South Asia Chat

Episode 124: South Asia Outlook 2022 - Nepal

Over the past few years, Nepal has seen major convulsions in its domestic politics as well as an intensification of tensions with its neighbours, especially India. However, the country is in a very unique position in South Asia's emerging geostrategic theatre, especially due to the attention it has been receiving from major powers in the region and beyond. To discuss what the year 2022 potentially entails for the Himalayan nation's politics and geopolitics, John Vater, Research Associate, ISAS spoke to Amish Raj Mulmi, a Nepal analyst and the author of the book, All Roads Lead North: Nepal's Turn to China.

Episode 123: China’s Indian Ocean Ambition

In the first week of January, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited to Sri Lanka and the Maldives - two Indian Ocean countries where it is looking to strengthen its influence. This visit is important for these island states not only in the current geopolitical and economic context but also historically as they both celebrate landmark years in their bilateral ties with China. Professor C Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor at ISAS and Dr Chulanee Attanayake, Research Fellow at the same institute, share many insights into the current state of relationship between these countries and how India could navigate the China challenge.

Episode 122: South Asia Outlook 2022 - Pakistan

After performing well in the early part of 2021, Pakistan's economy has now taken a sharp turn with high inflation, wide trade deficit and larget debt. It's cabinet has also approved a supplementary budget seeking to withdraw tax exemptions and introducing other revenue generating measures in order to access the US$6 billion (S$8.12 billion) loan from the International Monetary Fund. It has also collaborated with China on the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor, a project that is aimed at boosting the country's economy. To get greater insights into these developments, Ms Nithya Subramanian, Editor at ISAS, spoke to Dr Danish Khan is Assistant Professor of Economics and co-Director of the ‘Inequality, Poverty, Power & Social Justice’ Initiative at Franklin & Marshall College, USA.

Episode 121: South Asia Outlook 2022 - Sri Lanka

In 2021, Sri Lanka faced several challenges like high inflation, slow GDP growth rate, high foreign debt and tensions in its foreign policy relations, which was further exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. To discuss where Sri Lanka stands at the beginning of 2022 and the various challenges it faces, Ramita Iyer, Research Analyst, ISAS spoke to Dr Chulanee Attanayake, Research Fellow, ISAS.

Episode 120: Spotlight On South Asia

The South Asian subcontinent is poised to witness many changes and challenges in 2022, which includes various political developments and key elections, security challenges, growing focus on technology, climate change and sustainable development, amongst others. This January, Dr Iqbal Singh Sevea took over as the new Director of ISAS, bringing with him expertise in contemporary and modern South Asia, with focus on politics, social and political thought, and governance. He spoke to Nithya Subramanian, Editor, on his association with ISAS, as well as his vision and plans for the institute.

Episode 119: Democracy Under Seige ?

American President Joe Biden recently held a virtual Summit for Democracy with over 100 countries to "renew democracy at home and confront autocracies abroad". Nithya Subramanian, Editor at ISAS, spoke to Dr Rahul Mukherji to discuss the geopolitical implications of this summit and the current state of democracy in India. Dr Mukherji is Professor and Head of the Department of Political Science at the South Asia Institute in Heidelberg University. He is also the Executive Director of the same institute and a Non-Resident Senior Fellow at ISAS.

Episode 118: Cryptocurrency Boom In India

The cryptocurrency market in India has witnessed an unprecedented growth of about 600 per cent over the past one year. This has sparked several controversies regarding its usage as well as the government regulations surrounding it. To gain insights into the reasons for its growth, the potential implications for the government and consumers, Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), ISAS spoke to Vivan Sharan, Partner, Koan Advisory, India. Mr Sharan is also Secretary, Esya Centre, New Delhi.

Episode 117: US-India Trade Ties

In late November, the United States Trade Representative (USTR), Katherine Tai and her deputy, Sarah Bianchi, met India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal and Commerce Secretary B V R Subrahmanyam. To understand the implications of this visit on India-US bilateral ties as well as the impact on the region as a whole, Ramita Iyer, Research Analyst, ISAS spoke to Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), ISAS.

Episode 116: Repeal Of The Farm Laws

After year-long protests by farmers from Punjab and western Uttar Pradesh, on 19 November 2021, the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced his government’s decision to repeal the three controversial farm laws. These were withdrawn on the first day of the winter session of Parliament, sparking a debate on whether this decision was political motivated due to the forthcoming assembly elections in the two states or was it a win for democracy. It also raised questions on the future of agriculture and other economic reforms in the country? Nithya Subramanian, Editor at ISAS, discussed various aspects of this decision with Mr Subhomoy Bhattacharjee, Senior Adjunct Fellow at RIS India and Consulting Editor, Business Standard.

Episode 115: Connectivity Creates Conflict

Dr Mark Leonard, Co-founder and Director of the European Council on Foreign Relations discusses his latest book The Age of Unpeace: How Connectivity causes Conflict with Nithya Subramanian, Editor, ISAS .This book argues that although there is greater connectivity today be it via trade, technology, the internet or travel, these are also giving countries a reason to fight one another and an arsenal of new weapons, from cyber-attacks and sanctions to fake news and weaponised vaccines.