The India Briefing (Radio O)
Explore every episode of The India Briefing
| Pub. Date | Title | Duration | |
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| 31 Dec 2024 | 2024 : The Year That Was | 01:04:07 | |
In this episode of The India Briefing, hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari look back and discuss the headlines of 2024 in politics, art, culture, cinema, the changing nature of public good in politics, reflections on the future of democracy in India and lots more. Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in | |||
| 03 Dec 2024 | The Adani Indictment II - The Indian Response | 00:33:46 | |
In this episode, our hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari delve into the indictment of Gautam Adani and others, exploring the serious charges of securities fraud and bribery under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act. The conversation looks at the impact on the company's market value, investor sentiment, and the Indian government's response. The discussion highlights the volatility of Adani's stock, the political implications of the allegations, and the broader context of India's infrastructure development and regulatory environment. Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in | |||
| 17 Feb 2025 | India - US Relations in the Trump 2.0 Era | 01:20:24 | |
In this episode of The India Briefing, our hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari speak with Navtej Sarna and Ashley Tellis to analyse the evolving India-US bilateral relationship, particularly in light of Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Washington. Our guests help untangle the complexities of trade dynamics, immigration issues, and the interplay between domestic politics and foreign policy. Listen in for insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for both nations, emphasizing the importance of strategic convergence amidst a changing global order. Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in More about Navtej Sarna - Navtej Sarna was born in 1957 to Punjabi litterateurs Mohinder Singh Sarna and Surjit Sarna. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1980 and served as an Indian diplomat for the next 38 years. His diplomatic journey included assignments in places as diverse as Moscow and Warsaw, Thimphu and Tehran. He held several critical appointments including as the Foreign Office Spokesman, India’s Ambassador to Israel, High Commissioner to the UK and Secretary to the Government of India. He retired from diplomatic service in 2018 as India’s ambassador to the United States.
Pursing a parallel passion as a writer, Navtej Sarna has written ten books that explore different genres – novels, short stories, travel, literary essays and translations. He has been a prolific columnist and commentator on policy, literary and cultural matters, contributing regularly to journals in India and abroad.
Sarna is now a full-time writer, dividing his time between New Delhi and Mashobra in the Shimla Hills. His latest work is the highly acclaimed historical novel, Crimson Spring. www.navtejsarna.in | X - https://x.com/navtejsarna https://www.navtejsarna.in/post/how-to-do-business-with-donald-trump-in-his-second-term Ashley Tellis Ashley J. Tellis is the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, specializing in international security and U.S. foreign and defense policy with a special focus on Asia and the Indian subcontinent. While on assignment to the U.S. Department of State as senior adviser to the undersecretary of state for political affairs, he was intimately involved in negotiating the civil nuclear agreement with India. Previously he was commissioned into the U.S. Foreign Service and served as senior adviser to the ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. He also served on the National Security Council staff as special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia. Prior to his government service, Tellis was senior policy analyst at the RAND Corporation and professor of policy analysis at the RAND Graduate School. He is a counselor at the National Bureau of Asian Research, the research director of its Strategic Asia program, and co-editor of the program’s eighteen most recent annual volumes, including this year’s Strategic Asia: Reshaping Economic Interdependence in the Indo-Pacific. He is the author of Striking Asymmetries: Nuclear Transitions in Southern Asia (2022) and India’s Emerging Nuclear Posture (2001), the co-author of Interpreting China’s Grand Strategy: Past, Present, and Future (2000), and the co-editor of Getting India Back on Track (2014) and Grasping Greatness: Making India a Leading Power (2022) among other significant publications. https://carnegieendowment.org/people/ashley-j-tellis TIB offers a deep dive into India’s dynamic landscape. Hosted by academic Mukulika Banerjee and journalist Pragya Tiwari, this podcast delivers insightful updates on India’s politics, economy, and culture. Whether you’re studying, investing, or simply curious about the country, join us for crisp conversations and debates that decode India’s role in global affairs. | |||
| 25 Oct 2024 | India-Canada relations with special guest Suhasini Haider | 00:38:07 | |
In today’s episode, we look at the complex web of India-Canada relations in light of the allegations surrounding India's involvement in the assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. We also speak with Foreign Affairs expert Suhasini Haider who has been monitoring the situation closely. Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in | |||
| 22 Nov 2024 | Delhi Pollution: Crisis in the Capital | 00:32:14 | |
In this episode, our hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari discuss the severe air pollution crisis in Delhi, particularly during the winter months. They explore the various causes of pollution, including stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollution, as well as the health impacts on the population. We also cover government responses, the political dynamics surrounding pollution policy, and the broader implications of climate change, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions and the importance of keeping the conversation alive beyond the immediate crisis. Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in | |||
| 22 Mar 2025 | Mughal History as a window to Modern India | 01:03:06 | |
This episode of The India Briefing delves into The Great Mughals exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum, which celebrates the artistic and cultural achievements of the Mughal Empire’s golden age (1560–1660). Hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari are joined by historian and author Ira Mukhoty to explore the dynasty’s true origins, the influence of Mughal women, and the rich artistic legacy left behind by Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan. Through a discussion of rare artifacts—including Persian manuscripts, mother-of-pearl shields, and European-inspired paintings—this episode unpacks how the Mughals shaped India’s pluralistic identity and aesthetic traditions. The conversation also highlights the cosmopolitan nature of the Mughal court, the interplay of different cultural influences, and the lasting imprint of Mughal art and patronage on Indian history. As the exhibition runs until 5th May, this episode serves as a compelling companion for those looking to understand the deeper historical context behind the objects on display. Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in Show notes
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| 16 Apr 2025 | Nobel Laureate Esther Duflo on Poverty, Inequality, and Policy | 00:59:53 | |
In this special episode of The India Briefing, Nobel Laureate and development economist Esther Duflo joins hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pya Tiwari for a wide-ranging conversation on poverty, inequality, and evidence-based policymaking in India. Duflo, whose path breaking work on Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) has transformed development economics, reflects on two decades of field research across India through the lens of J-PAL—the global research centre she co-founded to reduce poverty by ensuring policy is informed by scientific evidence. From Tamil Nadu’s welfare innovations to the promise and pitfalls of cash transfers, the episode unpacks the structural realities of India’s poverty alleviation strategies, and the urgent need for better data. Duflo also speaks candidly about common misconceptions about the poor, why children from low-income households struggle in school, and how the role of economists has shifted—from prescribing grand theories to fixing the plumbing of policy. With insights into the gender gap in labour force participation, the unequal impact of climate change, and the evolving welfare state, this episode is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand how India can shape a more equitable future. Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in Further Links -
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| 15 Oct 2024 | State Elections in Haryana and Jammu & Kashmir | 00:48:19 | |
In the first major state elections after India's parliamentary elections earlier this year, the strife torn Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the state of Haryana went to polls in October 2024. Political anthropologist, Mukulika Banerjee and writer, Pragya Tiwari, discuss the significance of the polls, give you a lowdown of the electoral battle and outcomes, and analyse what the results mean for the states, the country and its major political parties. Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in | |||
| 15 Oct 2024 | Introducing The India Briefing | 00:04:44 | |
India is the world’s most populous country, with a median age of 28 and an emerging economic powerhouse. Whatever happens here is bound to have an impact on the future of business, climate change, jobs, geopolitics and much more around the world. And yet there is no singular reliable source where you can go to make sense of the country. The India Briefing aims to fill this gap. Through crisp conversations and, sometimes debates, we will give a round up of everything you need to know to understand the politics, economy and culture in India - whether you are studying the country, investing in it, working there, or are just ‘India curious’. Hosted by Mukulika Banerjee, political anthropologist at the LSE and writer of multiple books on Indian democracy and elections, and Pragya Tiwari, senior journalist and editor, with two decades of experience in Indian politics and policy, the podcast will marry academic rigor with journalistic precision. Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in | |||
| 21 Dec 2024 | Cash Transfer for Women: The New Trend Shaping Indian Electoral Politics | 00:19:01 | |
In this episode of The India Briefing, hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari discuss the growing trend of Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) targeted at women voters, especially in the context of electoral politics. Women in India have historically been viewed as a bloc tied to their family, caste, or community, but in recent years, political parties have increasingly targeted them as an independent voting group. Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in Further Reading - http://www.jstor.org/stable/23391448 http://www.jstor.org/stable/23017228 http://www.jstor.org/stable/43202584 http://www.jstor.org/stable/41419797 http://www.jstor.org/stable/23017224. https://www.ceew.in/publications/lessons-worlds-largest-subsidy-benefit-transfer-scheme https://www.epw.in/journal/2024/48/general-elections-2024/technology-votes.html https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/patriarchal-political-order/9262E786791FBF6090313B50520F6A31 https://www.rediff.com/news/interview/direct-transfer-of-money-is-bribing-voters/20241126.htm | |||
| 10 Mar 2025 | Citizens as Cultivars of Democracy | 00:49:13 | |
In this episode, Pragya Tiwari and Mukulika Banerjee take a step back from the news cycle to reflect on the broader question of democracy and how we can ‘cultivate’ it. They use the idea of ‘cultivating democracy’ as a framework to look at the socio-political faultlines that impact the health of democracies world over. The discussion is based on Mukulika’s recent inaugural lecture at the London School of Economics. It also links with Pragya’s work as a journalist, on how democracy manifests and operates on ground. This broad discussion on democratic ethos travels from rural farmlands to international universities and attempts to supplement conversations on democratic rights and institutions. Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in Show notes :
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| 14 Jan 2025 | Making Sense of India with Amit Varma and Milan Vaishnav | 01:33:36 | |
In this episode of the India Briefing, we speak with Milan Vaishnav, host of The Grand Tamasha and Amit Varma, host of The Seen and the Unseen on the lessons, the critical ideas and observations that they have encountered through conversations across the years and how they have helped shape their understanding of India. Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in Episode Notes: The Seen and the Unseen with Amit Varma Everything and Everything with Amit Varma and Ajay Shah The Grand Tamasha Podcast with Milan Vaishnav Re-examining America’s bet on India - Milan Vaishnav and Ashley Tellis Ashley J. Tellis on India’s China conundrum The Incredible Curiosities of Mukulika Banerjee Sowmya Dhanaraj Is Making a Difference Amitava Kumar Finds His Gulmohar Tree The Life and Times of Mrinal Pande The Life and Times of Ira Pande Swapna Liddle and the Many Shades of Delhi Rakhshanda Jalil Watches the Changing World The Life and Times of Shanta Gokhale The Life and Times of Jerry Pinto The Gentle Wisdom of Pratap Bhanu Mehta What Have We Done With Our Independence? - Pratap Bhanu Mehta joins Amit Varma Ram Guha Writes a Letter to a Friend Kashmir and Article 370 - Srinath Raghavan joins Amit Varma The Citizenship Battles - Srinath Raghavan joins Amit Varma The Loneliness of the Indian Woman - Shrayana Bhattacharya joins Amit Varma The Loneliness of the Indian Man - Nikhil Taneja joins Amit Varma The Forces that Shaped Hinduism - Manu Pillai joins Amit Varma Ranjit Hoskote is Dancing in Chains Taking On India’s Patriarchal Political Order Cultivating Democracy: Politics and Citizenship in Agrarian India by Mukulika Banerjee Is India a Flailing State?: Detours on the Four Lane Highway to Modernization by Lant Pritchet The Indian Supreme Court in the Modi Era Decoding the 2024 Indian General Elections The Gita Press and Hindu Nationalism - Akshaya Mukul joins Amit Varma Hindutva and Violence: V.D. Savarkar and the Politics of History by Vinayak Chaturvedi The Ferment of our Founders - Shruti Kapila joins Amit Varma The Life and Times of Indian Economy - Rajeswari Sengupta joins Amit Varma
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| 11 Feb 2025 | The State of Indian Muslims in 2025 with Christophe Jaffrelot | 00:37:45 | |
Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari interview Professor Christophe Jaffrelot, a prominent scholar on violence, caste, and Indian politics, currently leading the research projectThe Indian Muslim Today at Sciences Po, where he is a Professor and CERI-CNRS Senior Research Fellow. The Indian Muslims Today is part of a 4-year research project, Indian Muslims at a time of Hindu Majoritarianism, generously funded by the Henry Luce Foundation and Columbia University, and run by Sciences Po with collaboration from Princeton. The project aims at presenting, through various media, an image of the situation and lives of India’s largest minority community. It seeks to inform students, academia, the media as well as the general public. Some of the content presented here is new and emerges from the fieldwork and academic research of the 50-odd core team which contributed to the project. The conversation delves into key themes such as socio-economic conditions, institutional exclusion, communal violence, ghettoization, and the decline of Muslim leadership. Jaffrelot underscores the growing climate of fear among researchers and the evolving influence of social media on public narratives. His research highlights the persistent marginalization of Muslims in India, particularly in northern regions, despite perceptions of them as a "pampered minority." Educational dropouts and the decline of Urdu in the north are highlighted as concerning trends. Nonetheless, Jaffrelot remains optimistic about the potential for inclusive policies and development-driven progress. Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in References
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| 01 Feb 2025 | India's Cultural History as Told Through its Quintessential Garment, the Sari | 01:13:42 | |
In this episode of The India Briefing, hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari delve into the enduring legacy of the sari with author and publisher Malvika Singh. Her latest book, Saris of Memory, intertwines her personal life story with India’s post-independence journey, using the sari as a central motif. The discussion explores the sari's role as a modern garment, its functionality, cultural identity, and potential for empowerment, while also addressing the challenges faced by artisans and the need for institutional support to preserve India's rich textile heritage. Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in Show Notes - Saris of Memory by Malvika Singh The Sari by Mukulika Banerjee and Daniel Miller https://www.amazon.in/Sari-Mukulika-Banerjee/dp/1859737323 Pupul Jayakar https://mapacademy.io/article/pupul-jayakar/ Martand Singh https://mapacademy.io/article/martand-singh/ Rajiv Sethi https://khojstudios.org/supporter/rajiv-sethi-scenographers/ Ahalya Matthan https://www.theregistryofsarees.com/ Rehwa Society Sally Holkar https://mapacademy.io/article/sally-holkar/ Laila Tyabji https://mapacademy.io/article/laila-tyabji/ Dastakar https://www.dastkar.org/about-us/ Uzramma https://www.india-seminar.com/2003/523/523%20uzramma.htm Khadi and Village Industries Corporation https://www.kvic.gov.in/kvicres/index.php Crafts Council of India https://www.craftscouncilofindia.in/ Shama Pawar https://baromarket.in/collections/shama-pawar Jaya Jaitly https://mapacademy.io/article/jaya-jaitly/ Dolly Jain (Instagram) https://www.instagram.com/dolly.jain/?hl=en | |||
| 01 Dec 2024 | The Adani Indictment I: View from the US | 00:41:57 | |
In this episode, our hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari delve into the indictment of Gautam Adani and others, exploring the serious charges of securities fraud and bribery under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and also speak to Jerry Roth and Avi Singh for their perspective. The discussion highlights the implications of US laws extending beyond its borders, the complexities of transnational litigation, and the geopolitical dimensions surrounding the case. The Adani Group's response to the allegations and the potential future of the indictment are also examined, emphasizing the intricate legal landscape that multinational corporations navigate. Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in | |||