South Asia Chat

Episode 277: Delhi Votes 2025 - Welfare Politics, Voter Sentiments, and the Battle for Power

In the upcoming Delhi elections, welfare promises and populist measures take centre stage. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Raghaw Khattri, Research Analyst at ISAS, hosts Dr Neelanjan Sircar, Assistant Professor at Ahmedabad University, to delve into the dynamics shaping this high-stakes electoral contest. Dr Sircar discusses the escalating 'auction of votes,' the long-term economic implications of welfare politics, and the 'Kejriwal versus who' narrative. He also examines voter sentiment, anti-incumbency factors, and the prospects of major players such as the BJP and Congress in the Delhi Assembly elections.

Episode 276: Trump’s Second Term - Implications for India and the World

Donald Trump’s recent re-election marks a pivotal moment for India-US relations, with his administration set to shape trade, immigration, and global power dynamics in ways that could significantly impact India. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Kanika Kaur, Research Analyst at ISAS, is joined by Ambassador Nirupama Rao, former Foreign Secretary of India to discuss the implications of Trump’s second term. They delve into the potential for heightened tariffs on Indian exports, the challenges posed by Trump’s hawkish immigration policies on skilled Indian professionals, and the evolving power balance between China and the US.

Episode 275: South Asian Strategic Outlook 2025 - Trade and Economics

With global and regional economies still stabilising from the various events of the first half of the decade,  in this episode of South Asia Chat, Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics) at ISAS-NUS shares the strategic economic outlook for the region in the year 2025. He is in conversation with Ms Divya Murali, Research Associate, ISAS. They discuss the year that was for South Asia economically, the region's economic outlook for 2025, debt stress of the states in the region, graduating LDCs prospects and risks that the region has to deal with while in pursuit of its growth agendas during 2025.

Episode 274: South Asia in 2025

The year 2024 was marked by human conflicts, political shifts and intensification of transnational challenges. In this episode of South Asia Chat,  Associate Professor Iqbal Singh Sevea, Director, ISAS discusses with Ms Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst at ISAS, the impact of these crises on South Asia. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities for the region in 2025.

Episode 273: Trump, Trade and Tariffs

President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office as the 47th President of the United States of America in January 2025. Donald Trump’s second term in office is poised to be a continuation of his first term where US’s pre-2017 free trade principles and approach to economic policies is expected to undergo vast changes. As the world waits to see the real effects take root, in today’s episode of South Asia Chat, Ms. Divya Murali, Research Associate at ISAS chats with Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), ISAS-NUS to unpack the implications of Trump 2.0 trade and economic policies that could impact the world and the region.

Episode 272: Navigating Climate Finance: COP29 and Trump Presidency

The recent COP29 conference brought climate finance to the forefront of international climate diplomacy, with key outcomes such as the adoption of the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance and the new $300 billion target. However, these developments have sparked contention, particularly highlighting the diverging perspectives between developed and developing countries. Additionally, the re-election of Donald Trump, whose rhetoric has historically opposed climate action, adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing discussions on climate action and finance. To unpack these recent developments in climate finance, Mr Saeeduddin Faridi, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Dr Gautam Jain, Senior Research Scholar, Center on Global Energy Policy, School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA), Columbia University.

Episode 271: Imran Khan, PTI, and Civil Unrest in Islamabad

This episode of South Asia Chat delves into the political polarisation in Pakistan which has emerged since the incarceration of former Prime Minister Imran Khan. The discussion focuses on the ongoing protests led by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, which culminated in violent clashes with security forces on 24 November 2024. Mr Muhammad Saad Ul Haque, Research Analyst, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, in conversation with Dr Zahid Ahmed, Associate Professor, National Defence College, Abu Dhabi, explores the broader implications of these events, highlighting issues of governance, accountability, and the role of public dissent in Pakistan's evolving democracy.

Episode 270: BrahMos: Launchpad to India’s Defence Diplomacy in Southeast Asia

In April 2024, India delivered three BrahMos missile batteries to the Philippines as part of a US$375 (S$510 million) million deal, making the Philippines the first export customer of the India-Russia joint venture. This highlights India’s growing role in defence technology exports, with BrahMos embodying the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ vision. The deal strengthens India-Philippines ties amid rising tensions with China, especially after the 2020 border clashes and South China Sea disputes and reflects increasing India-ASEAN defence cooperation. As India aims to be a key defence exporter, challenges remain in maintaining BrahMos’ competitive edge in the regional arms market. Mriganika Singh Tanwar, Research Analyst, ISAS, speaks with Dr Rajeswari Pillai Rajagopalan,  Resident Senior Fellow, Australian Strategic Policy Institute, Canberra, Australia, on India’s defence diplomacy in Southeast Asia, the BrahMos deal, and its regional security impact.

 

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.