South Asia Chat

Nepal has erupted into turmoil as the younger generation poured into the streets in protest of a sweeping social media ban. What began as a stand for digital freedom quickly morphed into a broader revolt against political corruption, economic malaise, and entrenched governance failures. With buildings aflame, dozens killed or injured, and the prime minister forced to resign, the army has stepped in to restore order. Nepal’s future hangs in a balance with questions to its legitimacy. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms. Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst at ISAS, speaks with Dr Puspa Sharma, Visiting Senior Research Fellow at ISAS, to unpack the origin and implications of Nepal’s crisis for the state’s future.

Recent weeks have seen renewed efforts by India and China to stabilise ties. The August visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to New Delhi, followed by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, has been marked by talks of partnership rather than rivalry, and steps towards reviving a framework for settling the long-standing boundary question. Yet serious differences remain, from China’s ties with Pakistan to emerging flashpoints such as water management and regional military developments. In this episode, Ms Kanika Kaur, Research Analyst at ISAS-NUS, is in conversation with Dr C. Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor at ISAS-NUS, to unpack India-China relations in the current geopolitical context and explore what lies ahead.

In this episode, we speak with Manoj Joshi, author of Understanding the India-China Border: The Enduring Threat of War in the High Himalayas. The author is in conversation with Ivan Lidarev, Visiting Research Fellow, ISAS.

Climate finance is once again in the spotlight as the world looks ahead to COP30 in Brazil. This year has already seen some important developments in this space with the US departure from the Paris Agreement and decline in aid from developed countries. Negotiations have also moved forward with the Finance for Development conference in Sevilla and the UN climate meetings in Bonn. To make sense of the changing dynamics of the climate finance landscape Mr Saeeduddin Faridi, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Ms Aarti Khosla, Founder and Director, Climate Trends. The episode delves into the upcoming COP30, the leadership dynamics, and the progress in India on the climate finance front.

India’s journey in artificial intelligence is reaching an inflection point as AI is projected to play a crucial role in fast-tracking the government's target of a one trillion-dollar digital economy by 2028. At the centre of India’s AI strategy is the IndiaAI Mission. The mission, launched in March 2024, is leading India’s innovation and digital transformation to democratise AI for all. While steady progress has been made in India’s AI ecosystem, with the launch of Sarvam AI, AIKosha, and IndiaAI FutureSkills Initiative, challenges persist as India aims to position itself as a global AI leader, balancing ambitious innovation with inclusive growth, strong governance, and cross-sectoral collaboration. In this episode, Mriganika Singh Tanwar, Research Analyst, ISAS-NUS, is in conversation with Mr Jibu Elias, Country Lead (India), Responsible Computing Challenge, Mozilla Foundation, US, to discuss the opportunities and risks in shaping the future of India’s AI revolution. The discussion draws on the developments in IndiaAI mission, specifically the ethical, regulatory, sectoral, and functional challenges that India needs to address to retain technological sovereignty in AI space and influence global AI governance.

On August 5, 2025, India found itself in the crosshairs of US tariff measures issued by President Donald Trump. The unexpected move has rattled Indian policymakers and injected fresh tension into the otherwise stable India-US relationship. The strategic use of tariffs as geopolitical tools is now drawing global concern. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms. Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst at ISAS, speaks with Dr. Amitendu Palit, Senior Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), to unpack the implications of these tariff hikes for India, the evolving dynamic between New Delhi and Washington, and the broader consequences for global trade.

In this episode, we speak with Avinash Paliwal, author of India’s Near East: A New History. The author is in conversation with Sandeep Bhardwaj, Visiting Research Fellow, ISAS

In recent months, several high-ranking Indian officials have met with their Chinese counterparts, indicating an emerging thaw in the relationship. Most recently, India's Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, visited Beijing on 14 July 2025. Jaishankar's meetings with Chinese leaders, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zheng, focused on stabilising and rebuilding ties through practical measures such as resuming direct flights, restarting the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and promoting people-to-people exchanges. In this episode, Ms Bian Sai, Academic Visitor at ISAS-NUS, is in conversation with Dr C. Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor at ISAS-NUS, to discuss the new developments in the relationship between the two Asian giants. 

Following the high-level visit of Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to Washington in June 2025, US–Pakistan relations have re-entered the spotlight. The visit comes amidst the backdrop of the recent conflict with India and Trump's tariff war, raising questions about potential strategic realignments and the future of bilateral cooperations. In this episode, Mr Muhammad Saad Ul Haque, Research Analyst, ISAS-NUS, is in conversation with Professor Touqir Hussain, Former Senior Diplomat from Pakistan and Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University, to discuss the historical foundations of the relationship, evolving military diplomacy, and the broader geopolitical implications of recent developments.

In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst at ISAS, speaks with Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics) on the key outcomes of the recent BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro — held amid rising trade tensions, United States tariff threats, and global calls for multilateral reform.