In Focus by The Hindu

Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Affairs Editor, and Ananth Krishnan, Director at The Hindu Group, explore the significance of Prime Minister Modi's visit to China at the SCO summit after seven years. They discuss whether the Modi-Xi meeting heralds a normalization in India-China ties amidst tensions with the US. The duo examines the evolving diplomatic landscape, potential economic collaborations, and the importance of understanding territorial disputes and security concerns while analyzing the future of these complex bilateral relations.

Shashank Pandey, a lawyer and founder of the Politics and Disability Forum, discusses the critical challenges faced by persons with disabilities in India. He highlights the importance of the Unique Disability ID card for accessing government benefits, emphasizing that only 39% of those eligible have one. The podcast delves into employment barriers, particularly the strict 40% disability threshold that limits job reservations. Additionally, Shashank addresses the educational hurdles for children with disabilities, including the lack of resources and support systems, and the gender disparities in disability representation.

Divya Jaishankar, founder of a specialty café in Chennai and a master roaster, dives into the world of coffee amid soaring global prices. She discusses the intricate journey of coffee from farm to cup, highlighting the challenges farmers face due to climate change. The conversation covers how rising costs could turn beloved brews into luxuries and explores alternative options like chicory. Divya also shares insights on emerging cafe culture as social hubs and offers tips for enjoying coffee while managing expenses.

Meera Srinivasan, Sri Lanka Correspondent for The Hindu, shares her expertise on the recent historic arrest of former president Ranil Wickremesinghe for misuse of state funds, signaling a pivotal moment for accountability in Sri Lankan politics. She highlights the ascent of reformist leader Anura Kumara Dissanayake and the promise of a clean break from the past. The conversation also dives into the implications for the economy, democracy, and Sri Lanka's complex relationships with regional powers like India and China amid ongoing political unrest.

Cameron Johnson, a Senior Partner at Tidalwave Solutions and an expert on Chinese trade, dives into the shifting dynamics between India and China amid U.S. tariffs on Indian exports. He discusses how India can leverage its manufacturing capabilities and youthful population to navigate these challenges. The conversation covers the importance of building a robust manufacturing ecosystem, drawing strategies from China, and harnessing technology for growth. Johnson also emphasizes collaboration over competition to foster mutual economic benefits.

During his Independence Day speech, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a “Deepavali gift” to the people in the form of next-generation Goods and Services Tax (GST) reforms. The Ministry of Finance subsequently said that a large part of these reforms involved moving GST from the current four-tier system to a two-tier structure of 5% and 18%, along with an overall lowering of the average tax rate. What impact will this proposal have on revenues? And should the States be compensated for revenue loss? Here we discuss the question Guests: Manoj Mishra, Partner at Grant Thornton Bharat; Pratik Jain, Partner at Price Waterhouse & Co LLP Host: T.C.A. Sharad Raghavan Edited by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Prasanna Tantri, an Associate Professor of Finance and Executive Director at the Centre for Analytical Finance, delves into the impact of AI on India's banking sector. He discusses the Reserve Bank of India's guidelines for ethical AI use, focusing on mitigating risks like bias. The conversation covers AI's role in fraud detection and credit scoring, the necessity of human judgment, and the challenges of data consent. Tantri also highlights the need for innovation alongside regulatory frameworks to balance safety and progress in fintech.

Soumitra Pathare, Director of the Centre for Mental Health, Law & Policy, Pune, explores the risks of relying on AI like ChatGPT for mental health support. The conversation highlights issues such as emotional dependency and the lack of empathy from AI. Pathare discusses the implications of AI in reinforcing delusions and its role in navigating urban loneliness. He calls for a balance between human connections and AI assistance, urging caution in treating chatbots as substitutes for real therapy, especially among vulnerable users.

Since October 2023, more than 200 journalists have been killed in Gaza, a Palestinian territory that has seen extensive destruction, displacement and death. More recently, on August 10, 2025, an Israeli drone strike killed seven reporters in a media tent in Gaza City—underscoring the dangers of telling these stories. With food, water and medicine scarce, and press freedom under siege, the question remains: how can the world protect those who continue risking everything to report the truth? Guest: Sarah Qudah, Middle East and North Africa Regional Director, Committee to Protect Journalists Host: Anupama Chandrasekaran Edited and produced by Jude Francis Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Manu Joseph, a journalist and author known for 'Why The Poor Don’t Kill Us', dives into India’s stark social inequalities. He explores why the poor don’t revolt despite extreme exploitation, discussing the psychological dimensions of poverty and contrasting perceptions between Indian and Western societies. The conversation also touches on the cultural aspects of austerity, the stigmas of pawnbrokers, and the nuances of class dynamics. With humor, he critiques societal views on small dog breeds, adding a light-hearted twist to serious themes.