In this episode of The India Briefing, former Chief Economic Advisor Arvind Subramanian joins hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari for a wide-ranging and incisive conversation on the state of the Indian economy. Drawing on decades of experience as a policy insider and analyst, Subramanian offers a candid assessment of India’s growth narrative, the reliability of GDP data, and the deeper structural challenges facing the economy today.
From the persistent divide between richer southern and western states and the poorer Hindi heartland, to the ongoing struggles with informality, underemployment, and regional inequality, the discussion delves into the complexities that headline numbers often obscure. Subramanian also reflects on India’s missed opportunities in manufacturing, the risks posed by regulatory overreach, and the challenges of attracting private and foreign investment amidst political and economic uncertainty.
With insights on India’s welfare state, fiscal policy, the future of agriculture, and the geopolitical forces shaping India’s economic options, this episode is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand where the Indian economy is headed—and what needs to change to make growth more inclusive and sustainable.
Produced by Oijo Media Pvt Ltd | www.oijo.in
Further Links –
https://www.business-standard.com/opinion/columns/reducing-gdp-discrepancies-india-needs-radical-improvements-in-estimation-125040701339_1.html - Reducing GDP Discrepancies by Arvind Subramanian
https://www.indiabudget.gov.in/economicsurvey/ - Economic Survey (2024-25)
https://asercentre.org/aser-2024/ - ASER Reports on Education in India
https://www.hks.harvard.edu/centers/cid/publications/faculty-working-papers/india-gdp-overestimate - India's GDP Mis-estimation: Likelihood, Magnitudes, Mechanisms, and Implications by Arvind Subramanian
https://ashoka.edu.in/static/doc_uploads/file_1602585593.pdf - India’s Inward (Re)Turn by Arvind Subramanian & Shoumitro Chatterjee
https://www.mercatus.org/ideasofindia/rohit-lamba-reimagines-indias-economic-policy-emphasis - Rohit Lamba Reimagines India’s Economic Policy Emphasis
https://indianexpress.com/article/opinion/columns/narendra-modi-modinomics-foreign-investment-make-in-india-foreign-direct-investment-9429419/ - Why Modinomics has failed to attract foreign investment by Arvind Subramanian & Josh Felman
https://casi.sas.upenn.edu/sites/default/files/iit/Growth%20in%20India%27s%20States%20-%20UK%2C%20AS.pdf - Growth in India's States in the First Decade of the 21st Century: Four Facts by Arvind Subramanian & Utsav Kumar
In this special episode of The India Briefing, Nobel Laureate and development economist Esther Duflo joins hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pya Tiwari for a wide-ranging conversation on poverty, inequality, and evidence-based policymaking in India. Duflo, whose path breaking work on Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) has transformed development economics, reflects on two decades of field research across India through the lens of J-PAL—the global research centre she co-founded to reduce poverty by ensuring policy is informed by scientific evidence.
From Tamil Nadu’s welfare innovations to the promise and pitfalls of cash transfers, the episode unpacks the structural realities of India’s poverty alleviation strategies, and the urgent need for better data. Duflo also speaks candidly about common misconceptions about the poor, why children from low-income households struggle in school, and how the role of economists has shifted—from prescribing grand theories to fixing the plumbing of policy.
With insights into the gender gap in labour force participation, the unequal impact of climate change, and the evolving welfare state, this episode is essential listening for anyone seeking to understand how India can shape a more equitable future.
Further Links -
https://open.spotify.com/episode/2avs2N1iDzeE5rbGgWj7Jw - Podcast EP: Cash Transfer for Women: The New Trend Shaping Indian Electoral Politics
https://www.povertyactionlab.org/ - J-PAL: Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab
https://poverty-action.org/study/graduating-ultra-poor-india - Graduating the Ultra Poor in India
https://pubdocs.worldbank.org/en/394531465569503682/Esther-Duflo-PRESENTATION.pdf - Randomized Controlled Trials, Development Economics and Policy Making in Developing Countries by Esther Duflo
https://wid.world/www-site/uploads/2024/03/WorldInequalityLab_WP2024_09_Income-and-Wealth-Inequality-in-India-1922-2023_Final.pdf - Income And Wealth Inequality In India, 1922-2023: The Rise Of The Billionaire Raj
https://www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=10.1257/pandp.20181073#:~:text=We%20plot%20the%20curve%20of,growth%20rates%20at%20the%20top. - The Elephant Curve of Global Inequality and Growth
https://www.ideasforindia.in/topics/poverty-inequality/weighty-evidence-poverty-estimation-with-missing-data.html - Weighty evidence? Poverty estimation with missing data by Jean Drèze & Anmol Somanchi
https://www.povertyactionlab.org/case-study/teaching-right-level-improve-learning - Teaching at the Right Level to improve learning
https://news.mit.edu/2025/study-shows-kids-use-different-math-skills-work-vs-school-0205 - Study in India shows kids use different math skills at work vs. school
https://www.ft.com/content/2fa5787c-7139-405d-aecc-b07a493cb304 - Esther Duflo: Rich world owes $500bn in ‘moral debt’ to poor countries
https://www.weforum.org/stories/2024/08/india-economy-natural-climate-solutions/#:~:text=India's%20economy%20will%20be%20severely%20affected%20by%20climate%20change&text=Some%2033%25%20of%20its%20GDP,and%20water%20utilities%20and%20construction. - Climate Action; World Economic Forum
https://www.preventionweb.net/news/women-frontlines-heat-surveys-informing-climate-resilience#:~:text=In%20informal%20settlements%2C%20women%20are,their%20days%20on%20household%20chores. - Women on the frontlines of heat: the surveys informing climate resilience
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0305750X17301663#:~:text=Female%20LFPR%20has%20been%20declining,for%20skilled%20female%20job%20seekers - Why is the Labour Force Participation of Women Declining in India?
https://idronline.org/article/gender/whats-going-on-with-indias-female-labour-force-participation/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw5PK_BhBBEiwAL7GTPRT1BYa4BJs3Rs25kySfpFmdw-ZRfk5URqf4jIIN05Po0tMzup4xpBoCvX4QAvD_BwE - What’s going on with India’s female labour force participation?
This episode of The India Briefing delves into The Great Mughals exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum, which celebrates the artistic and cultural achievements of the Mughal Empire’s golden age (1560–1660). Hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari are joined by historian and author Ira Mukhoty to explore the dynasty’s true origins, the influence of Mughal women, and the rich artistic legacy left behind by Akbar, Jahangir, and Shah Jahan. Through a discussion of rare artifacts—including Persian manuscripts, mother-of-pearl shields, and European-inspired paintings—this episode unpacks how the Mughals shaped India’s pluralistic identity and aesthetic traditions.
The conversation also highlights the cosmopolitan nature of the Mughal court, the interplay of different cultural influences, and the lasting imprint of Mughal art and patronage on Indian history. As the exhibition runs until 5th May, this episode serves as a compelling companion for those looking to understand the deeper historical context behind the objects on display.
Show notes
https://www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/great-mughals-art-architecture-opulence?srsltid=AfmBOoofJC4kPAJ8bGyjUeo3pExEK2yls2AmqUwpvdMUiQiruLx460KP - V&A Exhitbition
https://books.google.co.uk/books/about/Daughters_of_the_Sun.html?id=XjaYuQEACAAJ&source=kp_book_description&redir_esc=y - Daughters of the Sun: Empresses, Queens and Begums of the Mughal Empire by Ira Mukhoty
In this episode, Pragya Tiwari and Mukulika Banerjee take a step back from the news cycle to reflect on the broader question of democracy and how we can ‘cultivate’ it.
They use the idea of ‘cultivating democracy’ as a framework to look at the socio-political faultlines that impact the health of democracies world over.
The discussion is based on Mukulika’s recent inaugural lecture at the London School of Economics. It also links with Pragya’s work as a journalist, on how democracy manifests and operates on ground. This broad discussion on democratic ethos travels from rural farmlands to international universities and attempts to supplement conversations on democratic rights and institutions.
Show notes :
In this episode of The India Briefing, our hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari speak with Navtej Sarna and Ashley Tellis to analyse the evolving India-US bilateral relationship, particularly in light of Prime Minister Modi's recent visit to Washington. Our guests help untangle the complexities of trade dynamics, immigration issues, and the interplay between domestic politics and foreign policy. Listen in for insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for both nations, emphasizing the importance of strategic convergence amidst a changing global order.
More about Navtej Sarna -
Navtej Sarna was born in 1957 to Punjabi litterateurs Mohinder Singh Sarna and Surjit Sarna. He joined the Indian Foreign Service in 1980 and served as an Indian diplomat for the next 38 years. His diplomatic journey included assignments in places as diverse as Moscow and Warsaw, Thimphu and Tehran. He held several critical appointments including as the Foreign Office Spokesman, India’s Ambassador to Israel, High Commissioner to the UK and Secretary to the Government of India. He retired from diplomatic service in 2018 as India’s ambassador to the United States.
Pursing a parallel passion as a writer, Navtej Sarna has written ten books that explore different genres – novels, short stories, travel, literary essays and translations. He has been a prolific columnist and commentator on policy, literary and cultural matters, contributing regularly to journals in India and abroad.
Sarna is now a full-time writer, dividing his time between New Delhi and Mashobra in the Shimla Hills. His latest work is the highly acclaimed historical novel, Crimson Spring.
www.navtejsarna.in | X - https://x.com/navtejsarna
https://www.navtejsarna.in/post/how-to-do-business-with-donald-trump-in-his-second-term
Ashley Tellis
Ashley J. Tellis is the Tata Chair for Strategic Affairs and a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, specializing in international security and U.S. foreign and defense policy with a special focus on Asia and the Indian subcontinent.
While on assignment to the U.S. Department of State as senior adviser to the undersecretary of state for political affairs, he was intimately involved in negotiating the civil nuclear agreement with India.
Previously he was commissioned into the U.S. Foreign Service and served as senior adviser to the ambassador at the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi. He also served on the National Security Council staff as special assistant to President George W. Bush and senior director for strategic planning and Southwest Asia. Prior to his government service, Tellis was senior policy analyst at the RAND Corporation and professor of policy analysis at the RAND Graduate School.
He is a counselor at the National Bureau of Asian Research, the research director of its Strategic Asia program, and co-editor of the program’s eighteen most recent annual volumes, including this year’s Strategic Asia: Reshaping Economic Interdependence in the Indo-Pacific.
He is the author of Striking Asymmetries: Nuclear Transitions in Southern Asia (2022) and India’s Emerging Nuclear Posture (2001), the co-author of Interpreting China’s Grand Strategy: Past, Present, and Future (2000), and the co-editor of Getting India Back on Track (2014) and Grasping Greatness: Making India a Leading Power (2022) among other significant publications.
https://carnegieendowment.org/people/ashley-j-tellis
TIB offers a deep dive into India’s dynamic landscape. Hosted by academic Mukulika Banerjee and journalist Pragya Tiwari, this podcast delivers insightful updates on India’s politics, economy, and culture. Whether you’re studying, investing, or simply curious about the country, join us for crisp conversations and debates that decode India’s role in global affairs.
Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari interviewProfessor Christophe Jaffrelot, a prominent scholar on violence, caste, and Indian politics, currently leading the research projectThe Indian Muslim Today at Sciences Po, where he is a Professor and CERI-CNRS Senior Research Fellow.
The conversation delves into key themes such as socio-economic conditions, institutional exclusion, communal violence, ghettoization, and the decline of Muslim leadership. Jaffrelot underscores the growing climate of fear among researchers and the evolving influence of social media on public narratives. His research highlights the persistent marginalization of Muslims in India, particularly in northern regions, despite perceptions of them as a "pampered minority." Educational dropouts and the decline of Urdu in the north are highlighted as concerning trends. Nonetheless, Jaffrelot remains optimistic about the potential for inclusive policies and development-driven progress.
References
The Hindu Nationalist Movement and Indian Politics, 1925 to the 1990s, By Christophe Jaffrelot
Rise of the plebeians ? The changing face of Indian legislative assemblies, By Christophe Jaffrelot and S. Kuamr
India’s Silent Revolution – The Rise of the Lower Castes in North India,. By Christophe Jaffrelot
Dr Ambedkar and Untouchability. Analysing and Fighting Caste, By Christophe Jaffrelot
Muslims of Indian Cities. Trajectories of marginalization, By Christophe Jaffrelot and Laurent Geyer
The BJP and the compulsions of politics in India, By Christophe Jaffrelot and T.B. Hansen
The Sangh Parivar : a Reader, By Christophe Jaffrelot
In this episode of The India Briefing, hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari delve into the enduring legacy of the sari with author and publisher Malvika Singh. Her latest book, Saris of Memory, intertwines her personal life story with India’s post-independence journey, using the sari as a central motif.
The discussion explores the sari's role as a modern garment, its functionality, cultural identity, and potential for empowerment, while also addressing the challenges faced by artisans and the need for institutional support to preserve India's rich textile heritage.
Show Notes -
Saris of Memory by Malvika Singh
The Sari by Mukulika Banerjee and Daniel Miller
https://www.amazon.in/Sari-Mukulika-Banerjee/dp/1859737323
Pupul Jayakar
https://mapacademy.io/article/pupul-jayakar/
Martand Singh
https://mapacademy.io/article/martand-singh/
Rajiv Sethi
https://khojstudios.org/supporter/rajiv-sethi-scenographers/
Ahalya Matthan
https://www.theregistryofsarees.com/
Rehwa Society
Sally Holkar
https://mapacademy.io/article/sally-holkar/
Laila Tyabji
https://mapacademy.io/article/laila-tyabji/
Dastakar
https://www.dastkar.org/about-us/
Uzramma
https://www.india-seminar.com/2003/523/523%20uzramma.htm
Khadi and Village Industries Corporation
https://www.kvic.gov.in/kvicres/index.php
Crafts Council of India
https://www.craftscouncilofindia.in/
Shama Pawar
https://baromarket.in/collections/shama-pawar
Jaya Jaitly
https://mapacademy.io/article/jaya-jaitly/
Dolly Jain (Instagram)
https://www.instagram.com/dolly.jain/?hl=en
Episode Name : Making Sense of India with Amit Varma and Milan Vaishnav
Episode Summary:
In this episode of the India Briefing, we speak with Milan Vaishnav, host of The Grand Tamasha and Amit Varma, host of The Seen and the Unseen on the lessons, the critical ideas and observations that they have encountered through conversations across the years and how they have helped shape their understanding of India.
Episode Notes:
Episode Notes (References)
The Seen and the Unseen with Amit Varma
Everything and Everything with Amit Varma and Ajay Shah
The Grand Tamasha Podcast with Milan Vaishnav
Re-examining America’s bet on India - Milan Vaishnav and Ashley Tellis
Ashley J. Tellis on India’s China conundrum
The Incredible Curiosities of Mukulika Banerjee
Sowmya Dhanaraj Is Making a Difference
Amitava Kumar Finds His Gulmohar Tree
The Life and Times of Mrinal Pande
The Life and Times of Ira Pande
Swapna Liddle and the Many Shades of Delhi
Rakhshanda Jalil Watches the Changing World
The Life and Times of Shanta Gokhale
The Life and Times of Jerry Pinto
The Gentle Wisdom of Pratap Bhanu Mehta
What Have We Done With Our Independence? - Pratap Bhanu Mehta joins Amit Varma
Ram Guha Writes a Letter to a Friend
Kashmir and Article 370 - Srinath Raghavan joins Amit Varma
The Citizenship Battles - Srinath Raghavan joins Amit Varma
The Loneliness of the Indian Woman - Shrayana Bhattacharya joins Amit Varma
The Loneliness of the Indian Man - Nikhil Taneja joins Amit Varma
The Forces that Shaped Hinduism - Manu Pillai joins Amit Varma
Ranjit Hoskote is Dancing in Chains
Taking On India’s Patriarchal Political Order
Cultivating Democracy: Politics and Citizenship in Agrarian India by Mukulika Banerjee
Is India a Flailing State?: Detours on the Four Lane Highway to Modernization by Lant Pritchet
The Indian Supreme Court in the Modi Era
Decoding the 2024 Indian General Elections
The Gita Press and Hindu Nationalism - Akshaya Mukul joins Amit Varma
Hindutva and Violence: V.D. Savarkar and the Politics of History by Vinayak Chaturvedi
The Ferment of our Founders - Shruti Kapila joins Amit Varma
The Life and Times of Indian Economy - Rajeswari Sengupta joins Amit Varma
Chandrahas Choudhury’s Country of Literature
Migrants and Machine Politics: How India's Urban Poor Seek Representation and Responsiveness by Adam Michael Auerbach, Tariq Thachil
H-Pop : The Secretive World of Hindutva Pop Stars by Kunal Purohit
When Crime Pays: Money and Muscle in Indian Politics by Milan Vaishnav
Savarkar and the Making of Hindutva by Janaki Bakhle
Private Truths, Public Lies – The Social Consequences of Preference Falsification by TImur Kuran
Accelerating India's Development: A State-Led Roadmap for Effective Governance by Kartik Murlidharan
In Service of the Republic: The Art and: The Art and Science of Economic Policy by Ajay Shah, Vijay Kelkar
In this episode of The India Briefing, hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari look back and discuss the headlines of 2024 in politics, art, culture, cinema, the changing nature of public good in politics, reflections on the future of democracy in India and lots more.
The India Briefing is brought to you by Radio Oijo. Write to us with your comments and suggestions on TIB@oijo.in.
In this episode of The India Briefing, hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari discuss the growing trend of Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT) targeted at women voters, especially in the context of electoral politics. Women in India have historically been viewed as a bloc tied to their family, caste, or community, but in recent years, political parties have increasingly targeted them as an independent voting group.
Further Reading -
http://www.jstor.org/stable/23391448
http://www.jstor.org/stable/23017228
http://www.jstor.org/stable/43202584
http://www.jstor.org/stable/41419797
http://www.jstor.org/stable/23017224.
https://www.ceew.in/publications/lessons-worlds-largest-subsidy-benefit-transfer-scheme
https://www.epw.in/journal/2024/48/general-elections-2024/technology-votes.html
https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/patriarchal-political-order/9262E786791FBF6090313B50520F6A31
https://www.rediff.com/news/interview/direct-transfer-of-money-is-bribing-voters/20241126.htm
The India Briefing is brought to you by Radio Oijo. Write to us with your comments and suggestions on TIB@oijo.in.
In this episode, our hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari delve into the indictment of Gautam Adani and others, exploring the serious charges of securities fraud and bribery under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act.
The conversation looks at the impact on the company's market value, investor sentiment, and the Indian government's response. The discussion highlights the volatility of Adani's stock, the political implications of the allegations, and the broader context of India's infrastructure development and regulatory environment.
In this episode, our hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari delve into the indictment of Gautam Adani and others, exploring the serious charges of securities fraud and bribery under the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and also speak to Jerry Roth and Avi Singh for their perspective.
The discussion highlights the implications of US laws extending beyond its borders, the complexities of transnational litigation, and the geopolitical dimensions surrounding the case. The Adani Group's response to the allegations and the potential future of the indictment are also examined, emphasizing the intricate legal landscape that multinational corporations navigate.
The India Briefing is brought to you by Radio Oijo. Write to us with your comments and suggestions on TIB@oijo.in.
In this episode, our hosts Mukulika Banerjee and Pragya Tiwari discuss the severe air pollution crisis in Delhi, particularly during the winter months. They explore the various causes of pollution, including stubble burning, vehicular emissions, and industrial pollution, as well as the health impacts on the population.
We also cover government responses, the political dynamics surrounding pollution policy, and the broader implications of climate change, emphasizing the need for long-term solutions and the importance of keeping the conversation alive beyond the immediate crisis.
The India Briefing is brought to you by Radio Oijo. Write to us with your comments and suggestions on TIB@oijo.in.
In today’s episode, we look at the complex web of India-Canada relations in light of the allegations surrounding India's involvement in the assassination of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. We also speak with Foreign Affairs expert Suhasini Haider who has been monitoring the situation closely.
The India Briefing is brought to you by Radio Oijo. Write to us with your comments and suggestions on TIB@oijo.in.
In the first major state elections after India's parliamentary elections earlier this year, the strife torn Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and the state of Haryana went to polls in October 2024. Political anthropologist, Mukulika Banerjee and writer, Pragya Tiwari, discuss the significance of the polls, give you a lowdown of the electoral battle and outcomes, and analyse what the results mean for the states, the country and its major political parties.
The India Briefing is brought to you by Radio Oijo. Write to us with your comments and suggestions on TIB@oijo.in.
India is the world’s most populous country, with a median age of 28 and an emerging economic powerhouse. Whatever happens here is bound to have an impact on the future of business, climate change, jobs, geopolitics and much more around the world. And yet there is no singular reliable source where you can go to make sense of the country.
The India Briefing aims to fill this gap. Through crisp conversations and, sometimes debates, we will give a round up of everything you need to know to understand the politics, economy and culture in India - whether you are studying the country, investing in it, working there, or are just ‘India curious’.
Hosted by Mukulika Banerjee, political anthropologist at the LSE and writer of multiple books on Indian democracy and elections, and Pragya Tiwari, senior journalist and editor, with two decades of experience in Indian politics and policy, the podcast will marry academic rigor with journalistic precision.
The India Briefing is brought to you by Radio Oijo. Write to us with your comments and suggestions on TIB@oijo.in.
