Explore every episode of the podcast South Asia Chat

Despite the football World Cup, regarded as the  greatest show on earth, having expanded to 48 participating countries in 2026, we are  once again in the all too familiar situation of no country from South Asia, including the world’s most populous nation India, being present in the tournament. To discuss the reasons behind the perennial absence of India from the World Cup, Senior Research Fellow Ronojoy Sen spoke to two senior sports journalists -- former Gulf News Senior Associate Editor Gautam Bhattacharyya and Hindustan Times' Dhiman Sarkar.

In this episode, we speak with Patrick Olivelle, author of Ashoka: Portrait of a Philosopher King. The author is in conversation with Imran Ahmed, Research Fellow, ISAS.

The electoral verdict in West Bengal, where the Bharatiya Janata Party won a landslide victory against the three-term Trinamool Congress government, and the emergence of a new force in the shape of film star Vijay in Tamil Nadu were the real highlights of the Assembly elections held in India in April 2026. In this episode, Ronojoy Sen, Senior Research Fellow, ISAS, is in conversation with Kolkata-based senior journalist Shikha Mukherjee and Deputy Resident Editor of the Hindu, Tamil Nadu, D. Suresh Kumar about the Bengal and Tamil Nadu election results and their impact.

In this episode, we speak with Paul McGarr, author of Spying in South Asia: Britain, the United States, and India's Secret Cold War. The author is in conversation with Ivan Lidarev, Visiting Research Fellow, ISAS.

Iqbal Sevea speaks with Moeed Yusuf, former National Security Advisor to Pakistan’s Prime Minister and Vice Chancellor of Beaconhouse National University, about how Pakistan is negotiating strategic and economic challenges arising out of the ongoing Iran war. They examine Pakistan’s delicate balancing act between key regional powers, its energy security challenges, and its complex relationships with Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Afghanistan. They also discuss Pakistan’s potential role as a mediator in an escalating crisis.

In this episode, we dive into Bangladesh’s February 12 elections and referendum—a pivotal moment that brought a familiar party back to power while calling for deep structural change. The central question is whether a status-quo political force can carry forward an agenda born out of anti-establishment protest, and what this means for Bangladesh’s democratic trajectory. To discuss this unfolding situation, Saeeduddin Faridi, Research Analyst, ISAS-NUS is in conversation with Professor Asif M. Shahan, Professor, Department of Development Studies, Dhaka University and Senior Research Fellow, BRAC Institute of Governance and Development. They discuss the expectations around institutional reforms, the fragmented political landscape in the country, issues of inclusion and representation and the foreign policy challenges. 

In this episode of South Asia Chat, Iqbal Sevea discusses India’s 2026 Union Budget with Vinod Rai and Amitendu Palit. The discussion focuses on the budget’s approach to macroeconomic stability, including managing inflation, fiscal deficit and growth amid global uncertainty. Key themes include manufacturing and investment policies, incentives for cloud computing and data centres, the India Semiconductor Mission, and measures supporting MSMEs. The conversation also covers India’s evolving semiconductor strategy, challenges in attracting private and foreign investment, and budget priorities related to energy security, critical minerals and carbon capture.

In this episode, we speak with Bart Klem, author of Performing Sovereign Aspirations: Tamil Insurgency and Postwar Transition in Sri Lanka. The author is in conversation with Rajni Gamage, Research Fellow, ISAS.

In this episode of South Asia Chat, host Iqbal Sevea speaks with Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of South Asian Studies, to assess how the Indian economy navigated global shocks in 2025 and what lies ahead in 2026. The discussion explores the impact of US tariffs, domestic demand, inflation trends, trade reforms, and India’s evolving free trade strategy, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities shaping India’s economic trajectory in a changing global order.

Held in the Amazon, COP30 carried significant political and symbolic weight for global climate negotiations. Positioned by the Presidency as an “implementation COP,” the conference was intended to pivot the focus from setting goals to tackling the practical challenges of delivery. The summit highlighted both renewed momentum and familiar tensions around finance, forests, trade measures and fossil fuels alongside participation from a broad range of stakeholders. To discuss these developments, in this episode of South Asia Chat, Mr Saeeduddin Faridi, Research Analyst, ISAS-NUS, is joined by Ms Avantika Goswami, Programme Manager, Climate Change, Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi. They discuss the outcomes on trade and fossil fuels, as well as the expanding role of developing countries in pushing the frontiers of climate leadership. 

Russian President Vladimir Putin visited India on 4th and 5th December- marking it his first trip in the last four years. This visit comes at a very delicate geopolitical moment. With the Ukraine war approaching its fourth year and Russia -US relations warming, major power relations are likely to see a critical shift. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst at ISAS, speaks with Professor C Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor, ISAS on what the visit meant and what would be the future of this partnership.

In this episode, we speak with Rochona Majumdar, author of Art Cinema and India's Forgotten Futures: Film and History in the Postcolony. The author is in conversation with Tanujja Dadlani, Research Analyst, ISAS.

The 2025 Bihar Assembly elections have delivered a decisive victory for the National Democratic Alliance. The outcome has renewed discussions on the state’s long standing social coalitions, organisational strategies, and shifting political narratives that shaped voter behaviour. From the performance of the Grand Alliance to the limited electoral impact of new entrants such as the Jan Suraaj Party, the results offer important insights into Bihar’s political landscape. At the same time, debates around the voter roll revision process have raised questions about electoral credibility and institutional trust. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Raghaw Khattri, Research Analyst at ISAS, speaks with Dr Neelanjan Sircar, Associate Professor at Ahmedabad University, to unpack the elections. 

The Afghanistan-Pakistan border, long defined by porous boundaries and competing national interests, has once again become a flashpoint for regional instability. In recent months, tensions have escalated over border management, cross-border conflict, and the broader geopolitical implications of the Taliban’s return to power in Afghanistan. To discuss the evolving border tension and its context, Ms. Tanujja Dadlani, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Dr. Zahid Shahab Ahmed, an honorary fellow at Deakin University, and a researcher specializing in peace and security across South Asia and the Middle East. His work explores how sectarianism and extremism shape domestic, regional, and global stability.

In this episode, we speak with Aditya Balasubramanian, author of Toward a Free Economy: Swatantra and Opposition Politics in Democratic India. The author is in conversation with Sandeep Bhardwaj, Visiting Research Fellow, ISAS.

This episode explores the evolving contours of India–China engagement in the climate and energy domain while both countries take steps towards normalising their relationship following the 2020 clashes at Galwan. As both countries undertake policies towards decarbonisation of their respective economies, cooperation in domains of trade, investment, technology and diplomacy can advance shared goals. To unpack this bilateral dynamic, Dr Karthik Nachiappan, Research Fellow, ISAS-NUS, is in conversation with Dr Constantino Xavier, Senior Fellow, and Dr Pooja Ramamurthi, Fellow, Centre for Social and Economic Progress, New Delhi. 

In this episode, we speak with Mujibur Rehman, author of Shikwa-e-Hind: The Political Future of Indian Muslims. The author is in conversation with Amit Ranjan, Research Fellow, ISAS.

Sri Lanka’s President Anura Kumara Dissanayake completes one year in office on 23 September 2025. President Dissanayake came to power in 2024 on a campaign of anti-corruption and system change towards a more equitable society. To provide an overview and analysis of President Dissanayake’s first year in office, ISAS Research Fellow, Dr Rajni Gamage is joined by Mr Mohamed Faslan, Lecturer at the Department of Political Science & Public Policy, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka. 

Trade wars, shifting alliances and economic uncertainty — the world is caught in the middle of it all. As the United States redraws the rules of global commerce, countries find themselves navigating a tricky balance between opportunity and pressure. How do the world and South Asia navigate this fractured landscape where trade as we know it is challenged and with it, at stake is, millions of jobs, industry and diplomacy ? In this quick episode, we speak to Mr Stephen Olson, Visiting Senior Fellow, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, to find out about this. 

Nepal has erupted into turmoil as the younger generation poured into the streets in protest of a sweeping social media ban. What began as a stand for digital freedom quickly morphed into a broader revolt against political corruption, economic malaise, and entrenched governance failures. With buildings aflame, dozens killed or injured, and the prime minister forced to resign, the army has stepped in to restore order. Nepal’s future hangs in a balance with questions to its legitimacy. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms. Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst at ISAS, speaks with Dr Puspa Sharma, Visiting Senior Research Fellow at ISAS, to unpack the origin and implications of Nepal’s crisis for the state’s future.

Recent weeks have seen renewed efforts by India and China to stabilise ties. The August visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to New Delhi, followed by the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, has been marked by talks of partnership rather than rivalry, and steps towards reviving a framework for settling the long-standing boundary question. Yet serious differences remain, from China’s ties with Pakistan to emerging flashpoints such as water management and regional military developments. In this episode, Ms Kanika Kaur, Research Analyst at ISAS-NUS, is in conversation with Dr C. Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor at ISAS-NUS, to unpack India-China relations in the current geopolitical context and explore what lies ahead.

In this episode, we speak with Manoj Joshi, author of Understanding the India-China Border: The Enduring Threat of War in the High Himalayas. The author is in conversation with Ivan Lidarev, Visiting Research Fellow, ISAS.

Climate finance is once again in the spotlight as the world looks ahead to COP30 in Brazil. This year has already seen some important developments in this space with the US departure from the Paris Agreement and decline in aid from developed countries. Negotiations have also moved forward with the Finance for Development conference in Sevilla and the UN climate meetings in Bonn. To make sense of the changing dynamics of the climate finance landscape Mr Saeeduddin Faridi, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Ms Aarti Khosla, Founder and Director, Climate Trends. The episode delves into the upcoming COP30, the leadership dynamics, and the progress in India on the climate finance front.

India’s journey in artificial intelligence is reaching an inflection point as AI is projected to play a crucial role in fast-tracking the government's target of a one trillion-dollar digital economy by 2028. At the centre of India’s AI strategy is the IndiaAI Mission. The mission, launched in March 2024, is leading India’s innovation and digital transformation to democratise AI for all. While steady progress has been made in India’s AI ecosystem, with the launch of Sarvam AI, AIKosha, and IndiaAI FutureSkills Initiative, challenges persist as India aims to position itself as a global AI leader, balancing ambitious innovation with inclusive growth, strong governance, and cross-sectoral collaboration. In this episode, Mriganika Singh Tanwar, Research Analyst, ISAS-NUS, is in conversation with Mr Jibu Elias, Country Lead (India), Responsible Computing Challenge, Mozilla Foundation, US, to discuss the opportunities and risks in shaping the future of India’s AI revolution. The discussion draws on the developments in IndiaAI mission, specifically the ethical, regulatory, sectoral, and functional challenges that India needs to address to retain technological sovereignty in AI space and influence global AI governance.

On August 5, 2025, India found itself in the crosshairs of US tariff measures issued by President Donald Trump. The unexpected move has rattled Indian policymakers and injected fresh tension into the otherwise stable India-US relationship. The strategic use of tariffs as geopolitical tools is now drawing global concern. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms. Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst at ISAS, speaks with Dr. Amitendu Palit, Senior Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), to unpack the implications of these tariff hikes for India, the evolving dynamic between New Delhi and Washington, and the broader consequences for global trade.

In this episode, we speak with Avinash Paliwal, author of India’s Near East: A New History. The author is in conversation with Sandeep Bhardwaj, Visiting Research Fellow, ISAS

In recent months, several high-ranking Indian officials have met with their Chinese counterparts, indicating an emerging thaw in the relationship. Most recently, India's Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, visited Beijing on 14 July 2025. Jaishankar's meetings with Chinese leaders, including Foreign Minister Wang Yi and Vice President Han Zheng, focused on stabilising and rebuilding ties through practical measures such as resuming direct flights, restarting the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, and promoting people-to-people exchanges. In this episode, Ms Bian Sai, Academic Visitor at ISAS-NUS, is in conversation with Dr C. Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor at ISAS-NUS, to discuss the new developments in the relationship between the two Asian giants. 

Following the high-level visit of Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, to Washington in June 2025, US–Pakistan relations have re-entered the spotlight. The visit comes amidst the backdrop of the recent conflict with India and Trump's tariff war, raising questions about potential strategic realignments and the future of bilateral cooperations. In this episode, Mr Muhammad Saad Ul Haque, Research Analyst, ISAS-NUS, is in conversation with Professor Touqir Hussain, Former Senior Diplomat from Pakistan and Adjunct Professor, Georgetown University, to discuss the historical foundations of the relationship, evolving military diplomacy, and the broader geopolitical implications of recent developments.

In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst at ISAS, speaks with Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics) on the key outcomes of the recent BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro — held amid rising trade tensions, United States tariff threats, and global calls for multilateral reform.

The recent Iran-Israel-US conflict affected regional dynamics, with ripple effects extending into South Asia. For India and Pakistan, both with deep but varied ties to Iran, Israel and the US respectively, the conflict posed complex diplomatic and strategic challenges. The escalation tested New Delhi's balancing act, while Pakistan hedged its relations with Iran and the US. In both cases, the conflict underscored how an external geopolitical crisis can reverberate through South Asia’s fault lines. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms Tanujja Dadlani, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Dr Ivan Lidarev. He is an Asian security and international relations expert who specialises in China-India relations, and is currently a Visiting Research Fellow at ISAS, NUS.

In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms. Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst at ISAS, speaks with Mr. Madhukar Upadhya, a Regional Climate Change and Climate Finance Expert affiliated with the UNDP, about the nature, evolution, and impact of natural disasters and climate change in Nepal.

On 30 April 2025, Government of India has announced that the 2026 nationwide census will include caste data for the first time in over a century. This decision comes amid significant political shifts following the 2024 general elections, where caste-based mobilisation played a pivotal role. In this episode, Raghaw Khattri, Research Analyst at ISAS, is in conversation with Dr Rahul Verma, Academic Visitor at ISAS. They unpack the political, social, and legal implications of the caste census, discuss its role in the opposition parties’ evolving strategy, and explore the potential impact on electoral coalitions, sub-categorisation of quotas, and the future of reservations in India.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks in Pahalgam in April 2025, the Government of India announced the immediate abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT).  Signed in 1960 between India and Pakistan, the IWT was brokered by the World Bank, amidst rising post-Partition tensions and concerns regarding the sharing of water. In this episode, Muhammad Saad Ul Haque, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with David Gilmartin, Professor of History, North Carolina State University, to speak about the treaty’s colonial origins, post-Partition concerns, and the emerging dynamics putting its existence into question.

Following the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India and Pakistan witnessed the most intense conflict between the two countries since 1971. This marks a strategic recalibration in India and Pakistan's already dysfunctional relationship. In this episode, Dr Iqbal Singh Sevea, Director, ISAS-NUS, is in conversation with Ambassador Jawed Ashraf, former Ambassador of India to France, to delve into the motivations of India's military response, Operation Sindoor, the conventional and nuclear thresholds in the region, and the abeyance of the Indus Water Treaty. The conversation also delves into India's messaging and outreach to the international community following the ceasefire. 

Following the April 2025 terror attack in Kashmir, tensions between India and Pakistan have escalated, marked by India’s suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty and the launch of Operation Sindoor. As military and diplomatic exchanges continue, questions around escalation management, international responses, and long-term regional stability have come to the forefront. In this episode, Raghaw Khattri, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Professor C Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor at ISAS, to discuss recent developments in India-Pakistan relations, shifts in regional security dynamics, and the international community’s response.

There is a controversy brewing around the delimitation of constituencies in India’s lower house of parliament or Lok Sabha which is scheduled for 2026. The southern states of India in particular are fearing a loss of seats and political power if the redrawing of electoral seats is done based solely on population figures. The number of seats in Indian parliament has been increased thrice, based on the decennial census, since the country’s independence. The last time it happened was in 1972, following the 1971 Census, when the number of seats in the Lok Sabha was fixed at 543. Dr Ronojoy Sen, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Politics, Society and Governance), is in conversation with Dr Milan Vaishnav, Senior Fellow and Director of the South Asia Program at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, about the intricacies of the delimitation process.

The economic relationship between India and ASEAN holds significant potential, yet is layered with complexity—especially when it comes to trade, which remains a central pillar of their engagement. With the decision to revisit the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement,  concerns over trade imbalances, shifting global supply chains, and the impact of recent geopolitical tensions are taking center stage. In this episode, Saeeduddin Faridi, Research Analyst, ISAS-NUS, is in conversation with Dr Evelyn Devadason, Professor, Universiti of Malaya, to discuss what is driving trade negotiations, Malaysia's role as ASEAN Chair, and the impact of recent US trade policy disruptions.

In the wake of recent political transitions in Bangladesh and shifting regional equations, Dhaka’s foreign policy is undergoing a subtle yet significant recalibration. From a growing openness toward Pakistan to navigating its strategic relations with India, China, and beyond, Bangladesh is stepping into a more assertive regional role while grappling with long-standing challenges like the Rohingya crisis and climate vulnerability. In this episode, Raghaw Khattri, Research Analyst at ISAS, NUS, is in conversation with Ambassador Tariq Karim, Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow at ISAS, NUS and Director of the Centre for Bay of Bengal Studies at Independent University, Bangladesh. Drawing on his extensive diplomatic career, Ambassador Karim unpacks the key drivers behind Bangladesh’s evolving foreign policy and explores how the country is positioning itself amid South Asia’s shifting geopolitical landscape.

In a historic declaration of economic independence on 2 April 2025, President Donald Trump announced a fresh wave of tariffs on its trading partners and adversaries. Despite a relatively successful meeting between Prime Minister Modi and President Trump, India was unable to dodge a bullet on tariffs. President Trump declared a 27 per cent ‘discounted reciprocal tariffs’ on India. The move was seen as a response to India’s trade surplus with the United States (US), which has nearly doubled since President Trump’s first term and is projected to widen further, given India’s strong manufacturing and service sectors. The tariffs aim to address trade imbalances and promote domestic manufacturing in the US by countering what President Trump described as "unfair trade practices." This announcement comes at an important juncture, as both leaders in February 2025 agreed to work on the first phase of a bilateral trade deal in the second half of 2025. In this episode, Mriganika Singh Tanwar, Research Analyst at ISAS-NUS, is in conversation with Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics) at ISAS-NUS, to discuss the implications of reciprocal tariffs on the competitiveness of Indian exports. The discussion draws on the long-standing geoeconomic relationship between India and the US, as well as the salient reliance of the Trump administration on using tariffs as a prominent tool to shape global trade dynamics.

Sri Lanka’s national budget for 2025 was presented last month by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. This marks the inaugural budget of the National People’s Power (NPP) government, which came to power in November 2024. To provide an overview and analysis of the 2025 budget, ISAS Research Fellow Dr Rajni Gamage is joined by Mr Umesh Moramudali, a lecturer at the Department of Economics, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.  

In the first 50 days of the Trump administration, President Trump has signed several executive orders, many of which focus on tariffs and trade issues. Tariffs have come to be used as instruments of foreign policy, and this has important implications for the global trading architecture. Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore in conversation with Mr Stephen Olson, Visiting Fellow, ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute unpacks the chaos, unpredictability and pauses emerging from the US and its implications for global trade.

Six months into the administration led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, Bangladesh finds itself navigating troubled waters. The country is currently grappling with socioeconomic instability, political issues, and governance challenges. The coming months will be crucial as more reports from the interim government's appointed reform commissions emerge and the government responds to allegations of human rights violations committed by the previous regime. In this episode, Mr. Saeeduddin Faridi, Research Analyst, Institute of South Asian Studies, National University of Singapore, converses with Dr. Sayeed Ferdous, Professor of Anthropology, Jahangirnagar University. The podcast discusses the progress of reforms, responses to human rights violation allegations, and the constitutional reform commission's report.

In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst at ISAS, speaks with Professor C Raja Mohan, Visiting Research Professor at ISAS, on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington D.C. and the new opportunities and challenges the meeting set out for US and India.

Populist leaders in South Asia leverage mass appeal, nationalism, and religious identity to consolidate power. In recent years, politicians such as Narendra Modi in India and Imran Khan in Pakistan, while often claiming to empower marginalised groups as part of their campaign rhetoric, frequently exploit religious cleavages as part of a strategy termed ‘piety politics’. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Ms Tanujja Dadlani, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Dr Afiya Zia, a researcher, writer and activist based in Karachi. She is the author of “Faith and Feminism in Pakistan”, having conducted extensive research on the role of religion in politics and the way it influences women and their voting behaviours.

On 1st February 2025, India’s Finance Minister, Ms Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget. While last year’s budget was shadowed by coalition politics, this budget seems to be very different. It has focused on stimulating weak consumer expenditure while also prioritising capital expenditure to sustain the economy’s growth at 6 percent. In this episode of South Asia Chat , Ms. Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst, ISAS, is in conversation with Mr Vinod Rai, Distinguished Visiting Research Fellow at ISAS and former Comptroller and Auditor General of India to discuss the strengths, gambles and long-term measures of the Budget 2025.

In the upcoming Delhi elections, welfare promises and populist measures take centre stage. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Raghaw Khattri, Research Analyst at ISAS, hosts Dr Neelanjan Sircar, Assistant Professor at Ahmedabad University, to delve into the dynamics shaping this high-stakes electoral contest. Dr Sircar discusses the escalating 'auction of votes,' the long-term economic implications of welfare politics, and the 'Kejriwal versus who' narrative. He also examines voter sentiment, anti-incumbency factors, and the prospects of major players such as the BJP and Congress in the Delhi Assembly elections.

Donald Trump’s recent re-election marks a pivotal moment for India-US relations, with his administration set to shape trade, immigration, and global power dynamics in ways that could significantly impact India. In this episode of South Asia Chat, Kanika Kaur, Research Analyst at ISAS, is joined by Ambassador Nirupama Rao, former Foreign Secretary of India to discuss the implications of Trump’s second term. They delve into the potential for heightened tariffs on Indian exports, the challenges posed by Trump’s hawkish immigration policies on skilled Indian professionals, and the evolving power balance between China and the US.

With global and regional economies still stabilising from the various events of the first half of the decade,  in this episode of South Asia Chat, Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics) at ISAS-NUS shares the strategic economic outlook for the region in the year 2025. He is in conversation with Ms Divya Murali, Research Associate, ISAS. They discuss the year that was for South Asia economically, the region's economic outlook for 2025, debt stress of the states in the region, graduating LDCs prospects and risks that the region has to deal with while in pursuit of its growth agendas during 2025.

The year 2024 was marked by human conflicts, political shifts and intensification of transnational challenges. In this episode of South Asia Chat,  Associate Professor Iqbal Singh Sevea, Director, ISAS discusses with Ms Devyani Chaturvedi, Research Analyst at ISAS, the impact of these crises on South Asia. They also discuss the challenges and opportunities for the region in 2025.

President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office as the 47th President of the United States of America in January 2025. Donald Trump’s second term in office is poised to be a continuation of his first term where US’s pre-2017 free trade principles and approach to economic policies is expected to undergo vast changes. As the world waits to see the real effects take root, in today’s episode of South Asia Chat, Ms. Divya Murali, Research Associate at ISAS chats with Dr Amitendu Palit, Senior Research Fellow and Research Lead (Trade and Economics), ISAS-NUS to unpack the implications of Trump 2.0 trade and economic policies that could impact the world and the region.