainable practices. International laws such as the Outer Space Treaty and the Moon Agreement provide the foundation, while initiatives like the Artemis Accords[...]
The recent war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Middle East have provided valuable lessons when it comes to the nature of future military modernisation and defense innovation. While traditional warfare remains relevant, we are seeing a shift towards multi-domain operations that are more kinetic and are increasingly utilizing autonomous weapons. As India seeks[...]
South Asia is a region of remarkable diversity, encompassing countries such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Afghanistan, and Myanmar. Typically, India has been considered the power most capable of exercising its influence in the region. Yet, in recent years, there has been another power that has laid claim to South Asia as[...]
One of the guiding norms that has shaped the internet over the last few decades is that of online free speech. This norm is protected in many countries by exempting online platforms and intermediaries from liability for the user-generated content published on these platforms. For example, in India, Section 79 of the IT Act of[...]
In this episode of Interpreting India, we delve into the often-overlooked history of India's early relationship with China. Author Vijay Gokhale former Indian Foreign Secretary, takes us back to the 1940s and 50s, exploring pivotal moments like India's quick reaction of the People's Republic of China and its involvement in the Taiwan Straits crises. Beyond[...]
India has seen superlative progress in electrical connectivity, achieving 96.7 percent connectivity to the grid as of 2020 from around 67 percent over a decade ago. For context, the electricity sector can be broadly split between generation, transmission, and distribution. Despite recent progress, electrical connectivity is still racked by problems such as irregular supply and[...]
There are similarities between the UN’s efforts to pursue a disarmament strategy for nuclear weapons and the regulation of the military applications of AI. Given the multiple parallel initiatives on this issue, inputs would also have to be gathered from a range of stakeholders already working on the issue, such as the REAIM participants, the[...]
With the onset of winter, severe levels of air pollution have reemerged as a concern in North India. Various factors have been put forth to explain this malaise: stubble burning in farms, vehicular pollution, and pollution due to the construction sector. But even outside of the winter months, the National Capital Region maintains poor air[...]
The last publicly available nation-wide caste census in India was conducted in 1931. Now, a state-wide caste census has become available from the government of Bihar. Even though we know the Indian state collects data on a variety of markers and indicators, whether socioeconomic or health-related, there seems to be a reluctance when it comes[...]
One of the most visible signs of India’s economic development in the past seventy-five years has been the growth of its cities. Some of them are now among the largest on the planet, both in terms of area and population. However, Indian cities are far from perfect. They’re often not well planned, coping with problems[...]
The U.S.-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology (iCET) was launched during the Quad Summit in Tokyo in May 2022. The purpose of the iCET was to expand partnerships in critical and emerging technologies, including semiconductors. As part of the iCET, the Semiconductor Industry Association and India Electronics and Semiconductor Association agreed to undertake a “readiness[...]
Even though India and France have had a strategic partnership for twenty-five years now, the bilateral relationship between these countries has received substantial impetus recently. The relationship spans common interests in the Indian Ocean Region and the Indo-Pacific, a robust military and defense partnership, cooperation in high-tech areas such as space and nuclear, and, of[...]
In the last decade, there has been a growing convergence of global powers in the Indo-Pacific, evident from the proliferation of multilateral initiatives in the region. It has also emerged as an arena for geopolitical competition between China and the United States. As the competition intensifies, how does China see the Indo-Pacific? How has Beijing's[...]
The past week has been momentous for those awaiting the enactment of a legal framework for data protection in India. India’s parliament passed the Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023, and the law has now also received the assent of the President of India. This law has been enacted after multiple rounds of deliberations and[...]
The role of the private sector in facilitating the climate transition journey of our world has been much talked about recently. While many corporations, including those in the fossil fuel sectors, have started drafting out their own journeys to “net zero,” Ajay Banga, the newly appointed president of the World Bank, has also emphasized the[...]
Defense cooperation is central to the India-U.S. partnership, and it has served as a key enabler for stronger collaboration at the multilateral level. While defense ties between the two countries have gone from strength to strength over the last two decades, defense-industrial cooperation has notably failed to take off thus far. However, of late, the[...]
In recent years, international indices and rankings such as the Democracy Index and the V-Dem Index have downgraded India’s democracy. Although there are significant differences in the degrees of downgrading, most major indices suggest that Indian democracy is backsliding.Meanwhile, India is witnessing an increase in voter turnout, and people continue to participate actively and vociferously in[...]
The Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Act was introduced in 2016 to protect consumers who had invested in residential real estate projects from malpractices by real estate developers. After the law was passed, most states established real estate regulatory authorities to register and oversee the conduct of real estate developers. What changes did this act try[...]
The iCET was launched on the sidelines of the Quad Summit in Tokyo in May 2022. Both U.S. President Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the launch of this initiative, which was to be spearheaded by the National Security Councils of the two countries to expand partnership in critical and emerging technologies. Is[...]
The 17th Lok Sabha has seventy-eight women MPs, the highest since independence. Has the increase in women’s participation been meaningful? What narratives of equality and citizenship have framed the issue of electoral representation? Do women MPs carry the burden of shifting welfare policy in a gender-sensitive direction? In this episode of Interpreting India, Shirin Rai joins[...]
Climate finance and technology is one of India’s priorities as part of its ongoing G20 presidency. Financing the climate transition of developing countries and the Global South is a complex but critical issue, as is the development, transfer, and sharing of critical climate technologies. What should India’s climate finance and technology strategy be? What role[...]
India’s development has not been uniform and has leapfrogged from agriculture to services, skipping over a manufacturing phase. However, the agriculture and services sectors typically do not create enough productive jobs for those at the bottom of the education and skills ladder. Thus, there is a need for labor-intensive manufacturing to absorb those with low[...]
Recently, there have been certain key developments in India's space sector. There are questions that need to be probed for a better understanding of the country's space sector. What does it take to set up a successful space company? What should be made of the space sector reforms unveiled three years ago? How does the[...]
The relationship between India and Germany doesn’t receive as much attention as it deserves. In recent years, however, the bilateral partnership has received a big impetus, both economically and geopolitically. India and Germany have had a strategic partnership since 2001, but have recently also embarked on a Green Strategic Partnership for green and sustainable development.[...]
A major puzzle for the Indian economy in the last one decade has been the weak performance in the textiles and apparel sectors. In real terms, the apparels sector has grown marginally and the textiles sector has witnessed a decline. India’s share in world trade in textiles and apparels has also declined considerably. Between the[...]
In accordance with the G20 presidency conversations, one of the key conversations that has been missing from the main discourse has been the relationship between Brazil and India. Brazil will be taking over the G20 presidency from India. Therefore, it is imperative that these two countries think about some of the issues around climate finance,[...]
Since their independence from the Soviet Union, the Central Asian countries, namely Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan, have maintained close ties with Moscow. However, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has complicated the relationship. None of the Central Asian countries have expressed support for Russia’s war and are all abiding by the western sanctions imposed on[...]
Over the last three decades, cross-border violence between India and Pakistan has been interspersed with periods of relative peace. Until 2003, ceasefires along the Line of Control and International Border in Jammu and Kashmir (in 1949, 1965, and 1971) were preceded by war between India and Pakistan. On the night of November 23, 2003, an[...]
India’s patterns of urban growth came under sharp focus during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many highlighted the poor quality of urban services as contributors to the spread of the same. The pandemic laid bare many pre-existing deficiencies in urban governance that have continued to plague India’s urban areas.As India continues to grow and urbanize, the municipal[...]
Welcome to a new season of Interpreting India! Last year, amid the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic, precarious geopolitical relations, and a rapidly evolving technological landscape, the second season of Interpreting India explored the many challenges and opportunities that India will confront in the coming decade. This year as well, we at Carnegie India will[...]
2022 has been a year of geopolitical conflict and tensions. If we were expecting a quieter end to the year, then we were apparently mistaken. On December 9, Chinese and Indian troops had a face-off along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the Tawang sector of Arunachal Pradesh. While we don’t have many details[...]
How far has India come since independence, and where is it going? What are the opportunities and challenges it has witnessed in the past, and what all awaits it in the near future? In this episode, Suyash Rai invites his colleagues who have previously hosted episodes of Interpreting India to share insights from their work.[...]
Collaborative technologies like blockchain promise the ability to improve business processes between entities in any domain, radically lowering the "cost of trust." Sarang Bhoyar joins Priyadarshini D. to discuss the adoption and limitations of blockchain in the Indian context.--Episode ContributorsSarang Bhoyar is currently the head of blockchain (Centre of Excellence) at the National Payments Corporation[...]
The Indo-Pacific has emerged as a region of great significance. China is cementing its strategic presence in the region with a push toward financing infrastructure, announcements of alternative security and development mechanisms, and security pacts, most recently, with the Solomon Islands. Meanwhile, the United States remains preoccupied with its various priorities including the war in[...]
Ever since its adoption in October 2000, the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda has emerged as the landmark global framework promoting women’s participation in conflict resolution and achieving sustainable peace. Through its four pillars, participation, conflict prevention, protection, and relief and recovery, the WPS agenda aims to provide a holistic approach to international security.[...]
Lately, Turkey’s actions have come into the limelight. It notably delayed Sweden's and Finland’s memberships in NATO in exchange for fulfilling its own security demands. Meanwhile, it continues to supply drones and other weapons to Ukraine to resist Russian aggression while maintaining its relationship with Moscow at the same time. Turkey has further been involved[...]
Today, semiconductors are ubiquitous—whether it’s the device on which you’re streaming this episode, the drive assist or safety features of a car, or aerospace and defense equipment. In the last couple of years there has been a dearth of semiconductor supply. The semiconductor shortage today can be attributed to supply chain disruptions and several geopolitical[...]
Over the last few months, the Indo-Pacific has seen a flurry of activity. China launched the Global Security Initiative and its foreign minister Wang Yi embarked on a tour of the Pacific Islands. More significantly, Beijing inked a security agreement with the Solomon Islands that sent shockwaves across the region. Around the same time, the[...]
In this episode of Interpreting India, Radhika Pandey joins Suyash Rai to analyze why India and other major economies are experiencing high inflation, the measures that have been taken to control inflation, the expected impact of these measures on economic growth, and the future course of action.Episode ContributorsRadhika Pandey is a Senior Fellow at the[...]
The Group of Seven or G7, an informal forum of leading industrial nations, comprising of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Japan, and Canada, hosted its 48th Summit on June 26-28 in Germany. The Summit, which aims to coordinate global policy, has come at a time when countries across the globe are[...]
In December 2021, the Securities and Exchange Board of India, which also regulates commodity markets, issued directions banning new derivative contracts in seven agricultural commodities. This ban covered more than 70 percent of the traded volumes in the Indian agricultural commodity futures market. What were the reasons for this sudden move, and what repercussions did this[...]
Meera Srinivasan, talking about the Sri Lankan government’s lack of planning to deal with an impending economic disaster, reported, “Hospitals are putting off surgeries without enough medical supplies, ink and newsprint shortages have forced newspapers to suspend editions, and schools have postponed term exams because there is no paper to print the questions.” Moreover, Sri[...]
In this episode, Narayan Prasad Nagendra joins Konark Bhandari to discuss the key developments in India’s space sector. India's space program has been widely recognized for its ability to produce cost effective space technology. This has slowly driven down the costs of missions, including orbital missions, lunar missions, and even Martian missions. However, these endeavors[...]
Formal decolonization of India came two years after the terrific demonstration of the power of the atom in a volatile international order. The arrival of the nuclear age, with the departure of the British presented Indian physicists a unique opportunity to take a capable decision on the nuclear question in a new country. In this episode[...]
In this episode, Tanvi Madan and P.S. Raghavan join Deep Pal to discuss the evolving dynamic between Russia, India, and China, against the background of the war in Ukraine. The concept of a tripartite alliance between Russia, China, and India was first proposed by then-Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov in 1998, and Moscow has been working[...]
In this episode, Naushad Forbes joins Suyash Rai to discuss his recently published book, 'The Struggle and the Promise: Restoring India’s Potential'. The book, written by Naushad Forbes, is a wide-ranging exploration of India’s developmental potential, and the challenges that could impede the realization of that potential.Naushad Forbes is the co-chairman of Forbes Marshall, India's[...]
In this episode, Vijay Gokhale joins Rudra Chaudhuri to take stock of the recent meet between Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and the External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar. Together, they discuss the significance of Wang Yi’s visit to India, particularly against the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine crisis. How does the Ukraine crisis[...]
In this episode of Interpreting India, Jayita Sarkar joins Shibani Mehta to take a step back and understand the history of the Rohingya Crisis. Who are the Rohingya people? What does their story tell us about Myanmar’s political history? When did the polarization between the communities begin?In Myanmar, the Rohingya people have been subjected to decades of[...]
In this episode of Interpreting India, Robert Greene joins Priyadarshini D. to explore the use and impact of China’s digital yuan. What's China's motivation behind its e-CNY? How does it work? What are some of the domestic and international implications of its rollout? The digital yuan is a centralized, cash-like digital currency. The People’s Bank of[...]
In this episode of Interpreting India, Sanjay Gupta joins Konark Bhandari to shed an industry perspective at semiconductor supply chains and India’s potential in the space. Today, semiconductors are used everywhere. Whether it’s the device on which you’re streaming this episode, the drive assist or safety features of a car, or aerospace and defense equipment—semiconductors are[...]
In this episode, Dmitri Trenin joins Rudra Chaudhuri to discuss the tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Together, they take a closer look at the current impasse and the geopolitics shaping it. With more than 100,000 Russian troops stationed near Ukraine's northern and eastern borders, the situation between Russia and Ukraine is getting more tense. The United[...]
In this episode, Arvind Subramanian joins Suyash Rai to discuss the rise and fall of India's economic growth. The pandemic has been costly for the Indian economy, delaying India's journey to prosperity by at least two years. But even before the pandemic, India's economy wasn't necessarily in the best shape. The official GDP estimates show[...]
In this episode, Tanvi Ratna, CEO of Policy 4.0, joins Priyadarshini, Associate Fellow, Carnegie India, to discuss the cryptocurrency space in India. World over, cryptocurrencies have reached a market capitalization of more than 2.5 trillion dollars in a little over a decade, since Satoshi Nakamoto--the person(s) who remain anonymous to this day--released the white paper[...]
In this episode, Deep Pal joins Shibani Mehta to delve deep into China’s influence in South Asia. In recent years, China’s engagement in South Asia has expanded significantly beyond commercial and development projects to encompass political and security interests. While this interaction often targets the needs of specific countries, even states with relatively robust state[...]
In this episode, Matthew D. Green joins Udbhav Tiwari to delve into the debate surrounding end-to-end encryption. In February, the Indian government issued new rules requiring companies like WhatsApp to implement traceability in their end-to-end encrypted communications platforms. The decision originated from the government’s concerns about the proliferation of illegal activities on these services, including[...]
In this episode, Shanthie Mariet D'Souza joins Shibani Mehta to analyze the question of aid and development in a Taliban led Afghanistan. The Western withdrawal from Afghanistan and the ensuing ascent of the Taliban has led to the collapse of the Afghan economy. The foreign aid, crucial towards sustaining the economy, has mostly stopped, resulting[...]
With the conclusion of the first in-person QUAD leaders’ summit, the 76th Session of the UNGA, the SCO summit, and the AUKUS alliance, the last two weeks have been momentous for world politics. In this episode of Interpreting India, Gautam Bambawale joins Deep Pal to discuss the major foreign policy events of the last two[...]
In this episode, Rumi Aijaz joins Anirudh Burman to discuss Delhi’s new Draft Master Plan, 2041. How has it improved upon the shortcomings of the preceding master plans? How does it compare with the planning process across other cities in India? In July, the Delhi Development Authority released the draft Master Plan 2041, making it[...]
In this episode of Interpreting India, Avinash Paliwal and Thomas Ruttig join Deep Pal to analyze the present situation in Afghanistan, what the implications of the U.S. withdrawal might be, and what this might mean for India and other countries involved. --Episode Background:The withdrawal of the United States and its NATO allies from Afghanistan has[...]
In this episode, Rajeswari Sengupta joins Suyash Rai to evaluate the health of India’s financial sector. Together, they assess the impact of the second wave on India's financial sector. What measures can be taken to address some of its main issues? And finally, what does the health of the financial sector mean for the broader[...]
Zaha Hassan and Nicolas Blarel join Carnegie India's Shibani Mehta to discuss the Israel-Palestine conflict. On May 10th, a raid on the Al Aqsa mosque by the Israeli police left hundreds of Palestinians injured. This cascaded into a war between Israel and Hamas. The ensuing violence has led to hundreds of casualties. A tenuous ceasefire[...]
Alex Tabarrok joins Anirudh Burman to discuss if the existing law on patents is affecting India’s ability to vaccinate its citizens. As India battles a devastating second wave of Covid-19, many advocate for a waiver of intellectual property rights on coronavirus vaccines. However, some argue that this might be an incomplete solution; on its own,[...]
In this episode, Srikanth Viswanathan joins Anirudh Burman to assess India's urban governance structures in the face of the second wave of the covid-19 pandemic. In the second wave, states have been given more leeway in handling the pandemic within their borders. How are states and local authorities equipped to manage the situation? --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSSrikanth[...]
In this episode, Yogendra Kumar joins Deep Pal to analyze the state of the international order. The conclusion of the Cold War in 1991 heralded a new age of peace and prosperity under the leadership of Western powers. Yet, there remain several problems that plague the international system. What can be done to stem the[...]
Pinaki Chakraborty, Director NIPFP, joins Carnegie India's Suyash Rai to analyze India’s fiscal responses to the pandemic. Together, they assess how India’s fiscal policy to tackle the pandemic has fared so far. What fiscal measures may be taken to boost economic output? What are some of the prominent obstacles likely to hinder these efforts?--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSPinaki[...]
What would a cashless India and world look like? Jonathan Dharmapalan joins Carnegie India's Rajesh Bansal to shed light on Central Bank Digital Currencies, which are meant to act as a replacement for cash. Together, they unpack what digital currencies are, and how they could affect the way we transact. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSAs founder and CEO of[...]
Introducing the hosts of Season 2, in the order that they appear on the trailer: Shruti Sharma, Suyash Rai, Anirudh Burman, Shibani Mehta, Rajesh Bansal, and Deep Pal.--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSShruti Sharma is a senior research analyst with the Technology and International Affairs Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. She works primarily on the safety,[...]
Mekhala Krishnamurthy joins Srinath Raghavan to analyze India’s agricultural sector, its markets, and the impact of the new farms laws. Can these laws effectively tackle the main issues prevalent in India’s agrarian economy? Why have these laws stoked so much protest across certain farmer groups? And finally, how shall the agricultural landscape change once these[...]
Tanvi Madan joins Srinath Raghavan to discuss the Biden administration, its composition, and how this might have an effect on U.S.-India relations. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSTanvi Madan is a senior fellow in the Project on International Order and Strategy in the Foreign Policy program, and director of The India Project at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC. Madan’s work[...]
In this episode, Sanjib Baruah joins Srinath Raghavan to unpack the Naga peace negotiations and the recent setbacks. They explore the factors affecting the positions of the various stakeholders. Further, they ask—what shall happen to the peace process going forward, if the antagonism between the government and the NSCN (IM) persists?--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSSanjib Baruah is an[...]
In this episode Rohit Chandra joins Srinath Raghavan to analyze the relationship between state and capital in India. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSRohit Chandra is a political scientist and an economic historian working primarily on energy, infrastructure and state capitalism in India. His recent work has covered the coal and power industries. Over the last decade, he has worked[...]
Radhika Pandey joins Srinath Raghavan to analyze India's inflation targeting system. They assess how the system has fared since 2015, particularly in the wake of the pandemic. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSRadhika Pandey is a Senior Fellow at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy. Prior to this, she taught at the National Law University (Jodhpur). Dr Pandey[...]
Anatol Lieven and Rudra Chaudhuri join Srinath Raghavan to analyze the implications of the recent intra-Afghan negotiations. Are the negotiating parties well-poised towards building a peace deal? How has South Asia been involved in this arduous process? And finally, what are the prospects of talks leading to a successful peace deal in Afghanistan? --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSAnatol[...]
In this episode Sushant Singh joins Srinath Raghavan to discuss the latest developments in the Sino-Indian border conflict along the LAC. They analyse the current military positions of both sides and the prospects of conflict. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSSushant Singh is a Senior Fellow at CPR. He was a lecturer in political science at Yale University (Fall 2019)[...]
Srinath Raghavan is joined by Professor Irudaya Rajan as they discuss India's remittance economy. They analyze the coronavirus pandemic's impact on remittance income from a national and regional perspective and try to chart the future of this institution in a post-pandemic world. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSS. Irudaya Rajan was a Former Professor at the Centre for Development Studies[...]
Chinmay Tumbe joins Srinath Raghavan as they discuss India’s migrant crisis. They assess its implications on India's domestic and urban labor markets, and what the crisis holds for India's long-standing traditions of internal migration. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSChinmay Tumbe is with the Department of Economics at the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIM-A). He holds a Masters[...]
In this episode, Srinath Raghavan speaks to Bhargavi Zaveri as they unpack India's Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC). They examine how India's existing regulatory framework might fare for bankruptcies in the context of the coronavirus pandemic. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSBhargavi Zaveri has been a Senior Researcher at the Finance Research Group (FRG) at the Indira Gandhi Institute of[...]
Srinath Raghavan is joined by Anit Mukherjee as they discuss India's defense sector. In their conversation, they explore some of the underlying problems plaguing India's defence institutions and the extent to which the government’s recent reforms address these issues.--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSAnit Mukherjee is Deputy Head of Graduate Studies, and an Associate Professor in the South Asia[...]
Srinath Raghavan is joined by Constantino Xavier as they discuss the relationship between India and Nepal. In doing so, they contextualize the recent border tensions that erupted at the Indo-Nepalese border in May 2020. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSConstantino Xavier is a Fellow in Foreign Policy and Security Studies at CSEP, and a Non-resident Fellow at the Brookings[...]
Four months after the first lockdown, Srinath Raghavan is joined by Pranjul Bhandari as they assess how India's macroeconomic responses have aged through the pandemic. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSPranjul Bhandari is the Chief India Economist at HSBC Securities & Capital Markets (India) Private Limited. She is responsible for developing the firm's position on macroeconomics and public policy in[...]
Srinath Raghavan is joined by Shyam Saran as they discuss the Line of Actual Control (LAC) on the Sino-Indian border. They look at the way in which the LAC impacts, and is impacted by the relationship between New Delhi and Beijing. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSShyam Saran is a Senior Fellow and Member of the Governing Board at Centre[...]
Srinath Raghavan is joined by Ashley J. Tellis as they discuss the origins and nature of the current Sino-Indian border confrontation. They situate the crisis in the context of broader geopolitical developments and assess its impact on Sino-Indian ties. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSAshley J. Tellis holds the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and is a senior fellow at[...]
To help take stock of India's pandemic strategy, Srinath Raghavan speaks to K. Sujatha Rao. They discuss the impact of India's nationwide lockdown, center-state public health relations, and the way forward. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSK. Sujatha Rao served as Union Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for the government of India until 2010, where she was involved[...]
Srinath Raghavan and Himanshu discuss the state of India’s agrarian economy, agricultural reforms, and the impact of coronavirus on this crucial sector. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSHimanshu is Assistant Professor of Economics at Centre for Study of Regional Development, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He is also visiting fellow at Centre de Sciences Humaines, New[...]
Srinath Raghavan is joined by Michael Pettis as they discuss the various facets of the Chinese economy and Beijing’s attempts to set itself on the path to economic recovery post-coronavirus. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSMichael Pettis is a nonresident senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. An expert on China’s economy, Pettis is professor of finance[...]
As India enters week 8 of its lockdown, the country's economy has reached a grinding halt. To better understand the impact of the pandemic – especially on the labor and household sectors– Srinath Raghavan speaks to Mahesh Vyas about the long-term repercussions of the lockdown on the Indian economy.--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSMahesh Vyas is Managing Director and[...]
Srinath Raghavan speaks to Maja Daruwala, chief editor of the India Justice Report—a first-of-its-kind study— which assesses the state capacity of India’s police force and identifies key areas where reforms are most urgent. The report also focuses on the other three pillars of justice in India, which are the judiciary, prisons and legal aid. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSMaja[...]
Srinath Raghavan and Reetika Khera discuss the impact of India's "triple crisis" - health, economic, and humanitarian crises - stemming from the rampant coronavirus pandemic, and the way forward for India. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSReetika Khera is an associate professor of economics at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi. In the past, she has taught at the[...]
Srinath Raghavan is joined by Evan Feigenbaum to discuss how the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated the geopolitical and economic competition between the US and China and their prospects for cooperation. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSEvan A. Feigenbaum is vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where he oversees research in Washington, Beijing, and New Delhi[...]
Srinath Raghavan is joined by Ananth Krishnan to discuss the trajectory of COVID19 in China, Beijing’s strategy to contain the virus, and the lessons India can learn from China in its own fight against the pandemic. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSAnanth Krishnan was a Visiting Fellow at Brookings India. Previously, he was China Bureau Chief and Associate Editor for[...]
Srinath Raghavan is joined by Anirudh Burman as they discuss how different countries are leveraging data in their fight against COVID19, India’s approach, and what privacy means in a world engulfed by a pandemic.--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSAnirudh Burman is an associate research director and fellow at Carnegie India. He works on key issues relating to public institutions,[...]
Rudra Chaudhuri joins Srinath Raghavan as they talk about the global nature of the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on world politics. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSRudra Chaudhuri is the director of Carnegie India. His primary research focuses on the diplomatic history of South Asia and contemporary security issues. He is currently writing a book on the global history[...]
Srinath Raghavan and Suyash Rai discuss the grave social and economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic on financial markets and its consequences for India.--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSSuyash Rai is a deputy director and fellow at Carnegie India. His research focuses on the political economy of economic reforms, and the performance of public institutions in India. His current[...]
Guest host, Anirudh Burman and Suyash Rai analyze the impact and implications of the Union Budget 2020 on the Indian economic landscape. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSSuyash Rai is a deputy director and fellow at Carnegie India. His research focuses on the political economy of economic reforms, and the performance of public institutions in India. His current research looks[...]
Tanvi Madan, in conversation with Srinath Raghavan, discusses the dynamic India-US-China trilateral relationship and how China shaped India-US relations during the Cold War.--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSTanvi Madan is a senior fellow in the Project on International Order and Strategy in the Foreign Policy program, and director of The India Project at the Brookings Institution in Washington, DC. Madan’s[...]
Srinath Raghavan speaks to Sopnendu Mohanty and Philip Von Restorff about the emerging fintech space and the suitable regulatory and policy approaches to it. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSSopnendu Mohanty is responsible for creating development strategies and regulatory policies around technology innovation to “better manage risks, enhance efficiency and strengthen competitiveness in the financial sector”. Prior to joining MAS,[...]
Chinmayi Arun and Matt Sheehan breakdown the applications of AI and the ethical debates surrounding its use.--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSMatt Sheehan is a fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, where his research focuses on global technology issues, with a specialization in China’s artificial intelligence ecosystem.Chinmayi Arun has served on the faculties of two of the[...]
In a special episode recorded at the Global Technology Summit 2019, guest host, Rudra Chaudhuri speaks to François Godement and Ralf Sauer about the global debates on issues of data privacy and data protection, EU's approach to data sovereignty, and the implications of India's personal data protection bill.--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSRudra Chaudhuri is the director of Carnegie[...]
Anirudh Burman and Srinath Raghavan discuss the implications of India's draft personal data protection bill. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSAnirudh Burman is an associate research director and fellow at Carnegie India. He works on key issues relating to public institutions, public administration, the administrative and regulatory state, and state capacity. He has also worked extensively on financial regulation and[...]
Srinath Raghavan and William J. Burns highlight the importance of diplomacy in an increasingly tumultuous world and evolving India-US relations.--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSWilliam J. Burns was president of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the oldest international affairs think tank in the United States. Ambassador Burns retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2014 after a thirty-three-year[...]
Suyash Rai, in conversation with Srinath Raghavan, provides a comprehensive analysis of the opportunities and challenges for India's financial sector.--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSSuyash Rai is a deputy director and fellow at Carnegie India. His research focuses on the political economy of economic reforms, and the performance of public institutions in India. His current research looks at the[...]
Rajat Kathuria and Srinath Raghavan analyze the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and India's approach to the multilateral organization. --EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSRajat Kathuria is Senior Visiting Professor, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), New Delhi. Between September 2012 – March 2021, he served as Director and Chief Executive at ICRIER. He is the Dean,[...]
Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan and Srinath Raghavan discuss areas for competition, cooperation, and governance in the space domain.--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSDr Rajeswari (Raji) Pillai Rajagopalan is the Director of the Centre for Security, Strategy and Technology at the Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi. Dr Rajagopalan was the Technical Advisor to the United Nations Group of Governmental Experts on[...]
As India and China mark 70 years of diplomatic ties, Srinath Raghavan speaks to Shivshankar Menon about the shared history, culture, and future of the bilateral relationship between the two neighbors.--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSShivshankar Menon was a distinguished fellow with Brookings India, and is currently a distinguished fellow with the Centre for Social and Economic Progress.Srinath Raghavan[...]
Srinath Raghavan and Indira Rajaraman discuss India's 2019-2020 Union Budget, the ongoing U.S.-China trade war, and the slowing global economy.--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSIndira Rajaraman was a Member of the Thirteenth Finance Commission. From 1994 until her retirement in 2007 she held the Reserve Bank of India Chair at the National Institute of Public Finance and Policy, Delhi,[...]
Vipin Narang joins Srinath Raghavan sits to discuss India's evolving nuclear strategy and the impact of nuclear weapons around the world.--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSVipin Narang is a nonresident scholar in the Nuclear Policy Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. He is the Frank Stanton Professor of Nuclear Security and Political Science at the Massachusetts Institute[...]
Srinath Raghavan sits down with Nandan Nilekani to discuss the future of globalization, data empowerment, and the role of technology on society in India and around the world.--EPISODE CONTRIBUTORSNandan Nilekani is an Indian software entrepreneur. He is currently the co-chairman and co-founder of Infosys Technologies Ltd. In 2004, Nilekani was awarded the Padma Bhushan, the[...]
Interpreting India debuts August 15. For the inaugural episode, Srinath Raghavan talks to Nandan Nilekani about the economy, data privacy, and India's role in an increasingly globalized world. Every two weeks, Interpreting India brings you diverse voices from India and around the world to explore the critical questions shaping the nation's future. We delve into[...]

In Season 4 of Interpreting India, we continue our exploration of the dynamic forces that will shape India’s global standing. At Carnegie India, our diverse lineup of experts will host critical discussions at the intersection of technology, the economy, and international security. Join us as we navigate the complexities of geopolitical shifts and rapid technological advancements. This season promises insightful conversations and fresh perspectives on the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

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