India's new trade pacts with the EU and US, and the big question: Will Delhi revisit its decision to abandon RCEP?

Synopsis: The Straits Times’ senior columnist Ravi Velloor distils 45 years of experience covering the Asian continent, with expert guests.

A flurry of trade agreements announced by India – first, a “mother of all trade deals” FTA with the European Union, and days later, a framework deal with the US that saw Washington slashing its punitive tariffs on Indian exports to levels just below that of Vietnam and Malaysia, involves wider strategic calculations on every side.

In this wide-ranging conversation, host Ravi Velloor speak to Ambassador Jawed Ashraf, Chairman of India Trade Promotion Organisation and former foreign policy aide to Prime Minister Narendra Modi who also served as envoy to Singapore and France, on the thinking behind the deals, India’s newfound confidence to sign on to market-opening agreements, and the chances of India revisiting its decision to abandon the Asean-backed RCEP, or Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

We discuss India’s trade imperatives, the tighter embrace by India of the European Union which is itself adjusting to a multipolar world, and how quality trade agreements help set the stage for foreign direct investment flows and stronger strategic ties. They also discuss the calibrated opening that India is making with China, even as it is not yet ready to revisit entering RCEP.

Highlights (click/tap above)

1:08 India withdrawal from RCEP and focus on bilateral relations

5:15 A greater alignment of trade with geopolitics

8:46 Roots of India’s “self-confidence” to sign trade deals

11:07 What the trade deals mean for ordinary Indians

14:11 EU looks to India, Taiwan in the AI age

18:14 EU-India, and a message to the US

20:53 Did Trump negotiate with a “gun to India’s head”?

24:18 Why stress on defence in US-India trade deal

27:01 RCEP: A calibrated opening is ongoing with China

Read Ravi's columns: https://str.sg/3xRP

Follow Ravi on X: https://twitter.com/RaviVelloor

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz 

Host: Ravi Velloor ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider Podcast on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7 

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8 

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#STAsianInsider

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The strong push towards artificial intelligence and support for vulnerable groups such as lower-income families were two big themes that emerged at Budget 2026.

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is also the Finance Minister, just delivered his first Budget since the new government was elected last year.

How will businesses be affected by these measures, and how will the Singapore workforce adapt? In our push for new avenues of growth, are there worries about Singaporeans being left behind?

In this episode of The Usual Place, I speak with National University of Singapore political science lecturer Rebecca Grace Tan and Singapore Business Federation chief policy and operating officer Musa Fazal about what they made of this year’s Budget.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:12 First reactions to Budget 2026

3:57 What did this year’s Budget miss?

6:12 Using CDC vouchers for strawberries

9:15 Are we dependent on handouts?

14:25 How can AI benefits be spread across society

19:45 The reality of businesses using AI now

24:30 High global talent wages will raise business costs

28:38 Are we ensuring no one’s left behind as S’pore purses growth?

34:51 Growth in the economy, but fewer jobs?

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by: Teo Tong Kai, Eden Soh and Chen Junyi

Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor & Ernest Luis

Editorial producers: Elizabeth Law & Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

--

#tup #tuptr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Government support measures such as CDC vouchers were meant to cushion soaring inflation. But are they fiscally sustainable? 

Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

Temporary government handouts like the CDC vouchers were meant to cushion the impact of Covid-19 and soaring inflation due to supply shocks that were caused by global events like the war in Ukraine.

But with inflation cooling to trend levels, can Singaporeans wean off the ‘free money’ reliance from CDC vouchers that were meant to be temporary? 

In this episode - which comes out a day ahead of Budget 2026 - ST assistant podcast editor Lynda Hong speaks to independent economist Song Seng Wun; and sociologist Clara Lee, research fellow at Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy’s Institute of Policy Studies. 

Apart from how the CDC voucher scheme has since become a staple of the government’s support package, they delve into different forms of welfare Singaporeans now receive, and the impact on small businesses should the scheme be withdrawn. 

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:11 Impact on heartland merchants should CDC vouchers be withdrawn 

9:42 Why are we using 'emergency' vouchers in a recovering economy?

15:49 Exiting from the policy of handing out CDC vouchers

20:43 Digital infrastructure to distribute CDC vouchers are now well-established: Clara

22:45 Redefining welfare state?

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Host: Lynda Hong ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast 

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#inyouropinion

 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Resting too much can weaken muscles, worsening joint pain in the long run, says an expert.

Synopsis: Every month, The Straits Times helps you make sense of health matters that affect you.

Problems affecting bones, joints, muscles, and tendons are the leading contributor of disability among all ages worldwide. 

These problems arising from musculoskeletal disorders comprise diverse conditions affecting bones, joints, muscles, and connective tissues, which may result in pain and loss of function.  

The disorders, which include conditions such as osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, sarcopenia, low back pain, and other degenerative conditions, are especially common in older adults. 

However, they are not an inevitable part of aging. 

In this episode, ST senior health correspondent Joyce Teo talks to surgeon-scientist, Assistant Professor Bryan Tan to find out more about what one can do to prevent musculoskeletal disorders.

They touched on strength training, what one can do about exercise after a flare of knee osteoarthritis, and not waiting till there is no pain to resume exercising.

Prof Tan is an orthopaedic surgeon at Woodlands Hospital, and the co-chair of the musculoskeletal integrated care work group at NHG Health.

Highlights (click/tap above):

3:48 What are musculoskeletal conditions? 

6:55 It’s never too late to build your muscles and bones

8:45 The more you don’t use your muscles, the weaker they will become 

18:21 Hyrox or not, everyone should be engaging in physical activity

20:27 How to get back to your exercise routine after a flare of your knee osteoarthritis?

Read Joyce Teo's stories: https://str.sg/JbxN 

Host: Joyce Teo ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis and Lynda Hong

Follow Health Check Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaN

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWRX

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaQ

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#healthcheck

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hong Kong prides itself on being a first world city. So how did such a thing like the Tai Po fire happen?

Synopsis: Every first Friday of the month, The Straits Times catches up with its foreign correspondents about life and trends in the countries they're based in.

On Nov 26, 2025, a fire swept through Wang Fuk Court in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, killing 168 people. 

What also perished in that inferno was a certain trust in the system to keep everyone safe. 

The Straits Times’ Hong Kong Correspondent Magdalene Fung, a long-time resident of the city, talks to host and foreign editor Li Xueying about her experience covering the disaster.

She also wrestles with the question of how Hong Kong’s tolerance for cutting corners cuts both ways. There is ingenuity. But the acceptance of quick, convenient fixes has also resulted in a society that collectively allowed the fire to happen.

Highlights (click/tap above):

01:04 On the ground, covering the fire

03:52 A system that failed

09:54 But a society that also helped

11:03 Low standards and quick, convenient fixes

16:12 The fire doors are still not closed

Read Magdalene Fung’s article here: https://str.sg/JyX2y 

Read Li Xueying’s articles: https://str.sg/iqmR 

Follow Li Xueying on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/ip4x  

Sign up for ST’s weekly Asian Insider newsletter: https://str.sg/sfpz 

Host: Li Xueying ([email protected]) 

Edited by: Fa’izah Sani

Executive producer: Ernest Luis

Follow Asian Insider on Fridays here:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWa7

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWa8

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWaX

Feedback to: [email protected] 

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg 

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts 

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/4Vwsa 

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX 

---

#STAsianInsider

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When it comes to charting their career paths, it’s likely most young Singaporeans would opt for white-collared jobs.

Hands-on skilled trades? Not so much.

Yet, The Straits Times reported in January that a growing number of younger people are choosing to go into traditional skilled trades such as plumbing and landscaping.

In this episode of The Usual Place, I speak with two millennials who have chosen not to follow the conventional script and have built businesses with their own hands.

Ms Geraldine Goh, 31, is a licensed plumber, who started her own business Agraffe in 2017 after a stint as a facilities management officer at a town council. She was studying mechanical engineering at a university, but dropped out after two years.

Meanwhile, Mr Ahmad Alhabshee, 36, started his own furniture company Urban Salvation about 11 years ago. He designs and handcrafts bespoke wooden furniture using sustainably sourced materials.

He branched out on his own after he was slighted by a former employer, who judged him for not having enough academic qualifications.

What convinced both of them to take on blue-collared work and become their own bosses? What does it mean to go against expectations in a society that still measures success with grades and paper qualifications?

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:50 The misconceptions of being a female plumber 

8:53  Why I dropped out of NTU to work at a town council

12:32  The harsh reality of the furniture business

20:05  30 years of experience vs. a licence   

28:35 Why modern men can’t fix a $1 door hinge

Follow The Usual Place podcast on IG: https://www.instagram.com/theusualplacepodcast

Follow Natasha on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/v6DN

Filmed by: Studio+65

Edited by: Teo Tong Kai, Eden Soh and Chen Junyi

Executive producers: Danson Cheong, Elizabeth Khor & Ernest Luis

Editorial producers: Elizabeth Law & Lynda Hong

Follow The Usual Place Podcast and get notified for new episode drops every Thursday:

Channel: https://str.sg/5nfm

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/9ijX

Spotify: https://str.sg/cd2P

YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

--

#tup #tuptr

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Are we using phones constructively to help kids to learn or assist adults in coping?

Synopsis: On Wednesdays, The Straits Times takes a hard look at Singapore's social issues of the day with guests.

One of the most fraught challenges of modern parenting is our love-hate relationship with screen time. From school bans on phones in school, to the everyday reality of dual-income working parents who just need their child to eat dinner in peace, how much is too much screentime and who should be responsible?

Are we using phones constructively to help kids to learn or assist adults in coping? And in a dopamine fuelled always-on world where we are expected to be 24/7 ready for work, are we asking our offspring to do something we ourselves fail at?

Opinion editor Lin Suling gets answers from Dr Becky, who’s been called the millennial parent whisperer by Time Magazine, on the sidelines of the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos in January.

With millions of followers on Instagram tuning into her snappy videos, Dr Rebecca Kennedy is also a bestselling author, a clinical psychologist, the CEO of Good Inside, and mother of three.

Highlights (click/tap above): 

1:59 Is there a place for phone bans in schools?

3:45 What’s wrong with kids watching videos during mealtimes?

5:10 Parents are always on their phones for work so why should kids listen?

8:06 Is society intolerant towards misbehaviour in restaurants, airplanes and public areas?

9:58 Might we be over-parenting?

11:23 Is there a minimum age when kids can sit by themselves?

12:40 Dr Becky’s message to people unsure about having kids 

Read ST’s Opinion section: https://str.sg/w7sH

Host: Lin Suling ([email protected]) 

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow In Your Opinion Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/w7Qt

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wukb

Spotify: https://str.sg/w7sV

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast 

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#inyouropinion

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Yes, it’s a scary time. But more than ever we need to talk about climate and nature. 

Synopsis: Every first and third Tuesday of the month, The Straits Times analyses the beat of the changing environment, from biodiversity conservation to climate change.

Right now, it seems we’re in an ‘ice age’ for climate action. Geopolitics is all we can talk about and it’s pretty much wiped climate change and nature from the headlines. Wars and conflict, trade rows, attacks on climate policies and science and the fracturing of multilateralism have created a more fraught and uncertain world. 

Some countries and businesses have weakened their environmental targets and policies, even as the climate and nature crises worsen. So what can be done? Can the shift to bilateral and regional climate and energy agreements replace unified global action? Can renewable energy remain a powerful uniting force? And how can we get climate and nature back into the headlines?

Join hosts Audrey Tan and David Fogarty as they discuss these questions and more in the latest episode of The Straits Times’ Green Pulse podcast. 

Have a listen and let us know what you think!

Highlights of conversation (click/tap above):

1:51 For all the talk of fossil fuels, renewables are stealing the show

7:59 Rush for resources and the Greenland reality check

12:59 Weakening of multilateralism is changing the way we talk about climate and nature. 

18:51 Focus on climate and nature might be in a rut. What will it take to refocus minds?

25:33 The human touch. Journalists need to put people at the centre of their environment stories.

Follow Audrey Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/848W

Read her articles: https://str.sg/JLM2

Follow David Fogarty on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/jcvy

Read his articles: https://str.sg/JLMu

Hosts: Audrey Tan ([email protected]) & David Fogarty ([email protected])

Produced and edited by: Hadyu Rahim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis & Lynda Hong

Follow Green Pulse Podcast here and get notified for new episode drops:

Channel: https://str.sg/JWaf

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/JWaY

Spotify: https://str.sg/JWag

Feedback to: [email protected]

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

#greenpulse

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is it better to buy stocks or invest in tangible things?

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a head start in your personal finance, career and life with The Straits Times.

Logan Paul’s Pokemon card has gone for over US$1 million. But do physical items and collections really help your money to grow?

How do Pokemon cards, Labubus and Marvel figurines measure alongside traditional stocks as investments?

In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at the stocks versus the 'stuff'.

Her guests are avid collector Ian Cheng and eToro market analyst Zavier Wong.

Highlights (click/tap above):

4:26 How do stocks compare with items?

8:12 Rare cards that appreciate from $100 to $600

9:00 Why did Pokemon card prices rise?

11:26 Logan Paul’s US$5 million Pokemon card

17:00 Collections that depreciated in value instead 

22:08 What should I do if I want to become an investor in cards?

Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa

Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X

Host: Sue-Ann Tan ([email protected])

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong & Joanna Seow

Follow Headstart On Record Podcast channel here:

Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3

Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9

Feedback to: [email protected]

Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter: https://str.sg/headstart-nl

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

Do note: All analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast are for your general information only. You should not rely on them in making any decision. Please consult a fully qualified financial adviser or professional expert for independent advice and verification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SPH Media shall not be liable for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on any analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast. SPH Media accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever that may result or arise from the products, services or information of any third parties.

---

#headstart

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tech stocks still shine, but beware the bubble.

Synopsis: Every first and third Monday of the month, get a headstart in your personal finance and career with The Straits Times.

2025 has been a turbulent year, and 2026 will also be marked by uncertainty.

So amid such global turmoil, what should we invest in?

In this episode, ST business correspondent Sue-Ann Tan looks at how to grow your money in 2026. 

Her guests are Gen Z investor Kass Phai, who is also a family wealth consultant at Unicorn, and veteran market watcher Ven Sreenivasan.

Highlights (click/tap above):

1:26 Where are the markets going in 2026?

7:00 Should we still buy tech stocks?

10:37 Risk vs volatility 

16:00 Other sectors to invest in

22:00 Should we invest in the SGX? 

29:00 Other investment assets to hold

Read Sue-Ann Tan's articles: https://str.sg/mvSa

Follow Sue-Ann Tan on LinkedIn: https://str.sg/A86X

Host: Sue-Ann Tan ([email protected])

Produced & edited by: Amirul Karim

Executive producers: Ernest Luis, Lynda Hong & Joanna Seow

Follow Headstart On Record Podcast channel here:

Channel: https://str.sg/wB2m

Apple Podcasts: https://str.sg/wuN3

Spotify: https://str.sg/wBr9

Feedback to: [email protected]

Get business/career tips in ST's Headstart newsletter: https://str.sg/headstart-nl

SPH Awedio app: https://www.awedio.sg

---

Follow more ST podcast channels:

All-in-one ST Podcasts channel: https://str.sg/wvz7

Get more updates: http://str.sg/stpodcasts

The Usual Place Podcast YouTube: https://str.sg/theusualplacepodcast

---

Get The Straits Times app, which has a dedicated podcast player section:

The App Store: https://str.sg/icyB

Google Play: https://str.sg/icyX

---

Do note: All analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast are for your general information only. You should not rely on them in making any decision. Please consult a fully qualified financial adviser or professional expert for independent advice and verification. To the fullest extent permitted by law, SPH Media shall not be liable for any loss arising from the use of or reliance on any analyses, opinions, recommendations and other information in this podcast. SPH Media accepts no responsibility or liability whatsoever that may result or arise from the products, services or information of any third parties.

---

#headstart

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.