South Asia Chat

Episode 246: 20 Years of ISAS - A Special Episode and Visions for the Future

In this episode, Professor Tan Tai Yong reflects on the 20th anniversary of the Institute of South Asian Studies (ISAS) and shares his vision for its future. Emphasising the critical role of South Asia on the global stage, he discusses its profound impact on regional dynamics, including the intricate relations between Singapore, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Professor Tan underscores ISAS's pivotal role in fostering deeper understanding and collaboration, highlighting the region's socio-economic potential and cultural richness as pivotal factors in shaping global affairs. He is in conversation with ISAS Director, Iqbal Singh Sevea.

Episode 245: 2024 General Elections In India So Far

As five phases of polling have concluded in the 2024 General Elections in India, we have seen a plethora of issues being talked about. From welfare and development to accusations of minority appeasement,  debates on caste census, wealth redistribution, inheritance tax, unemployment, and Hindutva, this election seems to lack a pan-India narrative, unlike the ones in 2014 and 2019. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Mr Raghaw Khattri, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with  Professor Sudha Pai, former Professor of Political Science at Jawaharlal Nehru University to discuss the nature of the election campaign and to look ahead.

Episode 244: ‘Neighbourhood First’: Navigating India - Nepal Relations

India’s relations with its Himalayan neighbour Nepal have seen intense diplomatic engagement under Prime Minister Narendra Modi since he initiated in August 2014 the  ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy.  What have been the outcomes of this policy?  What are the issues that strain mutual ties?  What are Nepal’s domestic constraints which affect bilateral relations? What have been the effects of China’s attempts to expand its strategic footprint through its Belt and Road initiative?  In this episode, Dr Gyanesh Kudaisya, Associate Professor at ISAS, is joined by ISAS Honorary Fellow Professor S D Muni, who draws upon his recently published book, Dabbling in Diplomacy – Authorised & Otherwise: Recollections of a Non-Career Diplomat, to offer insights into these questions.

Episode 243: The Climate Discourse in Indian Elections

The increasing frequency of extreme weather events in India, a country amongst the most vulnerable to climate change, should send the alarm bells ringing. Natural disasters induced and aggravated by anthropogenic activities have significantly impacted lives and livelihoods across the country. How have political parties responded to this threat? Is climate change moving beyond the periphery of electoral interests? To answer some of these important questions, Mr Saeeduddin Faridi, Research Analyst, ISAS, is joined by Dr Navroz Dubash, Adjunct Senior Research Fellow, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, NUS.

Episode 242: Infrastructure and Connectivity between China and Nepal

Infrastructure and connectivity have emerged as critical domains of cooperation between China and Nepal. China is engaged in several infrastructure projects in Nepal including the development of hydropower projects, construction of roadways and the recently inaugurated international airport at Pokhra. Nepal’s Foreign Minister Narayan Kaji Shreshtha recently visited China and infrastructure and connectivity featured significantly on the agenda. To discuss the important developments of this meeting and the broader landscape of Nepal-China ties, Mr Saeeduddin Faridi, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Dr Puspa Sharma, Visiting Senior Research Fellow, ISAS.

Episode 241: Development and Climate Change in the Himalayas

The Himalayas, the world’s so called “third pole” are critical for life within and around the cold, mountainous region. They serve as a home for numerous communities and as the source of several water bodies that support large populations. The impact of climate change is very evident in the Himalayas. Melting glaciers are creating new lakes, rivers are flooding more frequently and more violently, urbanisation and deforestation are impacting the soil, and we are witnessing events like glacial-lake outbursts, which are likely to grow in frequency in the coming years. These problems are exacerbated with increasing economic development and infrastructure in the region. In this episode, Mr Saeeduddin Faridi, Research Analyst, ISAS, discusses with Ambassador Tariq Karim, Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow, ISAS, the tensions between the preservation of ecosystems and development policies in the Himalayan region.

Episode 240: State of Democracy in Sri Lanka and Public Trust in Democratic Institutions

The Election Commission of Sri Lanka has stated that a presidential election is likely to be held between September and October 2024. If held, these will be the first elections held since the 2022 mass people’s protests which caused the political leadership at the time to step down from power. There are multiple political groups and factions that are taking form in the lead up to elections. In addition, the government faces the uphill task of managing prevailing economic crisis conditions. In this episode, ISAS Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr Rajni Gamage talks to Ms Bhavani Fonseka, researcher and Attorney at Law in the Centre for Policy Alternatives, Sri Lanka, in an assessment of the state of democracy and levels of public trust in democratic institutions and processes in Sri Lanka.

Episode 239: India-Pakistan Trade Ties - Possible Revival?

Earlier this month, the Pakistani Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar in one of his interactions in London stated that the Pakistani government is seriously examining resuming trade ties with India. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Prof C Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor at ISAS, dwell on the history of Indo-Pak trade ties, domestic factors playing a role and critical actors driving the relationship.

Episode 238: 13th WTO Ministerial Conference - Global Perspective

The World Trade Organization's (WTO) 13^th Ministerial Conference (MC13) was concluded on 2 March 2024. While progress was made on certain commitments by member states, consensus has not been achieved on certain key long-standing issues. In this episode, Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), ISAS, is in conversation with Stephen Olson, Senior Adjunct Fellow, Pacific Forum and Visiting Lecturer and Non-Resident Fellow at the Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance. They discuss the implications of the WTO MC13 from a global perspective, including the ongoing diversification of trade, the carbon border tax by the European Union, and the upcoming elections in the United States.

Episode 237: India in an Evolving Global Landscape

In this episode, Dr Iqbal Singh Sevea, Director of ISAS, engages Dr S Jaishankar, India's Minister of External Affairs, on India’s priorities in its relations with the major powers such as the United States, China and Russia.  Globally, while Dr Jaishankar advocates reforms in multilateralism and highlights the value of minilateralism and regionalism, he also reflects on India's efforts to ensure inclusivity in global agendas, particularly during its presidency of the G20, emphasising the importance of sustaining focus on the needs of the developing countries and the Global South.