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

Rahul Bajoria is the Head of India and ASEAN Economic Research at Bank of America (BofA).

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rahul Bajoria discusses the impact of falling rupee, inflation, foreign investment, AI's impact on jobs, and what lies ahead for the Indian economy.

He also explains why strengthening India's energy security is essential to protecting the economy from future global shocks.

00:00 - Introduction

00:33 - India's Growth Story

03:18 - Manufacturing in India

07:21 - Foreign Investment

09:29 - Investment Boost

13:16 - Inflation vs. Growth

14:56 - Oil Prices & the RBI's Next Move

16:35 - Indian Stock Market

18:46 - Investment Strategy

25:09 - India's Consumption Story

30:15 - Make in India & Exports

34:37 - AI, Jobs & Unemployment

44:12 - Bank Lending vs. Deposit Growth

52:20 - Falling Rupee

55:28 - Lessons from ASEAN Economies

1:00:18 - Risks to India's Economy

1:03:21 - Top 3 Economic Reforms for India

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

From Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal to Punjab, political equations are shifting across India. Is Prime Minister Narendra Modi still the defining force in Indian politics? Can Rahul Gandhi transform the Congress into a credible alternative? What role will regional parties play in shaping the next phase of Indian democracy? And is India moving towards a two-coalition political system?

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, senior journalists Neerja Chowdhury, Rasheed Kidwai and Shekhar Iyer join the discussion to analyse the changing political landscape.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

01:20 – TMC's Collapse

08:05 – Defections in TMC

15:10 – The Fall of Abhishek Banerjee

23:31 – Congress & Regional Parties

31:53 – Congress–TMC Merger?

37:57 – TVK-Congress Alliance

47:33 – Rahul Gandhi vs Modi in 2029?

54:27 – BJP's Core Voters

1:00:23 – Why Voters Relate to Modi

1:08:19 – Modi's Feedback Mechanism

1:14:44 – Rajasthan Congress & Sachin Pilot

1:24:46 – Punjab Assembly Polls 2027

1:31:58 – UP Polls 2027

1:38:48 – Journalists and Politicians

Reuven Azar is Israel's Ambassador to India. A career diplomat, he has held several key positions in Israel's foreign service and has been closely involved in shaping his country's foreign policy and international relations.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast, Reuven Azar speaks to Smita Prakash about the Iran–U.S. peace deal, Israel's position on Lebanon, the future of the Middle East, and whether the region is moving towards peace or another phase of conflict. He also discusses India-Israel ties and what has changed under the leadership of PM Modi.

00:00 – Introduction

00:55 – U.S.–Iran Peace Deal

07:45 – What Israel Wants Next

09:22 – Defence vs Aggression

18:00 – Trump & Netanyahu Relationship

19:47 – Iran’s Nuclear Program

24:32 – Strait of Hormuz Crisis

29:05 – Buffer Zones in Gaza, Lebanon & Syria

35:02 – Netanyahu Under Pressure?

43:04 – Humanitarian Cost of War

46:35 – Two-State Solution

51:50 – India–Israel Relations

53:10 – Israel’s Wartime Economy

55:24 – Modi’s Visit & Iran Strikes

59:18 – Six Shared India–Israel Values

1:03:21 – Trade & Investment Future

1:08:23 – Pakistan as a Mediator

Dr. V. Anantha Nageswaran is the Chief Economic Advisor to the Government of India. He is also a writer, author, and teacher. He has taught at several business schools and management institutes in India and Singapore. He was a part-time member of the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India from 2019 to 2021.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast, Dr. Nageswaran speaks to Smita Prakash about the future of the Indian economy, the impact of the West Asia crisis, the outlook for the rupee, and whether AI is a bubble. He also explains why he believes the era of the MBA is over.

00:00 - Introduction

00:56 - Foreign Investors

04:14 - Rupee-Dollar Debate

08:24 - Rupee Stability

14:20 - Foreign Banks

20:07 - Critics of India's Economy

28:20 - China's Manufacturing

33:09 - Unemployment in India

35:09 - Freebies Debate

44:24 - India's Aging Population

50:41 - Demographic Dividend

58:36 - The Skill Gap

1:00:21 - Artificial Intelligence

1:05:55 - India's Economic Strength

1:09:52 - Myths About Indian Economy

1:12:00 - India in 2047

1:18:22 - Per Capita Income

1:22:56 - Viksit Bharat Target

1:27:59 - Vision for India

1:36:42 - Old Economic Beliefs

1:38:07 - India's Economic Mindset

1:44:52 - Advice vs. Execution in Govt

1:48:40 - Fake News