Pathikrit Payne has over 20 years of experience in journalism and policy analysis. He is currently a Senior Fellow at the Syama Prasad Mookerjee Research Foundation.

Sanjay Bhardwaj is the former Chairperson of the Centre for South Asian Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University's School of International Studies. He specialises in India's foreign policy towards its neighbours, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, and China.

In this episode of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the Gen Z-led protests in India's neighbouring countries, the rise of the Cockroach Janata Party, and whether Gen Z has the power to influence or even topple a government in India.

00:00 - Introduction

01:40 - Youth in West Bengal & Tamil Nadu

13:55 - Youth Protests Around the World

21:44 - Challenges to Democracy

33:53 - Are India's Youth Angry?

46:04 - Gen Z Protests

1:02:10 - The Sanatan Debate

1:12:40 - Do Neighbours Distrust India?

1:24:33 - India-Bangladesh Relations

1:37:57 - The Aspirations of Today's Youth

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

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

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

01:20 – TMC's Collapse

08:05 – Defections in TMC

15:10 – The Fall of Abhishek Banerjee

23:31 – Congress & Regional Parties

31:53 – Congress–TMC Merger?

37:57 – TVK-Congress Alliance

47:33 – Rahul Gandhi vs Modi in 2029?

54:27 – BJP's Core Voters

1:00:23 – Why Voters Relate to Modi

1:08:19 – Modi's Feedback Mechanism

1:14:44 – Rajasthan Congress & Sachin Pilot

1:24:46 – Punjab Assembly Polls 2027

1:31:58 – UP Polls 2027

1:38:48 – Journalists and Politicians

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

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

00:00 – Introduction

00:55 – U.S.–Iran Peace Deal

07:45 – What Israel Wants Next

09:22 – Defence vs Aggression

18:00 – Trump & Netanyahu Relationship

19:47 – Iran’s Nuclear Program

24:32 – Strait of Hormuz Crisis

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

35:02 – Netanyahu Under Pressure?

43:04 – Humanitarian Cost of War

46:35 – Two-State Solution

51:50 – India–Israel Relations

53:10 – Israel’s Wartime Economy

55:24 – Modi’s Visit & Iran Strikes

59:18 – Six Shared India–Israel Values

1:03:21 – Trade & Investment Future

1:08:23 – Pakistan as a Mediator