South Asia Chat

Episode 176: South Asia Outlook 2023

In this episode, Associate Professor Iqbal Singh Sevea talks to Dr Imran Ahmed on the year that has passed and the enduring sources and causes of political and geopolitical tension and contestation in the region. Professor Sevea touches on the political economy driving social upheaval within South Asian states, major power competition between India and China and its impact on the region, upcoming elections as well as significant turning points and future challenges for the region including inflation and food and energy security. 

Episode 175: An Overview of COP27

Climate change is developing into a terrifying truth that the world needs to address immediately. The COP27, a global summit on the climate change held by the parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is the biggest and most important climate-related conference in the world. Recently held in Egypt, this year’s vision focused on 4 goals: mitigation of climate change, adaptation to face the challenges of a changing climate, financing efforts to address climate change and collaboration between member nations to achieve results in a balanced way. Ms Harpreet Kaur, Editor at ISAS, speaks to Ms Anumita Roychowdhury, Executive Director, Research and Advocacy at the Centre for Science and Environment, (CSE), in New Delhi, on the key outcomes of the summit.

Episode 174: A Tough End to 2022 for Bangladesh

It has been a tough year for South Asia. From changes in governments and terrorist traumas to climatic vicissitudes and pandemic challenges, the region is likely to continue facing several severe challenges, moving forward.  In recent times, Bangladesh has been one of the more positive stories coming out of South Asia, in terms of political stability and economic growth. However, it too seems to have fallen prey to this South Asian ‘curse’. Ms Harpreet Kaur, Editor at ISAS, speaks with Dr Masudur Rahman, Visiting Research Fellow at ISAS, as he assesses the volatile situation in Bangladesh and its repercussions.

Episode 173: State Elections in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh

In the recently held Indian state elections, the Bharatiya Janata Party returned to power in Gujarat for the seventh consecutive time, seeing a jump in its vote share to 52.5 per cent. On its part, the Aam Aadmi Party’s entry into Gujarat dramatically changed political equations in the state. In Himachal Pradesh, the Congress returned to power, continuing the state's tradition of anti-incumbency. In this episode, Dr Ronojoy Sen, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Politics, Society and Governance), spoke to Professor Sanjay Kumar, Professor and Co-Director of Lokniti, a Research Programme at the Centre for the Study of Developing Societies, India. They discussed the recent election results, the performance of the various parties, and its implications in the coming days.

Episode 172: India-Russia Relations

Russia is one of India's strongest strategic partners and its principal defence supplier. However, Russia's war in Ukraine has catapulted this relationship to public scrutiny like never before. Despite harsh criticism from the Western countries, New Delhi has defended its public position which remains averse to openly criticising Russia. India has also used the current situation to fulfil its national interests, particularly through the import of national resources from a heavily sanctioned Russian economy. In this episode, Dr Yogesh Joshi, Research Fellow, ISAS, discusses the contemporary developments and its implications with Mr Nandan Unnikrishnan, Distinguished Fellow, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi, India.

Episode 171: The Quad and Ransomware

The Quad members – Australia, India, Japan and the United States – recently announced their joint efforts to combat cyber-attacks with an added focus on ransomware. Their aim is to create a safer and concrete cyber-world, primarily in the Indo-Pacific. The Quad members are very focussed on their vision and amongst their six verticals, cyber-security appears to take precedence. Ms Harpreet Kaur, Editor, at ISAS, speaks to Dr Karthik Nachiappan, Research Fellow, ISAS, to understand the motivation behind the Quad’s focus on ransomware and how this cooperation will benefit the Quad alliance.

Episode 170: G20 in Bali - Analysis

In November 2022, the G20 leaders met for a two-day summit in Bali, Indonesia. Under the theme of this year, 'Recover Together, Recover Stronger’, the leaders, in a joint common declaration, raised important issues such as food and energy security, climate and biodiversity, health and digital transformation. In this episode, Ms Ramita Iyer, Research Analyst, ISAS, speaks to Ms Sharon Koshy, Research Associate, Centre for Public Policy Research in Kochi, India. They discuss the G20 summit and related developments.

Episode 169: The 1962 War - Reflection of Sino-Indian Relations

In October 1962, India and China fought their only war. Sixty years later, the border dispute remains unresolved with Delhi and Beijing confronting multiple crises over the past decade. The rivalry is not only underlined by the United States-China contestation but also by an increasing competition between India and China. In this episode, Dr Yogesh Joshi, Research Fellow, ISAS, speaks to Dr Jabin Jacob, Associate Professor, Department of International Relations and Governance Studies, Shiv Nadar University, India, and Adjunct Research Fellow, National Maritime Foundation, India. They discuss the implications of the 1962 India-China war and its shadow on the developments in contemporary bilateral relations.

Episode 168: The Crises in Pakistan

Pakistan currently faces gargantuan political, economic, and social challenges. The ouster of former prime minister Imran Khan in April 2022 continues to produce ongoing political turmoil, uncertainties, and violence across the country. A fragile economy, recent devastating floods and mounting cost of living have compounded social distress and unrest. In this episode, Dr Imran Ahmed, Visiting Research Fellow, ISAS, discusses recent developments in Pakistan with Associate Professor Iqbal Singh Sevea, Director, ISAS, and unpacks the causes and consequences of Pakistan’s current political and economic crises.

Episode 167: G20 Bali Summit - What to Expect

The G20 summit will take place in Bali, Indonesia on 15 and 16 November 2022. The G20, an intergovernmental forum to maintain economic stability and foster economic growth, represents more than 80 per cent of the global Gross Domestic Product, 75 per cent of international trade and 60 per cent of the world population. In this episode, Ms Ramita Iyer, Research Analyst, ISAS speaks to Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), ISAS. They discuss potential issues that are likely to be raised at the summit, prospects of economic recovery post-COVID, challenges posed by the Russia-Ukraine war and the role of developing market economies, including India.