South Asia Chat

Episode 269: India-China Relations: Back from Deep Freeze?

India-China relations have recently seen a positive change as the two countries have successfully disengaged in Depsang and Demchok areas. To further discuss what these developments mean for both countries, Dr Sidharth Raimedhi, Fellow at the Centre for Strategic and Defence Research (CSDR), New Delhi speaks with Ms. Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst at ISAS. 

Episode 268: Trump 2.0: Impact on India-US Relations

Donald Trump’s recent re-election marks a pivotal moment for India-US relations, with his administration likely to influence trade, immigration, and great power dynamics in ways that will have lasting impacts on India. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Kanika Kaur, Research Analyst at ISAS, is joined by Professor C Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor and leading commentator on Indian foreign policy, to discuss what Trump’s second term means for India. They explore the prospects of heightened tariffs on Indian exports, Trump’s stringent immigration policies affecting skilled Indian professionals, and the shifting power balance with China and Russia.

Episode 267: Unpacking the India-Canada Diplomatic Standoff

India-Canada relations have taken a sharp turn in recent months, following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's 2023 allegations of Indian government involvement in the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar. This led to Canada’s request in October 2024 for the removal of diplomatic immunity for six Indian diplomats, sparking a diplomatic standoff. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Raghaw Khattri, Research Analyst at ISAS, speaks with Professor C Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor at ISAS and renowned foreign policy expert. They discuss the unfolding tensions, the impact on bilateral relations, and the broader implications for India’s international diplomacy and domestic politics.

Episode 266: Diplomatic Reboot in India-Maldives Relations

In this episode, Mriganika Singh Tanwar, Research Analyst at ISAS-NUS, speaks with Dr Athaulla Rasheed, former diplomat and foreign service officer with the Maldives Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They discuss the key dynamics of India-Maldives relations, focusing on President Muizzu's official visit to India (6-10 October 2024) aimed at mending bilateral ties and resolving diplomatic misunderstandings. The conversation explores the evolving relationship between the two South Asian nations and what the future may hold.

Episode 265: The Power Sector in Pakistan

The power sector in Pakistan has remained a priority for each successive government and yet it remains in a state of crisis. It continues to be plagued by issues such as frequent power outages, transmission and distribution losses, high subsidies and limited infrastructure. In this episode Saeeduddin Faridi, Research Analyst, ISAS-NUS, is in conversation with Dr Ijlal Naqvi, Associate Professor of Sociology, Singapore Management University, to discuss these challenges and the emerging landscape of the sector. The discussion draws on issues such as governance challenges, the tensions between the federal state and provinces, the emerging green transition, and the recent growth of solar power.

Episode 264: Haryana Assembly Elections Outlook

Haryana's assembly polls are scheduled for 5 October 2024, marking the first direct political battle between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress, since the Lok Sabha election earlier this year. In this episode of South Asia Chat, ISAS Research Analyst Raghaw Khattri is in conversation with Dr Satendra Kumar, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Asian and Oriental Studies, University of Zurich, to delve into the complexities of the election campaign. They discuss the BJP's setbacks in Haryana's 2024 General Elections, the intriguing alliances shaping up, key election issues like the Minimum Support Price (MSP) and unemployment, and how the entrance of athletes like Vinesh Phogat might influence voter dynamics. Dr Kumar offers his expert analysis on these topics, including the role of caste and rebel MLAs in shaping the political landscape ahead.

Episode 263: Protest, Politics and Popular Culture in Bangladesh

In this episode of South Asia Chat, Dr Imran Ahmed, Research Fellow at ISAS, talks to Nusrat Chowdhury, Associate Professor of Anthropology, Amherst College, to unpack the July uprising in Bangladesh. They explore the student-led protest movement, its role in reshaping popular culture, and how national memory is evolving in the wake of Sheikh Hasina's fall.

Episode 262: Sri Lanka's 2024 Presidential Elections: Campaign Politics and Challenges Ahead

Sri Lanka’s presidential election was held on Saturday the 21 September 2024. The presidential campaign was dominated by three main candidates, the incumbent President Ranil Wickremesinghe running on an independent platform, the main opposition party’s (Samagi Jana Balawegaya) leader Sajith Premadasa, and the National People’s Power candidate, Anura Kumara Dissanayake. In this episode, ISAS Research Fellow Dr Rajni Gamage talks to Dr Pradeep Pieris, Senior Lecturer at the Department of Political Science and Public Policy, University of Colombo, about the politics behind the presidential campaigns and challenges ahead.

Episode 261: India-China : The Future of Foreign Policy

India and China have long been locked in border disputes along the Himalayas, with tensions particularly high following a deadly clash in 2020. However, recent negotiations after Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s re-election have sparked cautious optimism for resolution. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Kanika Kaur, Research Analyst at ISAS, is joined by Professor Kanti Bajpai, Vice Dean of Research and Development at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, to discuss the significance of the ongoing talks, domestic political pressures in India, China’s evolving stance, and how these developments may reshape India's foreign policy.

Episode 260: Singapore-India’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership: PM Modi’s Visit and More

The past week has been an exciting time here in Singapore with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit. Modi’s fifth visit to Singapore marked a momentous occasion in Singapore-India relations as the two countries upgraded their strategic partnership to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that essentially means deeper bilateral cooperation over wider and newer sectors. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research lead for the trade and economics division at ISAS, to discuss the significance of the visit, India-Singapore’s deepening ties and their cooperation over different sectors.