Manish Tewari is a senior Congress leader, lawyer and Member of Parliament from Chandigarh. He previously represented Ludhiana and Anandpur Sahib in the Lok Sabha and served as Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting. He is also an author and has been active in Indian politics for over four decades.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the Cockroach Janta Party protest, the NEET controversy, police action against students, Rahul Gandhi’s protest and the Parliament deadlock. He also speaks about the Punjab Congress, the 2027 Assembly elections, Operation Sindoor, his viral interaction with PM Modi.

00:00 – Introduction

01:16 – Cockroach Janta Party

06:01 – Political Involvement

07:36 – INDIA Alliance

14:36 – PM Residence Protest

15:54 – Pradhan’s Resignation

17:43 – Parliament Washout

20:05 – Anti-Defection Law

36:18 – Interaction with PM Modi

40:28 – Journey Through Congress

43:45 – Punjab Elections 2027

45:46 – Operation Sindoor

51:32 – Father’s Assassination

56:15 – Political Entry

57:52 – Rajiv Gandhi

01:01:53 – Punjabiyat

01:05:32 – Punjab Partition

01:10:43 – Satluj Movie

01:12:26 – Accidental Prime Minister

01:14:29 – Chandigarh Connection

01:16:50 – Partition Trauma

01:20:20 – Bittu Traitor Remark

01:26:19 – Bhagwant Mann

01:31:57 – US Trade Deal

01:35:02 – Conclusion

Arnab Ray, also known as Greatbong, is known for his satirical commentary on Indian politics, society, and popular culture. He is an author and holds a PhD in Computer Science.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Arnab Ray discusses racism against Indians, the H-1B visa crackdown, AI-driven job cuts, and the changing American Dream.

00:00 – Introduction

01:33 – Image of Indian Immigrants

05:55 – Challenges for Indian Immigrants

10:23 – Indian American Cultural Identity

17:10 – Political Influence of Immigrants

27:20 – H-1B Crackdown

32:41 – Indian Students in U.S.

40:01 – NRI Stereotype

46:01 – Indian Politics and NRI Connection

53:53 – Indian Diaspora and Political Polarisation

59:09 – Jimmy Kimmel Controversy

1:07:18 – Rise of BJP in Bengal

Medha Bhaskaran is an author and researcher known for her work on Maratha history. She has written extensively about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj and Maharani Tarabai.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Medha Bhaskaran explores the long conflict between the Marathas and the Mughal Empire.

She also discusses Aurangzeb’s Deccan campaign, the destruction of temples, Shivaji Maharaj’s military leadership, Maharani Tarabai’s resistance, Tipu Sultan and the continuing debate over how Indian history has been written.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

00:56 – Life in Dubai

05:31 – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj

10:16 – Mughal-era Violence

15:36 – Aurangzeb's Deccan Wars

22:27 – Aurangzeb's Family Conflicts

31:25 – Idea of Hindavi Swarajya

45:29 – Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj’s Legacy

52:40 – Untold Story of Maharani Tarabai

58:54 – Maratha Weapons

1:02:43 – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's Final Days

1:07:34 – How Shivaji Maharaj Became Chhatrapati

1:22:25 – Rewriting Indian History

1:28:57 – Story of Tarabai’s Courage

R.V.S. Mani is a former Under Secretary in the Internal Security Division of Ministry of Home Affairs and a public commentator on national security. He was conferred the Padma Shri in 2026 and is the author of The Myth of Hindu Terror: An Insider's Account of the Ministry of Home Affairs (2006–2010).

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, R.V.S. Mani speaks about the origins of the "Hindu Terror" narrative.

He also discusses the truth behind the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, Ishrat Jahan case, Beant Singh assassination, Pakistan-backed terror funding through fake currency and India's evolving internal security strategy.

00:00 – Introduction

00:54 – On Receiving Padma Shri Award 2026

02:34 – "Hindu Terror" Narrative

12:22 – 2006 Malegaon Blast Case

21:10 – 2007 Samjhauta Express Bombings

32:56 – 26/11 Mumbai Terror Attacks

51:32 – Pakistan's Fake Currency & Terror Network

54:18 – Ishrat Jahan Encounter Case

1:05:46 – CBI Questioning of R.V.S. Mani

1:14:21 – Fake Currency Empire of Khanani Brothers

1:33:53 – Cross-Border Drug Trafficking

1:37:10 – Beant Singh Assassination Case

1:39:34 – Lessons on National Security

Surjit Bhalla is an economist, author, and columnist. He was a part-time member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Economic Advisory Council. He also served as Executive Director at the IMF for India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Sri Lanka.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Surjit Bhalla shares his views on why India may not achieve its Viksit Bharat goal by 2047 if it continues with business as usual. He also says, "Senior babus who make decisions but are never held accountable are India's real deep state."

The conversation covers Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India's economy, the rupee, China, foreign direct investment, demonetisation, GDP, and the reforms India needs to accelerate economic growth.

00:00 – Introduction

03:03 – India's Economic Future

12:51 – Why India Overprotects Its Industries

16:42 – Lessons From Vietnam

21:07 – Viksit Bharat 2047 Target Realistic?

24:25 – India's Growth Story

36:43 – Why India Hesitates to Reform

42:24 – Agriculture and Dairy Sector

50:14 – China's Agriculture Model

56:39 – Manufacturing in West Bengal

1:01:15 – India's Next Window for Reforms

1:09:46 – Why Isn't FDI Coming to India?

1:13:51 – India's Job Challenge

1:21:13 – The Freebies Debate

1:30:06 – Demonetisation

1:34:27 – India's Middle Class Really Growing?

1:38:11 – Advice for Prime Minister Modi

Tilak Devasher is the author of four widely acclaimed books on Pakistan and a former member of the National Security Advisory Board. He lives and breathes Pakistan, closely tracking its politics, military, and society.

Uttam Kumar Sinha is a scholar and commentator on transboundary rivers, climate change, and the Arctic. He is a Senior Fellow at the Manohar Parrikar Institute of Defence Studies and Analyses and the author of 'Trial by Water: Indus Basin and India-Pakistan Relations' (2025) and 'Indus Basin Uninterrupted' (2021).

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the Indus Waters Treaty, signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, and how it has become the latest flashpoint between the two countries. Will Pakistan face a water crisis due to the suspension of the treaty? More on Ayub Khan, Nehru, Modi and Asim Munir.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

02:00 – Indus Waters Treaty Geography

07:54 – Nehru's Vision

14:39 – Importance of Chenab

22:12 – Pakistan's Water Crisis

27:50 – India's Dam Projects

35:40 – Abeyance of Water Treaty

40:07 – India's Water Storage Capacity

46:20 – Chenab-Beas Link Project

54:49 – Pak's Diplomatic Strategy

1:03:20 – How Indus Waters Treaty Was Signed

1:11:23 – Pakistan's Internal Water Conflict

1:18:10 – India's Narrative

Talmiz Ahmad is one of India’s most experienced diplomats, with decades of work across West Asia, the Gulf, and global strategic affairs. A former Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE, he has watched world politics change from the front row.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he says Benjamin Netanyahu misled Donald Trump by promising a quick victory in Iran, only for the war to drag on. He calls Trump an unpredictable leader, argues that U.S.-Israel ties have suffered, discusses Pakistan's role in the peace talks, and explains why the Iran war is India's war because New Delhi's strategic interests lie in the Gulf.

00:00 – Introduction

01:35 – US-Iran Talks

03:51 – Netanyahu's Influence

06:33 – Trump's Shift on Israel

10:26 – Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

14:18 – Hegemon in West Asia

21:25 – Trump Vs Netanyahu

26:59 – Pakistan's Role

33:49 – Netanyahu's War Strategy

37:27 – Gulf's Response to Israel

43:29 – Pakistan's Influence

52:36 – Why West Asia Matters to India

57:27 – New Multipolar World Order

Pathikrit Payne has over 20 years of experience in journalism and policy analysis. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation.

Sanjay Bhardwaj is the former Chairperson of the Centre for South Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University's School of International Studies. He specialises in India's foreign policy towards its neighbours, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and China.

In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the Gen Z-led protests in India's neighbouring countries, the rise of the Cockroach Janata Party, and whether Gen Z has the power to influence or even topple a government in India.

00:00 - Introduction

01:40 - Youth in West Bengal & Tamil Nadu

13:55 - Youth Protests Around the World

21:44 - Challenges to Democracy

33:53 - Are India's Youth Angry?

46:04 - Gen Z Protests

1:02:10 - The Sanatan Debate

1:12:40 - Do Neighbours Distrust India?

1:24:33 - India-Bangladesh Relations

1:37:57 - The Aspirations of Today's Youth