South Asia Chat

Episode 166: Renewable Energy in India

A report released by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis noted record levels of investment in India’s renewable energy sector, with a total of US$14.5 billion (S$20.6 billion) invested in FY2021-2022. These figures reflect a 125 per cent growth compared to FY2020-2021 and are 72 per cent higher than the pre-pandemic levels of FY2019-2020. In this episode, Ms Disha Agarwal, Senior Programme Lead, Council on Energy, Environment and Water, India, speaks on the growth of the renewable energy sector in India, and the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. She is in conversation with Ms Ramita Iyer, Research Analyst, ISAS.

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Episode 165: Food Security in India and South Asia

Global food prices have risen sharply after the COVID19 pandemic and Ukraine conflict. Food shortages have also exacerbated due to crop failures arising from extreme weather events. More shortages have arisen due to restrictions on cross-country movements of food. In this episode, we join Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade & Economics) at ISAS-NUS and Dr Bornali Bhandari, Senior Fellow, NCAER, as they discuss and analyse policies for tackling food inflation, the challenges arising for affordable food distribution through public distribution systems, consequences of extreme weather events on food supplies and the role of technological solutions in addressing the food supply issues.  

Episode 164: Bangladesh’s Economy and Growing Chinese Investments

Bangladesh’s economy, like many countries around the world, is challenged by multiple macro-economic issues induced due to the aftermath of the pandemic and the continuing geo-political conflicts. While the country tries to deal with the economic issues by actively forging economic partnerships in and around the region, it is noticeable that the Chinese investments in the country has steadily risen. In this episode, Ms Divya Murali, Research Analyst, ISAS, spoke to Dr Mohammad Masudur Rahman, Visiting Research Fellow, ISAS, to understand this growing nexus between Bangladesh’s economy and the rising Chinese investments.  

Episode 163: India’s Strategic Choices

The year 2022 marks 75 years of Indian independence and foreign policy making where much has changed and remained unchanged both domestically and internationally. In this episode, Ms Ramita Iyer, Research Analyst, ISAS, discusses India’s strategic choices in a seemingly shifting world order with Professor C Raja Mohan, Senior Fellow, Asia Society Policy Institute, New Delhi and Visiting Research Professor, ISAS. They cover issues pertaining to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, the growing interest in Central Asia, India's relations with Russia, the United States and its South Asian neighbours, and the country's minilateral endeavours. 

Episode 162: Beyond Floods Pakistan’s Climate Crisis

Pakistan is experiencing devastating floods. The catastrophic losses Pakistan has incurred due to the floods are evident. However, there is still much to enquire on the topic surrounding disaster management and humanitarian aid in Pakistan, and potentially, in South Asia. In this episode, Dr Ayesha Siddiqi, Assistant Professor, University of Cambridge, analyses the cause and impact of the floods, and what this means for Pakistan’s climate crisis management. She is in conversation with Ms Kunthavi Kalachelvam, Research Analyst, ISAS.

Episode 161: Tough Times for the Congress

The Indian National Congress has been on a freefall since the 2014 general elections when the Bharatiya Janata Party stormed to power. So far, no meaningful efforts have been made for the revival of the grand old party. Since 2014, several leaders at all levels have exited the party and questions have been raised on Rahul Gandhi's leadership. In this episode, Dr Ronojoy Sen, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Politics, Society and Governance), ISAS discusses the future of the Congress Party with Dr Rahul Verma, Fellow, Centre of Policy Research and Visiting Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Ashoka University.

Episode 160: India Commissions INS Vikrant

On 2 September, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi commissioned the country’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. The 45,000 tonne warship is the largest one to be built by India and has now successfully completed one year of sea trials. With the US$3 billion (S$4.2 billion) worth Vikrant, India has now joined an elite league of the world’s naval powers. In this episode, Ms Ramita Iyer, Research Analyst, ISAS, spoke to Dr Yogesh Joshi, Research Fellow, ISAS about INS Vikrant, and India’s defence capabilities and naval strategy.

Episode 159: Recent Developments in Afghanistan

The 15^th of August marks a year since the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Associate Professor Avinash Paliwal speaks to Dr Imran Ahmed, Visiting Research Fellow at ISAS, about recent developments in Afghanistan, taking stock of a year of turmoil, surprises and conflict in the country and its implications for neighbouring states and the international community. Afghanistan’s complex and evolving politics continues to beset significant challenges for regional and global powers alike.

Episode 158: India’s Foreign Trade Policy

India is expected to launch a new medium term foreign trade policy(FTP) that will succeed the earlier FTP (2015-2020). The FTP comes after the COVID-19 pandemic and India’s recent robust engagement in FTAs. In this episode, we join Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade & Economics) at ISAS-NUS and Ms R.V. Anuradha, Partner, Clarus Law Associates, as they discuss the thematic emphasis of the upcoming FTP, it’s prospects and alignment with new generation trade issues.

Episode 157: The Sri Lankan Crisis - Latest Developments

Sri Lanka is currently facing its worst economic crisis in 70 years. The economic meltdown has also sparked a political crisis. Sri Lankans, who see no end to their financial burdens, have taken to the streets. The protests have pressured the Rajapaksas to leave not only high politics but also the country. This political vacuum formed by the Rajapaksas saw the former Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, take office as President, with Dinesh Gunawardena serving as Prime Minister. Amidst these developments, Sri Lanka is seeking its seventeenth International Monetary Fund bailout loan. In this episode, Ms Shavinyaa Vijaykumarr, Research Analyst, ISAS, spoke to Dr Chulanee Attanayake, Research Fellow, ISAS, and Dr Rajni Gamage, Post-doctoral Fellow, ISAS. They discussed economic restructuring policies, diplomacy and foreign policy considerations, and Sri Lanka's domestic political outlook.