South Asia Chat

Episode 218: India’s Climate Diplomacy

Climate action is inextricably linked with international cooperation and India has been an active player in this domain. However, navigating this landscape is increasingly complex with rising geopolitical tensions, the proliferation of international forums and the Global North - Global South divide. This episode of South Asia Chat looks at India’s climate diplomacy, maps its journey in this domain and reflects on the strategic debates on furthering climate action. To discuss this, Mr Saeeduddin Faridi, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Dr Karthik Nachiappan, Research Fellow, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore and Dr Constantino Xavier, Fellow, Foreign Policy and Security Studies, Centre for Social and Economic Progress. Dr Nachiappan and Dr Xavier are also co-editors of a recently published report titled Tracks to Transition: India’s Global Climate Strategy.

Episode 217: India’s Approach to the Israel-Palestine Conflict

Despite traditional fault lines between Israel and the Arab nations, India has obtained a fine balance in the Middle East. However, the recent Israel-Palestine crisis challenges India's partnerships in the Middle East. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Professor C Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor at ISAS, to discuss the challenges India's ties face in the Middle East, the possibility of peace in the Middle East and India's future role in the region.

Episode 216: Sri Lanka’s State of Democracy and Governance Challenges in 2023

In this episode of South Asia Chat, Dr Rajni Gamage, ISAS, chats with Dr Nishan De Mel, Executive Director, Verite Research, on the key dynamics of Sri Lanka’s ‘crisis recovery’ since the 2022 national economic crisis. This includes identifying key governance-related challenges faced by the Sri Lankan government in carrying out political and economic reforms, the state of the government's political legitimacy and its impact on the country's democracy, and what measures the government is pursuing to cushion the impact of the crisis on the affected communities in Sri Lanka.

Episode 215: Maldives Presidential Election Results

Maldives’ incumbent leader Mohamed Solih has conceded defeat, paving way for Mohamed Muizzu to take over the presidency in the island nation. Mohamed Muizzu won 54 percent of the votes in an election campaign that ran on issues like corruption, sovereignty and the India-China balance. In this episode, Mr Saeeduddin Faridi, Research Analyst, ISAS discusses the election and its consequences with Dr Rasheeda Didi, Senior Research Fellow for South Asia Focus Network, Maldives and Member of the Higher Education Council of Maldives.

Episode 214: Women’s Reservation in India

The Indian Parliament, during a special session from 18 to 22 September 2023, passed the 128th Constitutional Amendment Bill 2023 to mandate one-third reservation for women in India’s lower house of parliament as well as state assemblies. The bill, which was cleared with near unanimity, also extends the quota to the seats reserved for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. In this episode, Ms Ramita Iyer, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Professor Krishna Menon, Professor of Gender Studies in the School of Human Studies at Dr B R Ambedkar University Delhi. They discuss the content, journey of the bill and broader implications of women's reservation in India.

Episode 213: Future of Green Hydrogen in India

Green hydrogen is likely to play an important role in the global efforts against climate change. It is also an important element in India’s ambitious plans such as the goal to be energy independent by 2047 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2070. For that, India has launched several projects and policy measures to push the production of green hydrogen in the country as it aims to become a global hub of green hydrogen production. In this episode, Mr Saeeduddin Faridi, Research Analyst, ISAS is in conversation with Dr Guncha Munjal, Program Manager – Hydrogen, WRI India and Mr Anuraag Nallapaneni, Senior Program Associate – Hydrogen, WRI India. They discuss the current and future trajectory of green hydrogen in India.

Episode 212: Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism

Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism or CBAM has emerged as the latest development within the intersection of environmental sustainability and trade. Its phased implementation will begin on 1^st October 2023. CBAM is geared at preventing carbon leakage and encouraging decarbonisation in sectors including electricity, cement, iron and steel, fertiliser, aluminium, and hydrogen. This policy will have important implications for India and other developing countries. In this episode Mr Saeeduddin Faridi, Research Analyst, ISAS is in conversation with Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), ISAS to delve into this policy and its implications for India and global trade.

Episode 211: India’s G20 - Outcomes and Way Forward

India's G20 Summit brought to the forefront a new global governance agenda. In this episode, Ms Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Associate Professor Iqbal Singh Sevea, Director, ISAS, Mr Vinod Rai, Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow, ISAS, and Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), ISAS, to discuss significant outcomes of the G20 summit and the future of its agenda.

Episode 210: India Post G20 Summit - Strategic Opportunities and Challenges

The G20 summit held under India's presidency in New Delhi, on 9 and 10 September 2023, brought with it significant geopolitical changes and new opportunities for Indian foreign policy. In this episode, Ms Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Professor C Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor, ISAS. They discuss what the G20 summit has meant for India's relations with the world, especially Europe, Middle-East and the United States, and Delhi's influence in the Global South. They also reflect on India's historical journey and the evolution of its position in the world order.

Episode 209: BRICS Summit 2023

The 15th BRICS Summit was held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 22-24 August 2023 where a major announcement was made regarding an expansion in the grouping’s membership. The current BRICS members include Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa while the new entrants who will become full members from 1 January 2024 are Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. In this episode, Ms Ramita Iyer, Research Analyst, ISAS, discusses the economic and strategic potential of the BRICS with Professor C Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor, ISAS.