In this episode, journalist Puja Mehra speaks to Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Affairs Editor of The Hindu, about what India’s failed trade deal with Donald Trump reveals about the country’s foreign policy. The discussion unpacks how India balances principles with pragmatism in global negotiations, the costs of missed opportunities in its own neighbourhood, and the deeper shifts from globalisation to populism that are reshaping trade worldwide. Suhasini also explains why India’s diplomatic space depends not only on economic choices but also on the strength of its democratic and pluralistic values.

Tune in for insights on how India can navigate uncertainty, define its red lines, and reset its strategy for the future.

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In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to Neelkanth Mishra, Chief Economist at Axis Bank, about the lessons India can draw from past currency wars to navigate the turbulent years ahead. They discuss how, in the decade after the collapse of the Bretton Woods system, countries devalued their currencies to gain trade advantages—and how similar pressures are resurfacing today as major economies look to depreciate their exchange rates. Drawing on global historical patterns, Mishra explains why India’s medium-term balance of payments outlook is relatively stable, but also why access to foreign capital and careful currency calibration will be crucial for sustaining growth.

He argues that the current period of global economic flux is a rare opportunity for India to take difficult but necessary reform decisions—removing barriers for entrepreneurs and farmers, improving access to technology, and building resilience against a more protectionist world order. Without such reforms, sustaining current growth rates could become a challenge.

Tune in for insights on how India can use a moment of global turbulence to drive structural change, sustain economic momentum, and emerge stronger in an era of competitive currency moves.

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In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to economist Dr. Rajiv Kumar about his new book “Everything All At Once: India and the Six Simultaneous Global Transitions” co-authored with Ishan Joshi. The book argues that at a time the world is in a geoeconomic and technological flux, India’s development goals cannot be met through “business as usual.” Drawing on decades of experience, Dr. Kumar explains that India is perhaps the only country in world history that must develop while reducing its carbon footprint at the same time.

This too at a time the US is abandoning its universalist approach, China is rising, and there is a widespread sense of unease in major capitals at the emergent fragmented world order. The sense of optimism at the end of the Cold War, despite lingering issues of power asymmetry and inequitable growth, has dissipated.

Dr. Kumar argues that Indian policymakers must ensure they are not seduced into tackling the ongoing transitions in either a piecemeal fashion or within a linear framework. The six global transitions demand a rethink of policy priorities. In the absence of such a construct, India faces the unsavoury prospect of being caught in the middle-income trap, and not achieving its aspirations of becoming a developed economy (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, he cautions.

Tune in for insights on how India needs to go about developing a new policy framework to successfully address the multiple simultaneous global challenges.

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In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to trade policy expert Prof. Abhijit Das about the India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that was signed on 24th July 2025 after years of negotiation. Hailed as a major breakthrough, the agreement promises tariff-free access for Indian exports like textiles, leather, and marine products, along with visa commitments for service professionals. But what lies beneath the surface?

Prof. Das explains why, despite the initial excitement, the fine print raises concerns—ranging from stringent UK standards in agriculture and environment to new subsidy notification obligations and a surprising shift in India’s position on compulsory licensing for medicines. He unpacks what India has agreed to in areas like Intellectual Property Rights, labour, and gender, and whether these concessions could come at the cost of future policy flexibility.

Tune in for insights and analysis of what this FTA really means for India’s exporters, its negotiating strategy, and its ability to shape trade policy in the years ahead.

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In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to trade policy expert Prof. Abhijit Das about the status of India’s trade negotiations with the United States under the Trump administration. While President Trump had promised 90 trade deals in 90 days, only two have materialised—one with the UK and another with Vietnam—and even those remain light on details. Meanwhile, Indian negotiators are in Washington for another round of talks, and expectations are high. Prof. Das explains what India is hoping to achieve, what makes these negotiations so complex, and why trade agreements with the US are rarely straightforward. He breaks down the behind-the-scenes dynamics, sticking points, and broader implications for India’s exporters and policy framework. Tune in for insights on what’s really going on in the room where the deals (or no-deals) happen.

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In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to senior aviation journalist Ashwini Phadnis and former Senior Deputy Editor at Business Line (aka The Hindu Business Line) about the long and chequered history of India’s civil aviation sector—from the post-Independence days of Air India under JRD Tata to the airline’s recent crash under Tata Group ownership. They trace how government policy, corporate decision-making, and regulatory uncertainty shaped the rise and fall of airlines like Jet Airways, Kingfisher, Air Deccan and Air Sahara. Ashwini draws on decades of reporting to unpack the behind-the-scenes politics, failed mergers, and missed opportunities that brought down some of India’s best-loved carriers. He also reflects on what made Indigo a standout success—and what Air India must fix if it is to rebuild trust. Tune in for insights into Indian aviation, past and present.

In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to Amit Basole, Professor of Economics and Head, Centre for Sustainable Employment and the lead author of the State of Working India report. They talk about why India’s unemployment challenge remains unresolved, why fixing the employment crisis goes beyond grand economic reforms, touching on issues like local governance, municipal underfunding, and the lack of coordination between ministries and levels of government. They also delve into what India’s demographic trends imply for the future, and whether the country risks “growing old before growing rich.” Tune in for insights into one of India's most urgent and complex economic problems.

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In this episode, author and journalist Puja Mehra speaks to trade policy expert Abhijit Das about what’s at stake for India in its free trade agreement (FTA) with developed economies like the UK. Why do countries push for non-trade clauses such as labour, environment, and gender standards in trade deals? How do intellectual property (IPR) obligations affect India’s ability to innovate? Drawing on his deep experience in global trade negotiations, Professor Das explains how developed countries often mask protectionist aims behind values-based clauses, how stringent standards can become new barriers to exports, and why India must be cautious about TRIPS-plus commitments. They also discuss how much FTAs actually contribute to export growth, and why domestic reforms—like cutting red tape and improving logistics—matter more for India's trade ambitions. Tune in for insights on how the fine print of FTAs can shape India’s economic future.

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