In Focus by The Hindu

The first round of direct US-Iran talks has concluded in Bürgenstock, Switzerland, marking a major diplomatic development in the West Asia. Mediated by Qatar and Pakistan, the negotiations come as U.S. President Donald Trump pursues a dual-track strategy: engaging Tehran through diplomacy while keeping the threat of military action firmly on the table. But the talks have raised difficult questions in Israel.

In this podcast episode, we examine Israel's growing strategic dilemma and more.

Guest: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu

Host: Smriti Sudesh

Producer and editor: Jude Weston

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A discussion with Srinivasan Ramani on the controversies surrounding the 2026 World Cup, FIFA President Gianni Infantino's response and what ‘sportswashing’ looks like in this edition.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup has delivered dramatic matches, surprise results and compelling storylines. But beyond the football, the tournament has also become a flashpoint for debates about geopolitics, immigration and access. Iran's participation has been overshadowed by the fallout of a wider regional conflict, while visa denials and travel restrictions have raised questions about who gets to be part of football's biggest global event.

As the United States hosts the tournament alongside Mexico and Canada, critics have accused FIFA of failing to uphold its own message that football "unites the world". Has the Iranian contingent been treated fairly? Is this World Cup one of the least accessible for global fans in the tournament’s history? What will the legacy of this edition be for the game? And has FIFA done enough to push back against the terms dictated by a host nation?

Guest: Srinivasan Ramani, Deputy National Editor, The Hindu

Host: Reuben Joe Joseph 

Producer: Shiksha Jural

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Romila Thapar, an extraordinary scholar known for shaping our understanding of ancient Indian history, and for instituting critical inquiry at the heart of Indian historiography, has come out with an expansive memoir, titled ‘Just Being’.

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Cough syrup is in the news again. Earlier this week, the Central government notified an amendment to the Drugs Rules of 1945. Under this amendment, the sale of cough syrups is only permitted at licensed pharmacies. Earlier, the sale of certain cough syrups was permitted over the counter in retail outlets in villages with small populations of less than 1,000 people, where licensed pharmacies may not have existed. This has now been changed to strengthen regulatory oversight. This means that cough syrups everywhere can be sold only at licensed pharmacies and with a doctor’s prescription, not over the counter. This comes just months after the tragic deaths of 24 children in Madhya Pradesh, who died after consuming cough syrup adulterated with diethylene glycol.

The question however is how far this will go to solve the problem of cough syrups in India. Are the vast majority of cough syrups available rational medications and how and when should they be used? Should the other end of the system – granting of permissions to manufacture cough syrups and mechanisms to ensure they are completely safe not also be strengthened? Is there a need for health education when it comes to over the counter medicines?

Guest: Dr. Anant Phadke who is with the All India Drug Action Network, a national network that advocates for rational and affordable drug policies in India

Host: Zubeda Hamid

Producer: Jude Francis Weston

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India is witnessing an unprecedented expansion in higher education. Over the past decade, thousands of new colleges and universities have been established, producing millions of graduates every year. Yet unemployment of the educated remains a growing concern. Nearly one in three graduates are unemployed. 

Is India producing more graduates than what the economy can absorb? Here, we discuss the question.

Guests: Rajan Wadhera, Former President, Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra; O. R. S. Rao, Vice-Chancellor, ICFAI University, Sikkim

Host: M. Kalyanaraman

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When someone says ‘sex work’ in India, what do you assume? That it is illegal and that everyone involved in it is probably a victim of trafficking? The reality however, is far more nuanced. An adult engaging in voluntary sex work is not a crime in India. Running a brothel, public solicitation, other activities connected to sex work and human trafficking, however, are crimes. About two weeks ago, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark judgement hinged on this distinction spelling out clearly that a voluntary sex worker could not be treated in the same manner as a trafficked victim. It said that a raid cannot now sweep up all women found in red light area and confines them in protection homes – it must determine if she is a victim of trafficking or a voluntary worker and that the woman’s consent must be the primary consideration when it comes to rehabilitation.

What does this judgement mean for sex work in India? Do our laws on sex work need to change? Why does rescue and rehabilitation in India invariably mean confinement in a home and how do other countries navigate this?

Guest: Prof. Prabha Kotiswaran, Professor of Law and Social Justice at King’s College, London

Host: Zubeda Hamid

Producer: Jude Francis Weston

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Last week, OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, confidentially filed for an initial public offering in the United States. With a valuation of more than $850 billion, it could become one of the largest tech listings ever. 

The move marks a significant milestone for a company that began in 2015 as a not for profit research lab. In 2022, ChatGPT was launched, and the company changed its structure and attached a for-profit entity.

That change did not please everyone. Elon Musk, who helped fund OpenAI in its early years before falling out with the company's leadership, filed a lawsuit in 2024 questioning the change. He argued that OpenAI moved away from its original mission. He accused founder Sam Altman and president Greg Brockman of manipulating him into donating to a not-for-profit organisation and then attaching a for-profit subsidiary and accepting billions from Microsoft. 

In May, a jury ruled against Musk on procedural grounds, though he has said he will appeal. He is also pursuing a separate antitrust case against OpenAI and Microsoft.

Guest: Rahul Singh, Associate Professor of Law, National Law School of India University

Host: Nivedita V

Edited by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian

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After 100 days of conflict, the U.S. and Iran have agreed to a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the war. But can the deal hold? We unpack the reported 14-point framework, ceasefire provisions, sanctions relief, nuclear commitments, the role of Pakistan and Qatar in mediation, Israel's response, and the challenges that could derail the agreement during the crucial 60-day negotiation period ahead.

Guest: Stanly Johny, International Affairs Editor, The Hindu

Host: Smriti Sudesh

Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian

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Journalist and author Sandeep Menon explores the tactics, form and what to expect from the top contenders and underdogs to watch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup

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Bangladesh is at a critical political turning point under a BNP-led government. In this episode, we explore what the return of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party under Tarique Rahman means for political stability, governance, and institutions. We also examine India–Bangladesh relations, regional dynamics, and key economic challenges including inflation, reserves, and growth pressures.

Guest: Avinash Paliwal, Author

Host: Smriti Sudesh

Edited and published by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian

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