

The Core Report
The Core
Every Monday to Saturday, tune in as financial journalist and host Govindraj Ethiraj gives you the latest news in business, economy and technology
Episodes
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Jan 24, 2026 • 41min
#782 Why CNG Is Beating Petrol & Diesel In India’s Cities | Govindraj Ethiraj x Kamal Kishore Chatiwal, Indraprastha Gas Limited | India Energy Week 2025 | The Core Report
Why CNG is beating petrol and diesel in India’s cities is no longer a prediction. It is already changing everyday mobility and household energy choices across urban India.In this India Energy Week 2026 special episode of The Core Report, Financial Journalist Govindraj Ethiraj speaks with Kamal Kishore Chatiwal, Managing Director, Indraprastha Gas Limited. The conversation explains why CNG adoption in India is accelerating faster than petrol and diesel, even as electric vehicles dominate public debate.From Delhi NCR to emerging cities and rural regions, this episode breaks down the real drivers behind CNG’s growth. Lower running costs, cleaner emissions, improved vehicle performance, shorter refuelling queues, and a rapidly expanding CNG station network are making gas the preferred fuel for a large segment of India’s middle-income urban population.The discussion also goes beyond mobility to examine India’s broader gas-based economy. It explores piped natural gas for homes and villages, compressed biogas from agricultural and municipal waste, domestic gas production, imported LNG, and how city gas distribution companies are quietly reshaping energy access across the country.This episode cuts through assumptions and forecasts to offer a grounded view of how affordability, infrastructure, and scale are shaping India’s energy transition in real time, and why CNG continues to gain relevance alongside newer technologies.Register for India Energy Week 2026: https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegate

Jan 23, 2026 • 33min
#781 From Oil To Hydrogen: BPCL’s Roadmap For India’s Energy Transition | Govindraj Ethiraj x Sanjay Khanna, BPCL | India Energy Week 2026 | The Core Report
From Oil To Hydrogen BPCL’s roadmap for India’s energy transition is at the heart of this special episode of The Core Report from India Energy Week 2026. Financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj is in conversation with Sanjay Khanna, Director Refineries and Additional Charge of Chairman and Managing Director at BPCL, on how India’s energy future is being shaped amid global uncertainty and rising demand.As India navigates the shift from fossil fuels to cleaner energy, this discussion explores how BPCL is strengthening its core refining and fuel operations while investing in hydrogen, ethanol, renewables, petrochemicals, and digital transformation. The conversation offers a rare inside view of Project Aspire, BPCL’s long-term strategy to drive growth, energy security, and decarbonisation at scale.Sanjay Khanna explains BPCL’s green hydrogen journey, including falling hydrogen costs, electrolyser projects, and the role of hydrogen in mobility and transport. He also shares why oil and gas will continue to coexist with renewables in India’s energy mix, how geopolitical risks are managed through diversified crude sourcing, and what makes Indian refineries uniquely flexible in handling global crude varieties.The episode also covers ethanol blending, biofuels, flex fuel readiness, LNG as a transition fuel, renewable energy expansion, carbon capture, petrochemicals, and the growing role of AI and digital tools in improving refinery efficiency and reliability. For professionals following India’s economy, energy security, climate goals, or corporate strategy, this conversation delivers depth, clarity, and long-term perspective.This India Energy Week 2026 special edition is essential viewing for business leaders, consultants, policymakers, investors, and professionals seeking to understand how India is balancing growth, sustainability, and energy transition in a rapidly changing world.Subscribe to The Core Report for trusted conversations on business, energy, policy, and the forces shaping India’s future.Register for India Energy Week 2026: https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegate

Jan 22, 2026 • 30min
#780 The Head Spinning Greenland U-Turn Lifts Markets
On Episode 780 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Vijai Mantri, Founder & Chief Investment Strategist at JRL Money as well as Anindya Banerjee, Head – Currency & Commodity Research, Kotak Securities. We also feature an excerpt from our recent India Energy Week interview with Vikas Kaushal, Chairman and Managing Director at HPCL.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(00:50) The Head spinning Greenland U-Turn lifts markets(02:50) Foreign capital is moving to safety, why is that?(09:58) Are we nearing peak oil and what that means for India (16:54) What's happening in the silver markets?(27:50) FeedbackEnergy Special featuring Vikas Kaushal, CMD, HPCLRegister for India Energy Week 2026https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegateFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube

Jan 22, 2026 • 47min
How India’s Oil Giants Are Preparing for Energy Shocks in 2026 | Govindraj Ethiraj x Vikas Kaushal, Chairman & Managing Director of HPCL | India Energy Week 2026 | The Core Report
India Energy Outlook 2026 looks at how India’s oil giants and oil CEOs are preparing for energy shocks amid global uncertainty. In this India Energy Week 2026 special episode of The Core Report, Financial Journalist Govindraj Ethiraj is in conversation with Vikas Kaushal, Chairman & Managing Director of HPCL, on the future of India’s oil, gas, and energy sector.As India targets high economic growth, energy demand continues to rise across oil, gas, power, renewables, aviation fuel, LPG, and petrochemicals. This episode explains where India stands today on crude oil imports, refining capacity, fuel consumption, and distribution — and why oil and gas remain central to India’s energy security even as renewables scale rapidly.Kaushal shares how Indian oil companies are preparing for 2026 by diversifying crude sourcing, expanding refining capacity, strengthening cost structures, and building resilience against geopolitical disruptions. The discussion also examines why oil prices remained relatively stable through 2025 despite global tensions, how companies plan for supply risks such as the Strait of Hormuz, and what greater agility in trading and operations means for the sector.Beyond production and imports, the conversation explores how India’s energy transition is reshaping consumer-facing businesses. From EV charging and cleaner fuel stations to automation, digital monitoring, service quality, and customer experience, energy companies are evolving to meet changing expectations.The episode also covers petrochemicals, capital deployment, industry collaboration, and insights from India Energy Week, highlighting why India’s energy story in 2026 is not about choosing between oil and renewables, but about managing scale, resilience, and long-term growth.This conversation offers clear insights for professionals tracking India’s economy, oil and gas strategy, energy transition, manufacturing, policy, and global energy trends.Subscribe to The Core Report for in-depth conversations on India’s economy, business, energy, and global affairs.Register for India Energy Week 2026: https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegate

Jan 21, 2026 • 28min
#779 Indian Markets Are Taking The Hardest Hit Of All
On Episode 779 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Monisha Advani, one of the founding partners of Emmay Entertainment (the company that produced the Freedom at Midnight series). We also feature an excerpt from our recent episode of our show How India’s Economy Works, hosted by journalist and author Puja Mehra and featuring Dr. Jahangir Aziz, Economist (Head Emerging Market Economics) at JPMorgan and a former finance ministry official.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:00) Indian markets are taking the hardest hit of all(05:05) Global oil markets will be in deep surplus in 2026 first quarter, says IEA(07:32) What India’s falling core inflation numbers are really telling us(17:03) Why Indian viewers are devouring historical nonfiction across platforms right now(26:23) India’s latest and most beautiful GCC, quite literallyRegister for India Energy Week 2026https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegateFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube

Jan 20, 2026 • 30min
#778 India Joins Global Markets In Greenland-Triggered Fall
Ambareesh Baliga, a seasoned market expert, and Prasanna Tantri, an Associate Professor of Finance, explore the recent turmoil in global markets linked to geopolitical tensions and their impact on India. Baliga shares insights on how investor behavior and overvaluations are leading to significant sell-offs. Meanwhile, Tantri emphasizes the need for sensible government spending cuts to bolster economic stability. They also discuss the effects of fiscal policies on investments like healthcare, highlighting the importance of strategic capital expenditure.

Jan 19, 2026 • 28min
#777 Weak Earnings Are Now Putting Pressure On Indian Markets
On Episode 777 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks you through the top business news of the day. We are also featuring excerpts from our recent India Energy Week interview featuring Arun Kumar Singh, Chairman and Managing Director at the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) as well as from our In Studio interview featuring Anuj Kumar, Managing Director at CAMS.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:19) Weak earnings are now putting pressure on Indian markets(04:00) Mutual fund investors have not had a good year, will they hold on?(07:00) Wall Street’s Magnificent Seven are coming apart(08:40) Gold, silver hit fresh highs. Silver prices are up 30% this year already or in three weeks(09:16) IMF raises India growth projection slightly to 7.3% for current year(10:28) The art and science to exploring and drilling for oil(21:37) How women investors are becoming sole owners of mutual fund accountsRegister for our Exclusive live event on the Budget 2026https://tinyurl.com/pod21212 Register for India Energy Week 2026https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegateFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube

Jan 18, 2026 • 24min
#776 Markets Operate In Technical Territory
On Episode 776 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Rahul Charkha, Partner at Economic Laws Practice. We also feature an excerpt from our recent India Energy Week interview featuring Atanu Mukherjee, President and CEO at Dastur Energy.SHOW NOTES(00:00) The Take(05:43) Markets operate in technical territory as they wait for fresh triggers(05:59) WEF, Davos kicks off today but is unlikely to provide much hope to global business and trade.(08:11) Copper hits record highs too(09:14) How energy markets adjusted for geopolitical risks in 2025 and what that means for 2026.(14:49) The Supreme Court ruling on a Tiger Global sale of shares to Walmart from 2018 has created a stir. What does it mean for other transactions?Register for our Exclusive live event on the Budget 2026https://tinyurl.com/pod21212 Register for India Energy Week 2026https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegateFull Interview with Atanu MukherjeeFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube

12 snips
Jan 17, 2026 • 33min
#775 Why Oil Prices May Stay Low in 2026 & What It Means for India | Govindraj Ethiraj | The Core Report
This conversation features Atanu Mukherjee, CEO of Dastur Energy, a keen analyst on global energy trends. They explore the potential for low oil prices in 2026, driven by an oversupply crisis and a shifting OPEC landscape. Mukherjee delves into India's energy strategy, discussing the implications of importing Russian and Venezuelan oil. He emphasizes the rising demand for energy due to AI and data centers, and the need for a diversified approach that includes gas and coal alongside renewables to ensure energy security and affordability.

Jan 15, 2026 • 25min
#774 Iran Tensions Lead To Markets Flip Flopping
On Episode 774 of The Core Report, financial journalist Govindraj Ethiraj talks to Nishank Goyal, CEO at Masters India.SHOW NOTES(00:00) Stories of the Day(01:14) Iran tensions lead to markets flip flopping(03:12) Gold, silver hit record highs again, quite predictably(04:03) Indian exports to the US are holding steady for now(05:52) Oil prices pull back as US says will not attack Iran for now(12:02) China trade surplus hits record $1.19 trillion despite US tariffs(13:13) Tax and Technology(22:29) FeedbackRegister for our Exclusive live event on the Budget 2026https://tinyurl.com/pod21212 Register for India Energy Week 2026https://www.indiaenergyweek.com/forms/register-as-a-delegateFor more of our coverage check out thecore.inSubscribe to our NewsletterFollow us on:Twitter |Instagram |Facebook |Linkedin |Youtube


