Rajeev Shukla is often described as one of India’s most well-connected public figures. Jokingly, many call him ‘Omnipresent’ Rajeev Shukla. Over the years, he has built friendships across political party lines and developed close ties with Bollywood stars, leading businessmen, and cricketers alike.

In a career spanning nearly four decades, Rajeev Shukla has worn many hats. He began his professional journey as a journalist in Kanpur. Today, he represents the Congress party in the Rajya Sabha. He has also served as a Minister of State in a Congress-led government, is currently the Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and has earlier been the Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rajeev Shukla reflects on why he is often called “everyone’s friend” and how he has managed to maintain relationships across political divides. He speaks about his early days in journalism, his association with the Gandhi family, and his decision to join the Congress party. He also shares his deep love for cricket and fondly recalls his time as the manager of the Indian cricket team.

Indrani Bagchi is the CEO of Ananta Centre, a platform for dialogue, leadership, and public policy. She has many years of experience covering the Ministry of External Affairs and is known for explaining global events from an Indian point of view. Earlier, she served as the Diplomatic Editor at The Times of India.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Indrani Bagchi talks about how Donald Trump’s policies have changed America. She says the U.S. tariffs on India feel personal and explains how India should respond. She also points out that Europe has been hit the hardest by Trump’s foreign policy. According to her, the forces Trump has unleashed in America will not disappear anytime soon.

Timestamps

0:00 – Introduction

1:21 – The West vs China

6:21 – How Pakistan Balances USA and China

11:33 – China’s Influence in Asia

16:49 – Trump’s MAGA Worldview

23:01 – China’s Economic Leverage

36:57 – Why India Needs ‘MIGA’ Movement

42:02 – India as Counterbalance to China

55:08 – Indian diaspora vs Chinese diaspora influence

1:04:24 – India’s Flexible Foreign Policy

1:16:22 – India’s Long-Term Vision for US

Gaddam Dharmendra is a former Indian Foreign Service officer who joined the service in 1990. He served in senior diplomatic roles for over three decades and was India’s Ambassador to Iran from 2019 to 2023. He is known for his deep understanding of West Asia, sanctions, and regional politics.

Dr Waiel Awwad is a Syrian-born journalist based in South Asia who covers Middle East affairs. He has reported from several war zones. During the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, he was caught in an ambush while reporting from the ground and narrowly escaped execution. Also joining the podcast is ANI Director Ishaan Prakash.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the Iran crisis and the future of the Khamenei regime. They talk about possible US intervention, whether Iran’s Khamenei regime could fall, and who might take over if that happens. The conversation also examines what the people of Iran truly want and how today’s protests differ from the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

00:00 — Introduction

01:13 — Inside Iran’s Protests

12:42 — Gulf States Against US Strike Over Iran

16:35 — Trump’s Appeal to Iranian Protesters

22:09 — Iran Regime Change Soon?

25:08 — Iranian Institutions

27:50 — Iran’s Nuclear Program

37:28 — US-Iran Negotiation Talks

48:25 — The Iran–Israel Conflict

51:10 — US Sanctions on Iran

57:20 — US Media Coverage of Iran

1:06:28 — Pro-Government Rallies in Iran

1:13:45 — Iran’s Economic Crisis

Sukanta Majumdar is a Lok Sabha MP from Balurghat and serves as Union Minister of State for Education and Development of the North Eastern Region in the NDA government.

In this episode of The ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sukanta Majumdar discusses the high-stakes politics of West Bengal ahead of the 2026 polls.

He claims that Bengal government documents were found at Pratik Jain’s residence, whose company, I-PAC, handles the political campaign of the TMC.

Sukanta also speaks about West Bengal’s changing demographics and their political impact, concerns over democracy under the TMC and the Left’s alleged alignment with the TMC.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

00:57 – ED vs Mamata over I-PAC Raids

06:42 – President’s Rule in Bengal?

10:02 – Bengali vs Non-Bengali Politics

14:42 – Infiltration in West Bengal

20:45 – Demographic Changes in Bengal

24:33 – Who Will Be BJP’s CM Face?

29:32 – Amartya Sen and SIR Controversy

34:59 – Jobs Crisis in Bengal

38:42 – Rise of New Parties in Bengal Politics

42:16 – Industrial Decline in Bengal

50:28 – Post-Poll Violence in Bengal

56:55 – BJP’s Roadmap for 2026 Bengal Polls

Ambassador Ashok Sajjanhar served in the Indian Foreign Service for over three decades. During his distinguished career, he served as India’s Ambassador to Kazakhstan, Sweden, and Latvia, and held key diplomatic assignments in Washington, D.C., Brussels, Moscow, Geneva, Tehran, Dhaka, and Bangkok. Today, Ambassador Sajjanhar regularly writes and speaks on issues related to international relations and India’s foreign policy.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ambassador Sajjanhar discusses the United States’ actions in Venezuela and what this means for global politics. He also talks about Chinese weaponry, which he claims failed to perform during the Venezuelan crisis. The conversation further explores why Indian godmen enjoy a massive following in South American countries, a phenomenon that often surprises many.

Ambassador Sajjanhar also shares his views on Donald Trump’s interest in buying Greenland, the way the US is handling trade negotiations with India, and what the future may hold for India’s foreign policy.

00:00 – Introduction

01:08 – US move to capture Maduro legitimate?

04:33 – Narco-terrorism charges against Venezuela

05:54 – When US captured Manuel Noriega (1989)

08:27 – Can the US run Venezuela?

11:41 – Venezuela is not just about oil

15:21 – Venezuela & Sathya Sai Baba connection

17:54 – Can Trump buy Greenland?

20:17 – Europe on Venezuela crisis & Greenland

24:31 – Putin’s war in Ukraine legitimate?

26:20 – China’s weapons failed in Venezuela

29:05 – China vs USA: The No. 1 global rivalry

34:00 – Will China invade Taiwan?

37:10 – India’s response to Maduro's capture

41:54 – India’s crude oil needs

44:19 – India–USA trade tensions

50:14 – India’s pivot towards China

52:28 – China–Pakistan–Bangladesh nexus

J. Sai Deepak is a senior advocate at the Supreme Court of India and a well-known author. His books include 'India, That Is Bharat: Coloniality, Civilisation, Constitution' and 'India, Bharat and Pakistan: The Constitutional Journey of a Sandwiched Civilisation.'

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, J. Sai Deepak talks about the demographic changes taking place in India’s border areas and how these shifts could impact India’s democracy, governance and policy-making. He explains why India needs a special Immigration Task Force to deal with the issue of illegal immigration.

He also discusses the SIR controversy, the North-South divide and also describes demography as the last battle to protect Hindu civilisation and warns that India cannot afford to take this issue lightly.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

01:22 – SIR Exercise Across India

06:47 – Illegal Migrants in West Bengal

14:04 – Mamata’s Stance on Illegal Migrants

20:05 – Politics Around Illegal Migration

24:42 – How India’s Border Areas Have Changed

31:00 – How India Can Address Illegal Migration

32:55 – Pawan Kalyan’s Political Influence

34:18 – North–South Population Debate

40:33 – The North–South Divide

46:11 – Tax Devolution in India

52:09 – How Owaisi Won Seats in Bihar

59:07 – Left vs Right Wing

01:04:02 – Oxford Union Debate Controversy

01:12:43 – Demographics and Cultural Debates

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, we are joined by Constantino Xavier, Senior Fellow in Foreign Policy and Security Studies at the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP), and Dinkar Srivastava, former diplomat and Distinguished Fellow at the Vivekananda International Foundation.

They discuss the upcoming elections in Bangladesh, the future of the Awami League, and the role of Sheikh Hasina. The conversation also revolves around at growing concerns about minorities, including Hindus in Bangladesh. Is there a rising wave of Islamisation? And how should India move forward in its ties with Dhaka?

Pakistan is also in focus. The guests talk about the rise of Asim Munir, the new boss of all things military and nuclear in Pakistan. Can the threat of another terror attack from Pakistan be ruled out?

The episode also explores how China and the United States are shaping choices in South Asia, and what India’s response should be in a changing regional scenario.

00:00 – Introduction

01:45 – Why Asim Munir Took CDF Role

05:54 – The Fall of Pervez Musharraf

07:43 – Can Pakistan Attack India Again?

15:03 – Will Bangladesh Hold Elections in February 2026?

25:37 – Imran Khan vs Asim Munir

32:39 – Rising Islamisation in Bangladesh

44:20 – Rohingya Crisis Explained

47:15 – Role of Pakistan Army in Politics

51:03 – When ISI Trained Guns on Dinkar Srivastava

01:11:40 – Anti-India Sentiment in Bangladesh

01:23:50 – India as the Standard in Pakistan

01:30:15 – India’s Neighbourhood Strategy

Gaur Gopal Das is a life coach, author, and motivational speaker. He studied at the College of Engineering, Pune, and briefly worked with Hewlett Packard. Soon after, he chose a very different path and became a monk and has been living in an ashram in Mumbai for the past 26 years.

Over the years, he has studied ancient Indian philosophy along with modern psychology. For more than two decades, he has travelled across the world, sharing his thoughts with students, professionals, charities, and institutions. He has also spoken at the United Nations.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Gaur Gopal Das talks about whether religion and spirituality can be separated, and whether marriage is becoming an outdated idea. He shares insights into the life of a monk and explains why he chose this path.

In this New Year special episode, he also speaks about the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita and explains, in simple terms, what dharma truly means.

00:00 – Introduction

00:52 – Life of a Monk

07:56 – Understanding Spirituality

14:30 – Why Monks Wear Orange?

19:29 – Controlling Desires

23:03 – Dealing with Anger

30:49 – Spirituality vs Religion

34:38 – Power of Chanting Mantras

45:25 – Why Modi Gifted Gita to Putin?

57:39 – Who Should One Read Gita

01:03:33 – Spirituality and Politics

01:09:47 – Living with Differences

01:12:36 – Gen X vs Gen Z

01:17:43 – India and Its Adversaries

01:25:09 – Parenting in Digital Times

01:36:26 – Importance of Family Love

01:38:42 – Marriage an Outdated Concept?

01:46:33 – Gaur Gopal Das Married?

01:50:43 – How Relationships Grow

01:54:51 – Fixing Broken Relationships

02:00:04 – Couples Staying Together for Children

02:07:15 – Real vs Fake Gurus

02:09:44 – Handling Others’ Pain

02:14:36 – Does Fame Change Friends?

02:19:02 – Healthy Habits for Life

Sanjeev Sanyal is a historian, economist, author, and currently serves as a member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India.

In this edition of the Podcast with Smita Prakash, he uncovers colonial ‘lies’ in India’s history. He talks about his project on INSV Kaundinya, showcasing India’s ancient maritime exploration.

He speaks on the IndiGo crisis, freebies, pensions, and the future of India’s economy. He also explains urban challenges in Indian cities and GDP measurement tools.

*Timestamps*

00:00 – Introduction

01:08 – INSV Kaundinya Sailing Vessel History

04:54 – Sailing Training for INSV Kaundinya

09:12 – The Forgotten Chapters of Indian History

13:53 – Kalinga War & The Myths About Ashoka

16:55 – Indian History and Language

18:58 – India vs Big Tech: The Battle for Narrative

31:13 – Can India Build Its Own Tech Platforms?

33:44 – Indian Democracy

37:12 – The West on India’s Growth

41:42 – India Growing Without Creating Enough Jobs?

46:05 – India’s Skill Development in the 20th Century

51:44 – Universalisation of Education & NEP

53:32 – Bureaucracy & the Changing World

01:00:09 – Delhi Pollution

01:04:40 – Infrastructure Crisis in India

01:07:54 – Millionaires Leaving India

01:10:55 – Indigo Crisis & Monopoly Problem

01:11:53 – India’s Financial System

01:15:58 – Impact of Freebies & Pensions

01:22:03 – India’s Role in the Global Power Order

01:27:25 – Is India’s GDP Data Reliable?

The much-awaited episode of The ‘Real’ Samosa Caucus –Edition 7.0 is here, packed with raw, uncensored, and no-holds-barred conversations.

Joining the panel are:

Sushant Sareen, Senior Fellow at ORF

Tehseen Poonawalla, TV personality and political analyst

Anand Ranganathan, author and scientist

Abhijit Iyer-Mitra, Senior Fellow at the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies

This episode dives into issues like illegal immigration and demographic changes, rising radicalisation in Bangladesh, the Vande Mataram debate, the SIR showdown, internal security threats and India’s foreign policy challenges.

The panel also talks about propaganda in cinema, marriage in the modern world, and much more.

Don’t miss the sharp arguments and witty banter in this episode!

*Timestamps*

00:00 – Introduction

06:00 – Kangana, Mahua & Supriya at Jindal Wedding

11:48 – India’s Road Safety Crisis

18:35 – TV Panelists vs Anchors

28:36 – The ‘Godi Media’ Label

41:06 – Demography vs Democracy

48:28 – Congress Leadership & Rahul Gandhi

01:01:15 – India’s Education System

01:16:20 – Hindu Temples

01:26:48 – Islam in India

01:35:03 – Radicalism in Bangladesh

01:48:17 – Idea of Marriage in India

01:59:31 – Media & Celebrity Culture

02:10:20 – Putin’s Visit to India

02:22:45 – Karnataka Hate Speech Bill

02:30:18 – Hybrid Threats & Internal Radicalisation