In this episode of the India-Australia story we look at how the trade is on an upward swing in sectors such as agri and diary. The complementary skills on offer that can make this partnership  work and also the future of the trade relations between the two countries.John is an experienced policy and trade advisor, diplomat and builder of high performing teams committed to delivering highest quality client service and government/commercial interoperability to acheive policy and trade outcomes.

This series brings to you conversations with stakeholders dedicated to the India-Australia bilateral space. In this episode, I speak to Petula Thomas, CEO of the Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce, a premier platform for trade promotion between India and Australia and the only organization in the country promoting bilateral trade and investment between the two countries. As CEO of the Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce, Ms. Thomas leads on creating the Chamber’s strategic vision and delivery of its key initiatives and engagement across Government and industry. With Ms. Thomas heading the Chamber, it has expanded to Western India, Bengaluru, East India and Northern India. Her earlier roles have been the British & Australian Government in India and British Airways Plc. Ms. Thomas won four performance awards from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (London) during her tenure at the British Government. She’s on the advisory of the IABCA and a member of CII’s International Sub-Committee since 2019.The backdrop to this episode was truly historic & timely. On the eve of our conversation, the Australian Parliament had ratified the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) with India, popularly called the Ind Aus ECTA, thereby paving the way for implementing the deal as early as January 1, 2023. Our wide-ranging conversation dealt with the Chamber’s role in furthering India-Australia trade & investment opportunities, her engagements with various Union & state-level officials in India, the key sectors of significance for both the countrys’ businesses and some interesting responses to our popular ‘Strongly Agree to Disagree’ segment! IACC Report on Tech & Innovation (2021)Attribution:The Bridge Project (2022), "Down Under in Chennai: A Conversation with Petula Thomas, CEO, Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce", 01 Dec, 2022, URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/921337/11790175 Research Credits:CarlMusic Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredWholesome by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesomeLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at carl.jaison@thebridgeproject.in with your feedback!Visit our website: https://www.thebridgeproject.in/

In this episode, we speak to Dr Erin Watson who is a public affairs specialist with over 14 years of experience in policy, research, and programs. Prior to establishing her own boutique consultancy, Erin worked in senior leadership roles at Australian universities and think tanks where she built a reputation for her public affairs and research. Erin has represented Australia at G20 meetings in seven countries, published reports for the United Nations, and regularly files for the Economist Intelligence Unit. Currently, she is a Board Director of the Council on Australia and Latin America Relations (COALAR) at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade appointed by the Foreign Minister in 2021. Erin regularly appears on the ABC Australia, CNN News18 India, ITV NewsX India, and Sky News Australia. You can follow Erin on Twitter @erinwatsonlynnWe met on the sidelines of the Raisina Dialogue 2022 and this conversation took place right after Erin moderated a fantastic panel on the digital future of the Indo-Pacific and e-governance initiatives of countries. Our wide-ranging conversation covers themes including the upcoming G20 summit & its opportunities of cooperation for India & Australia, India's foreign policy ambitions, Australia's "middle power" diplomacy, her thesis on the role of women’s entrepreneurship among the Indian diaspora in Australia and her unique experiences as a theorist who applies her craft on real-world, practical problems.Shownotes:1. The G20 “diplomacy dividend”, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/g20-diplomacy-dividend2. The G20’s existential crisis, The Interpreter, Lowy Institute, https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/g20-s-existential-crisis 3. Digital futures – financial inclusion in the Asia-Pacific, United Nations, ESCAP, https://www.unescap.org/blog/digital-futures-financial-inclusion-asia-pacific  4. Intersectional Mixed Embeddedness: Women Entrepreneurs in the Indian Diaspora in Australia, Monash University, https://bit.ly/38yjN6U5. The panel moderated by Erin at Raisina Dialogue 2022, ORF, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tU-de3X_3pMAttribution:The Bridge Project (2022), "The New Age Diplomacy & Development Series ft. Dr. Erin Watson-Lynn", 18 May, 2022, URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/921337/10634675Research Credits:CarlMusic Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredWholesome by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesomeLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at carl.jaison@thebridgeproject.in with your feedback!Visit our website: https://www.thebridgeproject.in/

In this episode, we speak to Sam Freeman, trade & investment commissioner of Austrade, which is the Australian Government’s international trade promotion and investment attraction agency. Currently working out of Bangalore, Sam has extensive work experience in international trade and investment, having lived and worked in India full time since 2014. At Austrade’s Bangalore division, Sam is tasked with promoting The Australia – India Business Exchange program (AIBX), a flagship program to strengthen Australia-India commercial links and provide businesses with confidence and capability to engage across both markets. In this conversation, he talks to us about his professional journey in India, the different experiences working in the major cities here. We discuss the big winners from the recent India Australia Economic Cooperation & Trade Agreement and delve into some interesting case studies in the winery and agri-tech space. As a die-hard cricket fan, who also opens the batting for his workplace teams, it would have been a remiss on our part to not ask him about the cricket culture between the two countries and his take on the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup scheduled to take place Down Under later this year. We bring to you our riveting conversation that gives us a business understanding of how Australia & Australian companies are viewing the Indian markets - both in its urban and rural forms.Attribution:The Bridge Project (2022), "The New Age Diplomacy and Development Series - Ft. Sam Freeman, Trade & Investment Commissioner, Austrade", 05 May, 2022, URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/921337/10587537 Research & Host:Carl JaisonMusic Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredWholesome by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesomeLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at carl.jaison@thebridgeproject.in with your feedback!Visit our website: https://www.thebridgeproject.in/

We are delighted to be in conversation with Lisa Singh in this very important episode on the back of the India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement or better known as Ind Aus (ECTA).Lisa is a former Australian Senator and was the first woman of South Asian heritage to be elected to the Australian Parliament. She is currently the CEO of the Australia India Institute, a leading research and policy think tank advancing Australia-India relations at the government, business, diaspora and academic levels. In 2014, Lisa was awarded the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman by the President of India for building friendly Australia-India relations, the highest civilian honour for a person of Indian origin. In 2016, representing Australia, she was seconded to the United Nations General Assembly. We begin with a discussion on the trade deal from the point of view of political science theory and explore the challenges & solutions to capacity building within the two states. The second segment discusses the sectors where the Indian & Australian businesses & startups can find synergies, especially with the recent update to an India Economic Strategy to 2035, which was commissioned by the Australia Government back in 2018. The final part of the conversation shifts to the role India and Australia could play in multilateral & bilateral forums to tackle issues such as climate change, poor educational outcomes etc.Attribution:The Bridge Project (2021), "The New Age Diplomacy and Development Series - Ft. The Hon. Lisa Singh, CEO, Australia-India Institute", 29 April, 2022, URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/921337/10522032 Research & Host:Carl Jaison Music Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredWholesome by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesomeLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at carl.jaison@thebridgeproject.in with your feedback!Visit our website: https://www.thebridgeproject.in/

Podcast on New age diplomacy and development seriesSpeaker : Mr. Ajay Singh- IAS(Rtd.)  Vice Chairman(Chhattisgarh State Planning Commission); Former Chief Secretary, Chhattisgarh.Q1. What is the present situation with respect to COVID cases and management in Chhattisgarh? Also, since March 2020, how has the government and the bureaucracy evolved in terms of managing the pandemic in the state? Q2. With respect to the migrant workers, one of the worst hit groups during the pandemic, a large number headed back home to Chhattisgarh. How has the state worked towards addressing their concerns?Also, ‘Janta ka Faisla’- which is a unique 5 day program held in Raipur, is the first citizen’s jury of migrant workers. As the Vice Chairman of the state Planning Commission how do you see citizen’s participation in policy making in the state in the future? Q3. Recently in the NITI Aayog’s SDG Index Report 2020-2021, Chhattisgarh has been declared the top performing state in India on the Gender Equality parameter. The Planning Commission of Chhattisgarh has also published two important documents- Chhattisgarh SDG Vision Document 2030 and SDG Indicator Framework.In this context, I would like to know from you what are the areas within the domain of SDGs that the State Government and the State Planning Commission are giving priorities to achieve.  Q4. Supplementary question: How are the uncertainties brought by the Corona pandemic posing a challenge to the efforts towards achieving these goals and should the framework need any change to adjust with the present challenges posed by the pandemic? Q5. You have traversed the entire hierarchy of the IAS in the state- from being a probationer, all the way to the Chief Secretary of the State and now you are the Vice Chairman of the state Planning Commission. Down the memory lane could you please share some instances/ experiences that you feel were some of the high moments in your career.     References: Chhattisgarh SDG Vision Document 2030http://spc.cg.gov.in/pdf/SDG_Vission_2030.pdf  SDG Indicator Frameworkhttp://spc.cg.gov.in/pdf/Update_16_07_2021/CG-SIF_15072021.pdf

In this series on New Age Diplomacy & Development, we speak to stakeholders in government, bureaucracy, academia & development sector on the opportunities & challenges for sub-national diplomacy & development partnerships in the post-COVID world!The second episode of the series features Peter Varghese AO, Chancellor of The University of Queensland & former Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade (DFAT), Govt. of Australia.  Mr. Varghese was the author of a comprehensive India Economic Strategy to 2035 commissioned by the Australian Prime Minister and submitted in July 2018. In this episode, The Bridge Project converses with Mr. Varghese on a range of themes including the evolving nature of India-Australia ties; his diplomatic experience while in India; the scope of economic diplomacy with India's states; the importance of public diplomacy & the role of youth; higher education, business & development cooperation between both countries.SHOW LESS

In this brand new series on New Age Development & Diplomacy, we speak to stakeholders in government, bureaucracy, academia & development sector on the opportunities & challenges for sub-national diplomacy & development partnerships in the post-COVID world! The first episode features Manoj K. Bharti, currently serving as the Ambassador of India to Indonesia. He is a seasoned diplomat with years of experience cutting across the domains of foreign policy, trade & commerce, technology etc. He assumed charge as the Ambassador of the Republic of India in Indonesia at the start of 2021. He is an officer of 1988 batch of the Indian Foreign Service and Served as Additional Secretary (Administration) & (Economic Diplomacy and States) from 2018-2020. He has also held the position of Special Secretary (Administration). His previous ambassadorial postings include Ukraine, Belarus, Iran, Holland, Nepal, Turkey & Myanmar. Amb. Bharti also served in the Ministry of Commerce, Govt of India, where he handled economic relations and foreign trade issues with Central European countries and prior to this he headed the e-Governance and Information Technology Division of the Ministry from 2008-2011. The podcast deals with themes such as India's development partnership and diplomatic engagements with Indonesia, role of youth, importance of India's national level initiatives in diplomacy, role of city level governments & sister-city relationships and the participation of the private sector in India’s diplomatic efforts.Shownotes:1. Recounting India-Indonesia, Gateway House (2016)2. India-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Arrangement, The Asia Regional Integration Center (ARIC)3. India – Indonesia relations and the Indo-Pacific, Ananta Aspen Centre (2021)4. Burgeoning India-Indonesia Relations: Beyond Historical Nostalgia and Toward Strategic Convergence, The Diplomat (2019)Attribution:The Bridge Project (2021), "The New Age Diplomacy and Development Series - Ft. Manoj K. Bharti, Ambassador of India to Indonesia", 01 August, 2021, URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/921337/8954840Research & Host:Carl Jaison Music Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredWholesome by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesomeLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at carl.jaison@thebridgeproject.in with your feedback!Visit our website: https://www.thebridgeproject.in/

The Bridge Project presents to you the 'Get Inspired Series'- a brand new series that features life stories and lessons of inspiring voices from around the world.The first episode of the series features Mr. Raghavan Srinivasan, former Editor of the Hindu BusinessLine. An accidental journalist who started in the domain of marketing and had worked on some of the most exciting cases like that of the Harshad Mehta Scam in 1992.How he became a journalist and what are some of the interesting stories of his journalism career? To listen to all these inspiring stories, please listen to the episode and share it with your friends and colleagues.

Podcast Series on 'Taking SDGs to the Last Mile' in collaboration with Centre for Climate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)Episode 4: Earth System Governance and Sustainable DevelopmentIn less than a decade from now in the year 2030, SDGs would near their end. Almost all the countries have adopted this framework and incorporated it in their intervention programs. However, never before has the gulf between the global north and global south been this apparent. An urgent need for co-operation has not materialized yet which involves the transfer of technology, accessibility and most importantly funding. In the 2015 Paris summit, nations came together to achieve a voluntary declaration to cut carbon emissions to keep the rise in temperature within 2 degrees C.  Four of these six years saw the topmost emitter- the United States- out of the agreement. The urgency of the issue has led many experts to question our approach towards viewing environment systems or its more relevant terminology - Earth System Governance. This provides a fresh lease of life to the thinking of environmental issues, a pathway to explore novel solutions and ideas, and more effective governance to cope with the transitions that will take place in the coming decade. This Episode features  Professor Frank Biermann and  Dr. Dhanasree Jayaram. Prof. Frank Biermann is a professor of Global Sustainability Governance at Utrecht University, The Netherlands. Prof. Biermann also chairs the Earth System Governance Project, a global transdisciplinary research network launched in 2009.Dr. Dhanasree Jayaram is an Assistant Professor, Department of Geopolitics and International Relations, and Co-Coordinator, Centre for Climate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), Karnataka, India. Shownotes:1. Earth System Governance: https://www.earthsystemgovernance.org/ 2. Transforming governance and institutions for global sustainability: key insights from the  Earth System Governance Project. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2012.01.014 3. Navigating the anthropocene: the Earth System Governance Project strategy paper. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cosust.2010.04.005Attribution:The Bridge Project (2021), "Taking SDGs to the Last Mile: Earth System Governance and Sustainable Development", 23 May, 2021, URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/921337/episodes/8572742Research Credits:Dr. Dhanasree , Carl, Mrinmoy and Vignesh.Music Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredWholesome by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/5050-wholesomeLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at carl.jaison@thebridgeproject.in with your feedback!Visit our website: https://www.thebridgeproject.in/

Podcast Series on 'Taking SDGs to the Last Mile' in collaboration with Centre for Climate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)Episode 3, Part 2: Health & Heatwaves: How Cities CopeThe sounds of birds chirping early in the morning. Bustling activity & lively chatter on the streets. The cries of children playing at a maidan. And the grim, incessant honking at traffic signals. These evoke memories of a typical Indian city in our minds. But today, these very cities have been silenced by the ravaging pandemic. While the subject of health occupies a large part of our mindspace today, the looming threat of natural disasters such as heat waves deserve closer attention. We crave for a return to normalcy, which is, in other words, hearing those sounds once again that breathes life into our cities. The answer lies in better preparedness, both from a health and disaster response standpoints.This episode features Mr. Abiyant Tiwari who is an Assistant Professor & Program Manager at the Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management. He is trained as a Master of Public Health with a specialization in Environmental Health Sciences from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. Mr. Tiwari is also a member of the National Disaster Management Authority of India’s technical experts’ group that develops national guidelines for heatwave adaptation plans. In this episode, he begins by describing the steps taken to improve the healthcare infrastructure in our cities via digital solutions & surveillance apps. In the latter part of the podcast, Mr. Tiwari shares his experiences from working on Ahmedabad’s heatwave action plan, a critical innovation designed to provide early warning updates on those unforgiving temperature rises.Shownotes:1. Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan 2019, C40 Knowledge Hub (quote by Dr. Tejas Shah & other expert interviews)2. ACSyS (Advanced COVID 19 Syndromic Surveillance System), Gujarat Institute of Disaster Management (GIDM)3. Quality of Life in Indian Cities, Handbook of Emerging 21st-Century Cities4. Chapter 3 — Global Warming of 1.5 ºC - IPCC (section on impact of heatwaves on cities)5. Paper: Deadly Heat Stress to Become Commonplace Across South Asia Already at 1.5°C of Global Warming, Geophysical Research LettersAttribution:The Bridge Project (2021), "Taking SDGs to the Last Mile: Health & Heatwaves: How Cities Cope ", 23 May, 2021, URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/921337/8570326 Research Credits:Prarthana Puthran (Voice-over & Research), Carl Jaison (script)Music Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at carl.jaison@thebridgeproject.in with your feedback!

Podcast Series on 'Taking SDGs to the Last Mile' in collaboration with Centre for Climate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)Episode 3, Part 1: Re-Thinking Local GovernanceA rich diversity. Varied landscapes. An indomitable human spirit. Most of all, a simple yet complex idea. This is the India we know of. But how is the governance of this remarkably complex country having a population of 1.3 billion people organised? To be sure, India’s governance systems are every bit as sweeping as the country itself. The administrative levels are constituted by the Central government, State govts and local level governance. This third layer of complexity – the local level - consisting of the urban local bodies and municipalities – is the focus of this podcast. This podcast features Dr. Anjali K. Mohan an urban and regional planner by profession with a PhD in urban e-governance from International Institute of Information Technology, Bangalore. Dr. Anjali helps us understand & explore the various challenges encountered by city governance & the solutions that can be leveraged to better govern these units. We find out how ICT & digital governance solutions are only as good as your city & local urban administrations. Shownotes:1. Message from Wu Hongbo for the 2016 UN E-Government Survey, UN DESA2. Prime Minister Modi's speech at the Economic Times Global Business Summit 20163. Seminar Series on ‘The ‘Southern Tilt’ in the urban’ 4. Shillong Declaration on E-Governance (2019)Attribution:The Bridge Project (2021), "Taking SDGs to the Last Mile: Re-Thinking Local Governance ", 17 May, 2021, URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/921337/8519853 Research Credits:Carl Jaison (Voice-over & Research), Prarthana Puthran (Research)Music Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at carl.jaison@thebridgeproject.in with your feedback!

Podcast Series on 'Taking SDGs to the Last Mile' in collaboration with Centre for Climate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)Episode 2Global cities are increasingly becoming a crucial part of global climate governance, more so because of their ability to contribute to the journey of achieving the SDGs. Assessing the role of cities in global climate governance becomes an important study as much as studying the role of states in mitigating climate change.  From an international relations perspective as well, there is a connection between the global and the local levels. It is important to look at transnational municipal networks and their contribution to climate governance such as the C40 and what is it that they do to promote technology-based solutions as well as how do they contribute in forwarding the agendas necessary for cities to mitigate climate change. Climate change and technology interface in global environmental politics makes the study of the role of global cities a holistic one. To discuss on “Global Cities and Global Climate Governance”, we are joined by Dr. Marielle Papin, Postdoctoral Fellow, Political Science department, McGill University and Dr. Ana Carolina Evangelista Maud, Assistant Professor, International Relations Department, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana.Attribution:The Bridge Project (2021), "Taking SDGs to the Last Mile: Global Cities and Global Climate Governance ", 04 May, 2021, URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/921337/8451542 Research Credits:Dr. Dhanasree Jayaram (Host), Mrinmoy, Kurnica and Varun (Research)Music Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at carl.jaison@thebridgeproject.in with your feedback!

Podcast Series on 'Taking SDGs to the Last Mile' in collaboration with Centre for Climate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE)The Sustainable Development Goals was initiated in 2015 by the Member States at The United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development. Six years since the SDGs were launched, how have global & local economies adopted these goals? Unfortunately, a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic has pushed back progress on many of the goals by decades. As these goals become more important than ever before, how can economies and governments at all levels accelerate their efforts in reaching these goals?In order to address one of the primary concerns of taking SDGs to those who are most in need, The Bridge Project brings to you a series of podcasts under the theme- ‘Taking SDGs to the Last Mile’. We are delighted to collaborate with the Centre for Climate Studies at the Manipal Academy of Higher Education for this podcast series.Episode 1More than half of the world's population live in cities and by 2030, it is estimated that six out of ten people will be city dwellers. Cities have always been the engines of economic growth fueled by the continuous rural to urban migration. However, the capacity of our cities have touched alarming levels with respect to the demand and availability of resources & space. In this context, sustainability needs utmost attention from all stakeholders of society.To discuss the ‘Action on Cities and Communities’, we are joined by Dr. Arunabha Ghosh, CEO and Founder of Council for Energy, Environment and Water and Melissa Smith, Principal Architect and Urban Planner based in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. The discussion was moderated by Dr. Dhanasree Jayaram, Assistant Professor and Co-coordinator of the Centre for Climate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education. ShownotesWhat are the Sustainable Development Goals? (2015), UNDP IndiaBackground on the goals (2015), UNDP IndiaAttribution:The Bridge Project (2021), "Taking SDGs to the Last Mile: Action on Cities and Communities in India ", 04 April, 2021, URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/921337/8268259 Research Credits:Dr. Dhanasree Jayaram (Host), Mrinmoy and NavyaMusic Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at carl.jaison@thebridgeproject.in with your feedback!

Shownotes1. Amulya Gopalkrishnan, (2020) "Why public space isn't public unless women feel free",  Times of India2. Laura Bliss, (2014) "The Lack of Equal Bathroom Access for Women Is a Global Design Flaw",  Bloomberg3. Phadke, S., Khan, S., Ranade,S., (2016)"Give women equal access to public spaces", The Hindu4. Menon, N., (2017), "Seeing like a Feminist", Zubaan Books5. Phadke, S., Khan, S., Ranade,S., (2011), "Why Loiter: Women and Risk in Mumbai", VikingAttribution:The Bridge Project (2020), "Reclaiming Public Spaces " (9.0), 18 Oct, 2020, URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/921337/5945599  Research Credits:Navya Khanna and Prarthana Puthran (Hosts)Music Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at thebridgeproject2020@gmail.com with your generous feedback!

In the latest episode of The Bridge Project, Shekhar Narsimhan offers his take on the upcoming U.S Presidential elections and what it means for the future of America. Narsimhan is the Chairman and Founder of AAPI Victory Fund, an organisation that focuses on mobilizing eligible voters from the Asian American and Pacific Islanders communities and moving them to the ballot box. Narsimhan speaks on a range of issues including the latest on the debate performances of U.S President Donald Trump and Democratic Nominee Joe Biden, the significance of the recent Vice-Presidential Debate, the impact of voting-by-mail, the possibility of violence in the aftermath of the elections and the key issues that matter to the Indian American community. This episode was co-hosted by Rajesh Mehta, an International Consultant & Columnist and Carl Jaison, Co-Founder, The Bridge Project. Attribution:The Bridge Project (2020), "Exclusive Interaction with Shekhar Narasimhan, Chairman & Founder, AAPI Victory Fund" (8.0), 08 October, 2020, URL:  Research Credits:Carl Jaison & Rajesh Mehta (hosts)Music Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at thebridgeproject2020@gmail.com with your generous feedback!

Today, the U.S is India’s largest trade partner, with close to $150 billion in two-way trade between the democracies. More than two decades ago, it was just $11 billion. Indo-US defence trade, on the other hand, has risen from close to zero in 2008 to $18 billion today with an array of strategic agreements signed & greater convergence of strategic interests realised than during any other point in their otherwise contentious history. Further, U.S investments add up to around $28 billion in India along with the slew of American firms that hire India’s technical workforce. Even Indian firms have invested around $18 billion to go with its much-celebrated IT outsourcing services. On the cultural front, Indian-Americans now make up the largest PIO community anywhere in the world with estimates showing around 4 million live in the U.S at present. Additionally, the diaspora community is also one of the wealthiest sub-groups by income, a testament both to their relative success and the hallowed tenet of the American Dream. Exploring these three pillars – of politics, business and diaspora- this episode seeks to understand the changes and continuities in Indo-US relations over the years, especially with the next U.S Presidential elections just round the corner and what it portends for the relationship between the two countries in the coming years. This makes the India-U.S relationship, certainly, one for the ages.In this episode, we are joined by Arun M Kumar, Chairman and CEO, KPMG India; Sanjeev Joshipura, Executive Director, Indiaspora and Rajesh Mehta, an International Consultant and Columnist. Thanks to Indiaspora & Rajesh Mehta for setting up this conversation with KPMG India.References1. Indian Americans Vote 2020 Voter Survey Results, Joint Report by Indiaspora and AAPI Data, 15 September 20202. Indian Roots, American Soil, A Survey of Indian Industry's Business Footprint in the United States, CII Report, Sixth Edition 20203. Megha Bahree, India Needs 'Regulatory Coherence,' U.S.-India Business Council Says, Forbes India, 10 July 20194. Kashish Parpiani, Understanding India–US trade tensions beyond trade imbalances, ORF, 05 February 20205. Manjeet Kripalani and Michael Mandel, A New World for India and the United States, Gateway House, 30 July 2020Attribution:The Bridge Project (2020), "Future of US-India Relations: Business, Politics and Diaspora" (7.0), 24 Sept, 2020, URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/921337/5584759 Research Credits:Carl Jaison (host), Research (Mukul Bhatia and Raunaq Puri)Music Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at thebridgeproject2020@gmail.com with your generous feedback!

In this podcast, The Bridge Project in association with The Peacebuilding Project, attempts to not just get a better understanding of complex issues related to peace and conflict studies but also understand the work of researchers and practitioners who contribute to this discipline. We are joined by Rhea Mahanta, Founder & President, The Peacebuilding Project & Civil Affairs Officer, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and Dr. Rityusha Tiwary, Assistant Professor, University of Delhi & Visiting Fellow, Institute of Chinese Studies, Delhi. Why do they research on these issues? Are there different approaches to peace? What is the role of multiple identities in a conflict? Tune in to get answers to these questions.Attribution:The Bridge Project (2020), "Peace and Conflict Resolution" (6.0), 20 Sept, 2020, URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/921337/5516137 Research Credits:Navya Khanna Music Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at thebridgeproject2020@gmail.com with your generous feedback!

In the third episode of this series, we talk about Pakistan’s strategy of sub-conventional warfare and India's likely response options. We are joined by Pranay Kotasthane, who is Faculty & Head of Research, Takshashila Institution and co-hosts the Hindi podcast Puliyabaazi.You can follow Pranay Kotasthane on Twitter here: @pranaykotasRecommendations:1. B. Raman, The Kaoboys of R&AW: Down Memory Lane, Lancer2. Husain Haqqani, Pakistan: Between Mosque and Military, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace3. Ayesha Siddiqa, Military Inc.: Inside Pakistan's Military Economy, Pluto Press4. T.C.A Raghavan, The People Next Door: The Curious History of India-Pakistan Relations, HarperCollins5. Tilak Devasher, Pakistan: Courting the Abyss, HarperCollinsAttribution:The Bridge Project (2020), "Pakistan's Sub-Conventional Warfare and India's Options" (5.3), 13 Sept, 2020, URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/921337/5414596 Research Credits:Prateek Joshi (Host), Aishani Jaiswal (Host)Music Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at thebridgeproject2020@gmail.com with your generous feedback!

Afghanistan has been mired in conflict for over 40 years. In February of this year, the signing of the agreement between the US and Taliban marked a milestone in America’s longest war. However, at present, as the US presence in the country is dwindling, Indian foreign policy in Afghanistan stands at a cross-road. Fear of losing in ‘the Great Game’ has led some to suggest opening a dialogue with the Taliban. Others have pointed out that talking to the Taliban will not serve any purpose since the group is closely tied to Pakistan and still maintains its linkages with the terrorist organisations. In this background, it becomes imperative to discuss the emerging scenario in Afghanistan and what the policy options are likely to be for India after the withdrawal of the US troops from the country.In the second episode of The Bridge Project Exclusives on “India's National Security Challenges”, we talk about Afghanistan’s peace process and India’s role. We are extremely privileged to have with us Amar Sinha, a member of the National Security Advisory Board and former Ambassador to Afghanistan and Dr. Avinash Paliwal, who is a Senior Lecturer and the Deputy Director of South Asia Institute at SOAS.In this episode, they discuss the implications of the global war on terror in Afghanistan, the ongoing peace process, Taliban 2.0, India’s policy options, and the role of regional countries.References1. Avinash Paliwal, "India must support its allies in Kabul", The Hindustan Times, 24 February, 20202. Interview, "India must not give Taliban legitimacy until it joins intra-Afghan talks, says former envoy Amar Sinha", The Hindu, 17 May, 20203. Book by Avinash Paliwal, "My Enemy's Enemy: India in Afghanistan from the Soviet Invasion to the US Withdrawal", Harper Collins.4. C. Raja Mohan, "As it ponders talks with Taliban, Delhi should focus on complex geopolitics of the Pashtun lands", The Indian Express, 26 May, 20205. Davood Moradian, "India should play an active role in articulating and promoting a peace process in Afghanistan", The Indian Express, 27 June, 2020Attribution:The Bridge Project (2020), "Afghanistan's Peace Process and India's Role" (5.2), 06 Sept, 2020, URL: https://www.buzzsprout.com/921337/5313844Research Credits:Dr Yatharth Kachiar (Host), Navya Khanna (Host)Music Credits:Inspired by Kevin MacLeodLink: https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3918-inspiredLicense: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Write to us at thebridgeproject2020@gmail.com with your generous feedback!