All Things Policy

In episode 4 of SiliconPolitik, Stephen Ezell, VP of Global Innovation Policy, ITIF, talks to Satya Sahu about the Information Technology Agreement and how trade policy is instrumental in creating India's Semiconductor Ecosystem.

In popular discourse, the terms "dependence" and "vulnerability" are often used interchangeably. You might be dependent on an adversary but does that make you vulnerable? It is essential to recognise that not all forms of dependence can be considered vulnerabilities, and not all vulnerabilities hold the same significance level. To shed light on this issue, Bharath Reddy engages in a conversation with Amit Kumar and Anushka Saxena to explore a framework for classifying various vulnerabilities and how states respond to them. Read the discussion document here: Takshashila Discussion Document – Defining Dependence-induced Vulnerabilities in Asymmetrical Trade Interdependence: A Conceptual Framework

In this episode of All Things Policy, Amit Kumar and Anushka Saxena discuss highlights of the recently concluded 'emergency' session of the Chinese National People's Congress Standing Committee, where the fate of Qin Gang and private sector firms was collectively decided, through the decision to remove the former from the post of Foreign Minister, and the addition of the latter under the ambit of the Chinese criminal law anti-bribery provisions. The Op-Eds referenced in the episode are as follows: Limelight On Nobody: Qin Gang’s Removal - Strategic News Global China’s Draft Criminal Law Amendment Eyes Corruption in Private Firms – The Diplomat

Forensic science offers a toolkit of techniques from fingerprinting to ballistics to DNA analysis, which can aid the police in solving crimes and gathering evidence for criminal trials. In this episode of Policy Chowki, Shrikrisnna Upadhyaya speaks to experts in the field of forensics and policing, Mr. Javeed Ahmad (ex-IPS & ex-DGP, Uttar Pradesh) and Dr. G.K. Goswami (IPS & Founder Director of Uttar Pradesh State Institute of Forensic Sciences) on the intersection of forensic science, police investigation, and criminal law. They discuss forms of forensic evidence, forensic frauds and procedural safeguards, and state capacity in forensic methods of investigation, in the context of ensuring a free and fair trial of the accused. Dr. G.K. Goswami can be reached at https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-g-k-goswami-ab16a729/. Readings: Forensic Law 2021 by Dr. G.K. Goswami "Skin-to-Skin Touch" for Defining Child Sexual Assault: Interpretational Vagaries of the POCSO Provisions" by Dr G.K. Goswami & Aditi Goswami Management of DNA Sampling in Rape Incidents by Dr. G.K. Goswami & Siddhartha Goswami You can find his other research work at https://www.researchgate.net/profile/G-K-Goswami.

The State of Rajasthan recently passed a law on social security for platform-based gig workers. Under the law, a 1-2 percent welfare cess will be levied on the value of every online transaction and the amounts will go into a welfare fund to be used for the benefit of gig workers. In this episode, Anupam Manur & Shrikrishna Upadhyaya discuss the drawbacks of the Rajasthan model of social security for gig workers. They dwell on the nature of gig jobs in India, problems with socialising social security in the form of a single fund, the responsibility of the state to offer universal social security to all its citizens, and alternative ways of securing social security for the gig workers. Readings: Indian gig workers ought to get a well-crafted social security net | Mint Don’t rush to mimic Rajasthan gig workers law Compensation for Accident Victims Isn’t a ‘Favour’ – and the State Must Be More Accountable

Every country advances its foreign policy objectives through public diplomacy initiatives via its embassies and consulates. Australia is no different. Through various economic, creative & cultural initiatives, Australia advocates their goals in India in their interactions with governments, businesses, societies, and individuals. In this episode, Carl Jaison speaks to Sarah Kirlew, Australia’s Consul General in Chennai about Australia’s various public diplomacy efforts in India, how it links to its larger foreign policy agenda, and the impact of grant programs like the Direct Aid Program

In this episode of All Things Policy, Anushka Saxena and Amit Kumar discuss China's muted response to the coup launched by Wagner Group Chied Yevgeny Prighozin against Russian President Vladimir Putin. They also throw some light on China's Private Security Company architecture and their operations abroad, as well as China's interactions with the international legal framework pertaining to such PMSCs.

Kingshuk Saha and Dr. Nithiyanandam Yogeswaran, Professor at the Takshashila Institution, discuss the upcoming mega dam China is planning to build on Yarlung Tsang Po at Medog County.

As cyberspace grows, cyber crimes have also increased in number and variety. In this episode of Police Chowki, Shrikrishna Upadhyaya quizzes Javeed Ahmad (ex-IPS & ex-DGP of Uttar Pradesh) and Dr. Aravind Chaturvedi (IPS & SP, Vigilance, Uttar Pradesh) on how to classify cyber crimes, aspects of cyber security, how should individuals and organisations protect themselves in the cyber world, and the police organisational structure and investigative methods in solving cyber crime. They also reflect on how cyber crimes are not merely a law & order matters, but a reflection of more significant socioeconomic reasons, in the context of the emergence of cybercrime hubs like Jamtara, Alwar, Nuh, and others.

In this episode of All Things Policy, Sowmya Nandan speaks to Devashish Dhar, author of India’s Bling Spot: Understanding and Managing Our Cities. Buy the book here: https://www.amazon.in/Indias-Blind-Spot-Understanding-Managing/dp/9354895204