South Asia Chat

In this episode of South Asia Chat, Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow, ISAS-NUS speaks to World Bank Chief Economist for Asia, Dr. Franziska Onsorge on South Asia’s economic outlook for 2026. The region’s economic growth is expected to improve supported by effective policies and resilient remittances despite geopolitical tensions. The discussion highlighted Sri Lanka’s economic recovery, Nepal’s flood-related challenges, and the growing impact of AI on employment and business operations. While AI adoption remains limited, it is already reshaping labour markets, creating both job displacement risks and demand for new skills. The conversation also explored the potential economic benefits of AI infrastructure and data centre development across the region.

Over the past few weeks, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has been in the eye of a storm primarily due to a media report on disagreements among the three election commissioners over the ongoing Special Intensive Review of electoral rolls and the role of the Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar. To discuss the controversy over the ECI and what it means for Indian democracy, Senior Research Fellow Ronojoy Sen spoke to Tarunabh Khaitan, Professor (Chair) of Public Law at the LSE Law School.

In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms Divya Murali, Research Associate at ISAS, speaks with Mr Edgard Rodriguez, Senior Development Economist at Canada’s International Development Research Centre, about the Canada–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement and Canada’s broader engagement with South Asia. They explore how trade and energy cooperation can strengthen economic resilience and support inclusive, sustainable development.

Disclaimer: The views expressed herein do not necessarily represent those of IDRC or its Board of Governors.

As global supply chains shift and digital trade expands, is the India–ASEAN economic partnership ready to meet emerging challenges? In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms Divya Murali, Research Associate at ISAS, speaks with Professor Evelyn Devadason of Universiti Malaya about the evolving economic relationship between India and ASEAN, the ongoing review of their free trade agreement, and opportunities to strengthen regional trade and economic integration.

Ambassador Jaideep Mazumdar, Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow, ISAS-NUS, in conversation with Dr Sandeep Bhardwaj, Research Fellow, ISAS-NUS, unpacks India's multifaceted relationship with Southeast Asia.

Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to the hostilities between the US and Iran have significantly impacted South Asian countries. There was some hope of a return to normalcy after the two countries agreed to a ceasefire. However, with the breakdown of the ceasefire agreement and the resumption of hostilities between the two countries, South Asia faces significant challenges in its energy landscape and its potential repercussions in other social, economic, and political areas. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Dr Puspa Sharma, Senior Research Fellow, ISAS-NUS, speaks to Assistant Professor Rohit Chandra, School of Public Policy, IIT-Delhi, on the impacts faced by the South Asian countries due to the crisis in West Asia, how they have coped with it, and the outlook for the future.

Despite the football World Cup, regarded as the  greatest show on earth, having expanded to 48 participating countries in 2026, we are  once again in the all too familiar situation of no country from South Asia, including the world’s most populous nation India, being present in the tournament. To discuss the reasons behind the perennial absence of India from the World Cup, Senior Research Fellow Ronojoy Sen spoke to two senior sports journalists -- former Gulf News Senior Associate Editor Gautam Bhattacharyya and Hindustan Times' Dhiman Sarkar.

In this episode, we speak with Patrick Olivelle, author of Ashoka: Portrait of a Philosopher King. The author is in conversation with Imran Ahmed, Research Fellow, ISAS.

The electoral verdict in West Bengal, where the Bharatiya Janata Party won a landslide victory against the three-term Trinamool Congress government, and the emergence of a new force in the shape of film star Vijay in Tamil Nadu were the real highlights of the Assembly elections held in India in April 2026. In this episode, Ronojoy Sen, Senior Research Fellow, ISAS, is in conversation with Kolkata-based senior journalist Shikha Mukherjee and Deputy Resident Editor of the Hindu, Tamil Nadu, D. Suresh Kumar about the Bengal and Tamil Nadu election results and their impact.

In this episode, we speak with Paul McGarr, author of Spying in South Asia: Britain, the United States, and India's Secret Cold War. The author is in conversation with Ivan Lidarev, Visiting Research Fellow, ISAS.