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All Things Policy

by Takshashila Institution · English · News

Ever wondered how automation will change the world? Maybe you puzzle over what India could do to ease traffic congestion, or how China's aircraft carriers will transform Indian Ocean geopolitics?

New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 33 min
Latest: 7 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026 · 35 minNew

America Votes | Why should India care?

In this inaugural episode of 'America Votes', All Things Policy's series covering the US mid-terms, Brigadier Anil Raman and Abhishek Kadiyala cover the early trends in November elections. They discuss the process, the politics and its relevance for India. It frames the midterms as a contest for Congress, whose powers over war, tariffs and aid outlast any executive action. Tracing the President's record-low approval and Republican fears, the episode shows how American domestic politics now sets the cost and tone of ties with India. It argues that India remains strategically essential but…

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S1 · E1968 · 6 Oct 2026 · 28 minNew

The Limits of US-China Cooperation on AI Safety

Can the US and China cooperate on AI safety while competing to lead the technology’s development? Bharath Reddy and Shobhankita Reddy examine what the Trump–Xi summit revealed, why calls to slow the AI race face resistance and what areas they might possibly cooperate on going forward. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution,…
S1 · E1967 · 5 Oct 2026 · 30 minNew

The Medical Wild East

A Chinese company engaged in semi-invasive brain-computer interface became the first firm globally to get regulatory approval for commercial use. Within 12 days, different arms of the Chinese government - both at the national and local level - worked together to assign the product a medical insurance code, add it to the government’s consumables catalogue, and list it for hospital procurement. In contrast, it may be 2029 when Elon Musk's Neuralink gets its regulatory clearance. Shobhankita Reddy sits down with Shambhavi Naik to discuss what all this means and its potential impact for China…
S1 · E1966 · 1 Oct 2026 · 28 min

Should Governments Read Science Fiction?

Science fiction has a habit of describing inventions decades before they're built: the submarine, the mobile phone, even the phrase "atomic bomb." Astha Rastogi and Ashwin Prasad Rao ask whether that same imaginative power can help governments make sense of technologies that don't yet exist. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution,…
S1 · E1965 · 30 Sep 2026 · 36 min

Civic Innovation: What Works, What Doesn’t

In this episode, Sowmya Prabhakar is in conversation with Kuldeep Dantewadia about Civic Innovation: What Works, What Doesn't. The framework and tools that Kuldeep shares give enough pointers to convene people to bring about change. We also discuss how this works at the intersection of society, government, and markets. We delve into what it takes to keep the learning muscle active by gathering, growing and repeating this process. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution,…
S1 · E1964 · 29 Sep 2026 · 23 min

Cross-Border Strikes and Pakistan-Afghanistan Relations

In this episode of All Things Policy, Aishwaria Sonavane joins Adya Madhavan to unpack Pakistan’s escalating military strikes in Afghanistan. They discuss the deep-rooted ideological and tribal ties binding the Afghan Taliban to the TTP, the limits of regional mediation by actors like China and Saudi Arabia, and whether Islamabad and Kabul are entering a protracted, low-intensity conflict. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution,…
S1 · E1963 · 28 Sep 2026 · 33 min

Saudi Arabia’s Houthi Problem

In this episode of All Things Policy, Aishwaria Sonavane speaks to Raja Karthikeya about the origins of the Saudi-Houthi conflict, the evolution of the Houthis' military capabilities, and why Saudi Arabia’s considerable military and financial resources have not translated into an easy victory. They examine the strategic significance of the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, Washington’s reluctance to enter another regional conflict, the options available to Riyadh, and what the Mecca Pact could mean for the conflict. Tune in for a deep dive into the conflict in just 30 minutes. This episode was…
S1 · E1962 · 25 Sep 2026 · 24 min

Mining, Money and the States

Mining in India is subject to a remarkably high number of levies, from royalty and auction premiums to DMF, NMET, cess and state-level charges. A new amendment has raised even more questions. In this episode, Suman Joshi, along with Sarthak Pradhan and Shobhankita Reddy, unpacks the recent legal and policy changes, what they mean for miners, state finances and communities living around mines. Here is the piece Sarthak and Shobhankita wrote recently: https://theprint.in/opinion/excess-levies-india-mining-industry-minerals-council/3031226/ All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy…
S1 · E1961 · 24 Sep 2026 · 33 min

Who Owns the View from Above?

Satellite imagery is no longer just about having better satellites or sharper images. In this episode of All Things Policy, Gopal Tomar speaks to Dr Y. Nithiyanandam about how commercial satellite access, AI, and private companies are changing who can see and interpret the Earth. They look at what “sovereign Earth intelligence” means for India, whether strategic autonomy requires self-reliance, how India’s geospatial policy has evolved, and the risks around surveillance and privacy. They also discuss what India needs to build a resilient Earth-observation ecosystem and what that capability…
S1 · E1960 · 23 Sep 2026 · 46 min

Senior Citizen Policies: The Kerala Model

Kerala's 60-plus population has grown from 12.6% in 2011 to 18.7% today. The state's own projections put it near 30% by 2051. India as a whole won't reach that share for decades. In the first episode of a series on active ageing, Malathi Renati speaks with Dr Praveen Pai, gerontologist and the WHO Global Network's Focal Point for age-friendly Kochi, about what it actually takes to govern for a population living longer rather than simply growing older. The conversation moves through three layers of government: what the Union has built since 1999, what Kerala has added on top, including a…
S1 · E1959 · 22 Sep 2026 · 47 min

India's Electricity Woes & Solutions

Over the last decade, India's power sector has done few things correctly. Almost every household is connected, and we're adding solar and wind faster than most countries. But if you talk to someone who runs a distribution company, a solar park or a factory, you hear a different story. DISCOMs struggle to pay their bills. Solar gets switched off in the afternoon while another state scrambles for expensive power at night. And a unit of electricity costs the same at noon as it does at 8 pm, even though it's worth very different things at those two times. Today Arindam Goswami is talking to…
S1 · E1958 · 21 Sep 2026 · 37 min

The Real Economics of Innovation Hubs

State governments love lobbying for premier institutes, hoping they'll magically turn into the next Silicon Valley. But without the right ecosystem, top talent just takes the first flight out. In this episode of All Things Policy, host Kavya and guest Arindam unpack the real blueprint for building a tech hub. From state-backed venture capital and regulatory sandboxes to the live-test of India's Semiconductor Mission, discover the foundational policy levers required to turn a shiny campus into a thriving innovation economy. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you…
S1 · E1957 · 18 Sep 2026 · 37 min

What If Your Biggest Launch Customer Is Yourself? | Space Launch 4

Rockets need things to launch. Increasingly, that demand comes from large satellite constellations whose spectrum and orbital filings are mediated by states. Lokendra Sharma and Ashwin Prasad Rao discuss how Starlink and China’s megaconstellations are reshaping launch demand, why orbital rights matter to launch capacity, and whether India can use its own emerging constellation plans to strengthen its domestic launch industry. If you often think about space and India's foray into it, then we think you may like to take the Technopolitik survey designed by the Takshashila Institution. It aims…
S1 · E1956 · 17 Sep 2026 · 27 min

Brahmaputra: The Risk of a River Changing Slowly

China’s mega-dam on the Yarlung Tsangpo has raised concerns about downstream risks for India. Beyond the prospect of sudden floods, how could gradual changes in river flows and sediment reshape the Brahmaputra and the lives that depend on it? In this episode of All Things Policy, Kavya Rai speaks with Dr Y. Nithiyanandam about Himalayan hazards, climate change and the implications of upstream development for downstream states in India. They also discuss the role of geospatial monitoring, data sharing and scientific cooperation in strengthening India’s preparedness. The original op-ed about…
S1 · E1955 · 16 Sep 2026 · 30 min

What Happens After a Rocket Fails? | Space Launch 3

Failure is an unavoidable part of developing launch vehicles, but not every launch company survives it. Lokendra Sharma and Ashwin Prasad Rao discuss why states sometimes continue supporting launch firms after expensive failures and sometimes allow them to disappear. Drawing on cases from the United States, China and elsewhere, they ask what India’s first serious private-launch failure will reveal about the state’s willingness to preserve domestic launch capability. The discussion draws on this newsletter: https://orrery.ashwinprasadrao.com/p/still-on-the-umbilical All Things Policy is a…
S1 · E1954 · 15 Sep 2026 · 40 min

Laughs and SCO-ffs At Bishkek

In this episode of All Things Policy, Anisree Suresh sits with Manoj Kewalramani and Anushka Saxena to unpack the 26th SCO Summit. They analyse the key takeaways from the Summit and its Bishkek Declaration, the utility of the Organisation itself from an Indian perspective, and its wider impact on regional security and cooperation. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to you by the Takshashila Institution,…
S1 · E1953 · 11 Sep 2026 · 25 min

What India Gains from BRICS and the SCO

India’s participation in BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation often appears contradictory. New Delhi shares the table with China, Russia, Iran and Pakistan even as it deepens ties with the United States, Europe and other Indo-Pacific partners. In this episode, Vanshika Saraf and Bhumika Sevkani examine what India actually gains from being on the table, where these groupings fall short, and whether continued participation strengthens India’s influence across regions and institutions important to a multipolar world. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy brought to…
S1 · E1952 · 10 Sep 2026 · 36 min

NPC Watch: China's Defence in Jeopardy?

In this episode of 'All Things Policy', Aditi Palo quizzes Anushka Saxena on her takeaways from the recently concluded session of the 14th Standing Committee of the Chinese National People's Congress. They discuss the revisions to China's National Defence Mobilisation Law, removals of key members from the Central Military Commission, and the budget report introduced at the NPC session. Anushka also addresses a question often asked by watchers of the NPC: Is it just a rubber-stamp parliament, or something more relevant? Tune in to find out her reasoning. All Things Policy is a daily podcast…
S1 · E1951 · 9 Sep 2026 · 32 min

Reading the Himalayan Warning Signs

The devastating floods in Nepal are a reminder of how hazards in one part of the Himalayas can cascade into disasters hundreds of kilometres downstream. In this episode, Nithiyanandam Y, Head of Takshashila’s Geospatial Programme, speaks with Shreya Ramakrishnan about what triggered the recent disaster, what geospatial intelligence can tell us before such events occur, and how better observation, preparedness and cross-border cooperation can help India manage the risks of a changing Himalayan region. As promised, read and listen to Nithiyanandam Y's analysis of these events: Nepal Floods:…
S1 · E1950 · 8 Sep 2026 · 38 min

Navigating the Ice Silk Road

A Chinese shipping company – Sea Legend- announced that it will be starting container shipping services between China’s east coast and the UK through the 'Ice Silk Road'. In this episode, Bhumika Sevkani and Anushka Saxena talk about the potential of the alternative route, the China-Russia partnership in the Arctic and the leverage that the Ice Silk Road could provide going ahead. Tune in to understand the global implications of exploring this trade route as well as the interests and actions of various geopolitical actors in the Arctic. All Things Policy is a daily podcast on public policy…
S1 · E1949 · 7 Sep 2026 · 31 min

What Does The Mecca Pact Actually Change?

What does the emerging Mecca Pact mean for regional security and, more crucially, for India? In this episode of All Things Policy, Research Analysts Aishwaria Sonavane and Adya Madhavan deliberate on the trilateral defence arrangement between Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and Pakistan, analysing its capabilities, strategic asymmetries, and the gap between collective-defence commitments on paper and immediate operational realities. From the perspective of a Pakistan-Saudi nuclear umbrella to questions of military interoperability and Pakistan's long-term capability development, they examine what…
S3 · E1948 · 4 Sep 2026 · 50 min

Semicon 2.0 Focuses on Getting India's Chip Design Game Right

On 31 August 2026, the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) notified Semicon 2.0 – Scheme for the development of Semiconductor Design and Manufacturing Ecosystem in India. To discuss the hits and misses of this new architecture, Pranay Kotasthane speaks to Sunil Acharya, Management Director of the Semiconductor Future Accelerator Lab Foundation (SFAL). Sunil breaks down the incentives for chip design firms and explains how investors and entrepreneurs might perceive these changes. Read more: https://egazette.gov.in/WriteReadData/2026/275860.pdf All Things Policy is a daily…
S1 · E1947 · 3 Sep 2026 · 29 min

You Can Have a Rocket and Still Lose Access to Space | Space Launch 2

A rocket is only useful if it has somewhere reliable to launch from. Lokendra Sharma and Ashwin Prasad Rao discuss how geography, launch ranges, sea launch and access to foreign spaceports shape national launch capacity. They also examine India’s dependence on Sriharikota, the role of Kulasekarapattinam, and whether Technology Safeguards Agreements and overseas launch sites could give India more resilient access to orbit. The discussion draws on this recent newsletter edition discussing global space launch: https://orrery.ashwinprasadrao.com/p/still-on-the-umbilical For those interested in…
S1 · E1946 · 2 Sep 2026 · 29 min

Who Pays for Private Rockets? | Space Launch 1

Private rockets may be built by companies, but who gives them enough demand to survive and scale? Lokendra Sharma and Ashwin Prasad Rao discuss how government procurement has shaped launch capacity in the United States and China, why India has largely supported the supply of rockets rather than buying launches, and how anchor contracts could help build a stronger domestic launch industry. The discussion draws on this recent newsletter edition discussing global space launch: https://orrery.ashwinprasadrao.com/p/still-on-the-umbilical For those interested in exploring these questions further,…
S1 · E1945 · 1 Sep 2026 · 28 min

Should India Aspire to Have 15-Minute Cities?

A 15-minute city is an urban planning concept where all daily essential services are accessible within a 15-minute walk or bike ride from any resident's front door. Developed by Franco-Colombian scholar Carlos Moreno and popularised in Paris, the model aims to reduce car dependency, lower carbon emissions, and boost local quality of life. But would this concept play out well in the average Indian city? To unpack this question and more, Kripa Koshy (Staff Programme Manager) is joined by Sarthak Pradhan (Assistant Professor, Economics) and Suman Joshi (Staff Programme Manager) in this latest…
S1 · E1944 · 31 Aug 2026 · 38 min

How Is The Iran War Impacting US Midterms?

In this episode of All Things Policy, Vanshika Saraf and Abhishek Kadiyala examine what the war on Iran means for the November 2026 midterm elections in the U.S. The joint U.S. and Israeli strikes that began on 28 February 2026 have not become a campaign issue in their own right, with only 4 per cent of Americans naming foreign policy as their top concern by July. The conversation applies a test drawn from Iraq in 2002 and Afghanistan in 2010, which is that American wars seldom rank as voter priorities yet often worsen the issues that do. The episode works through the evidence, including…
S1 · E1943 · 28 Aug 2026 · 1 hr 40 min

Where Will Future Growth Come From?

Since 1950, only a handful of countries have made the jump from poor to rich, and nearly all of them did it in a similar way. Put a lot of people in factories, sell cheap goods into open Western markets, and climb, one rung at a time, for forty years. Today, the tariff walls are going back up, the trade rulebook is fraying, and China sits on every rung of that ladder. The fashionable verdict is that India's window has closed. Has it? In this final episode of Turbulence, Anupam Manur is joined by Shruti Rajagopalan, Senior Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University and…
S1 · E1942 · 27 Aug 2026 · 33 min

The Great Indian Tournament

In this episode, 'The Great Indian Tournament' — Only a few "win" India's white-collar job market while millions compete for a shrinking number of prizes. Sowmya Prabhakar & Shobhankita Reddy use tournament theory to figure out why India's middle class is hitting a breaking point. It points to real openings in the semiconductor design and entrepreneurship sectors where prizes are going unclaimed for want of the right people. However, this means the old rulebook- study hard, get a degree, get a job, retire safely needs rewriting for individuals and for policy alike. All Things Policy is a…
S1 · E1941 · 26 Aug 2026 · 34 min

The State of Fiscal Decentralisation in Karnataka

Karnataka has long been seen as a leader in fiscal decentralisation, giving local governments both responsibilities and resources to deliver public services. But as the state urbanises rapidly, is this changing? In this episode of All Things Policy, Sarthak Pradhan speaks with Manisha Marulasiddappa from Janaagraha, co-author of the report A Slow Reversal of Karnataka’s Fiscal Decentralisation, to unpack what is happening to fiscal decentralisation in Karnataka. Manisha discusses the role of State Finance Commissions, the growing gap between Karnataka’s urbanisation and its fiscal transfers…
S1 · E1940 · 25 Aug 2026 · 26 min

Pakistan in the Middle: Mediating West Asia

Pakistan has emerged as an unlikely mediator in the conflict in West Asia, balancing its relationships with Iran, Saudi Arabia, the US and China. In this episode of All Things Policy, Suman Joshi speaks with Aishwaria Sonavane about what has enabled Pakistan to play this role, the limits of its diplomatic leverage, and what its growing relevance could mean for India. This is based on Aishwaria's recent paper titled: SWOT Analysis of Pakistan’s Mediation in West Asia - takshashila.org.in/content/publications/20260811-swot-analysis-of-pakistans-mediation-in-west.html All Things Policy is a…

About All Things Policy

Ever wondered how automation will change the world? Maybe you puzzle over what India could do to ease traffic congestion, or how China's aircraft carriers will transform Indian Ocean geopolitics? All Things Policy, a daily podcast brought to you by the Takshashila Institution, brings you all the answers. Every weekday, our researchers break down complex economic and geopolitical ideas through the lens of current events. For everyone from the busy executive to the curious student, All Things Policy is all you'll need to understand the world (and appreciate your breakfast) better.

All Things Policy is a English news podcast from Takshashila Institution. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Takshashila Institution
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Daily
Typical length: 33 min
Latest episode: 7 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1166552728
Website: ivmpodcasts.com/ivm-show/all-things-policy-61e571e6adf87e3b1d5909f3
Rights: Takshashila Institution

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