ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash
Subscribed: 17,710Played: 122,192
Subscribe
© Asian News International (ANI)
Description
ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash gets eminent people from different walks of life to talk about issues that impact you and society at large. Join Smita Prakash as she brings important voices from the field of politics, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle. Dive in for a great listening experience brought to you by India’s largest news agency.
400 Episodes
Reverse
Swaminathan Gurumurthy is the editor of the Tamil political weekly Thuglak. An auditor by training and an ideologue by conviction, he has spent decades at the intersection of economics, politics and civilisational debate. From his investigations into corporate power in the 1980s involving Reliance Industries to his critique of globalisation and role in shaping the intellectual ecosystem of the RSS, he has remained an influential and outspoken voice in India’s public life.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the DMK-Congress alliance, actor Vijay, Sanatana Dharma, Tamil Nadu politics and RSS.Gurumurthy outlines the structural and ideological challenges the BJP faces in Tamil Nadu, shaped by decades of Dravidian politics and alliance-driven electoral dynamics.He also speaks candidly about Ramnath Goenka, Dhirubhai Ambani, Indira Gandhi-era politics and his clashes with corporate power in India.Timestamps00:00 - Introduction02:14 - Dravidian Politics14:43 - DMK-Congress Alliance21:25 - Can Vijay Challenge DMK?25:42 - Tamil Nadu’s Cultural Ethos33:56 - Electoral Shifts in Tamil Nadu40:43 - BJP’s Challenge in Tamil Nadu48:05 - Tamil Cultural Media51:46 - Anti-Hindu Politics in Tamil Nadu55:58 - Story Behind ‘Guru’ Movie58:51 - Ties with Ramnath Goenka1:08:20 - Dhirubhai Ambani Investigations1:10:35 - Advisory Role in Corporate Family Disputes1:17:12 - Political Engagement Across Parties1:24:28 - Congress’s Leadership Crisis1:32:58 - West Asia Conflict1:39:33 - BJP’s Outreach to Minorities1:49:03 - Views on the Gandhi Family1:54:21 - BJP-RSS Coordination
Daniel Benaim served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Arabian Peninsula Affairs at the U.S. State Department. He previously advised President Joe Biden on West Asia policy and has worked at the White House and the U.S. Senate. He also wrote speeches for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and other senior U.S. officials. He closely follows developments in West Asia and U.S. foreign policy.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Daniel says that the U.S. miscalculated the Iran war and wasn’t fully prepared. He explains how Iran may be “winning without winning”, and why Gulf countries feel let down by the conflict. He also talks about Iran’s use of the Strait of Hormuz as a key lever, and why India’s approach to the crisis appears measured and pragmatic.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction00:52 – Who’s Winning Iran War?05:36 – Future of Iranian Regime08:32 – Will U.S. Deploy Troops to Iran?11:28 – Strait of Hormuz Blockade14:51 – Future of Alliances in West Asia19:57 – Will Gulf Nations Attack Iran?23:00 – Russia & China on Iran War24:10 – Trump Delays Beijing Visit25:21 – Did Trump Miscalculate Iran?30:46 – Biden or Clinton: Response to Iran War32:35 – Will Iran Surrender?34:28 – Trump Opening New War Fronts?37:30 – If Iran Survives, Who Wins?40:38 – Saudi-Pakistan Ties44:17 – Do Americans Support Iran War?49:46 – Iran’s Missile Capacity52:41 – Did Biden Give $6 Billion to Iran?55:48 – Iran’s Nuclear Program58:21 – India’s Stand on Iran War1:00:39 – Will India Pick a Side in Iran War?1:04:27 – What Does Saudi Want from Pakistan?1:06:56 – Who Can Mediate Iran War?1:08:39 – Will Iranian Regime Survive?1:10:47 – Who is Face of the Democrats?1:12:29 – Evolving India-U.S. Ties
What lessons can India learn from the Iran war? How have drones proved to be a game-changer in modern warfare? How is Iran using ‘Shahed’ drones to carry out attacks on Israel and Gulf nations? How can Artificial Intelligence be integrated into defence systems? What impact could this conflict have on the global defence industry? How are Gulf nations looking at their security today?In this edition of ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Lt Gen Raj Shukla (Retd.), former General Officer Commanding of the Army Training Command and a noted military strategist, answers these questions and explains the changing nature of modern warfare.00:00 – Coming Up00:30 – Global Impact of Iran War04:18 – U.S. Operation Against Maduro07:14 – U.S. Objectives in Iran10:53 – U.S. Military Strength15:20 – Iran’s Counterattack21:16 – Implications of Iran War22:27 – Iran’s Shahed Drones32:07 – U.S.–Israel Tech Alliance41:34 – India’s Role in Global Tensions46:45 – China’s High-Tech Warfare50:14 – India’s Defence System58:49 – Attack on IRIS Dena1:00:31 – India’s Strategic Partners1:10:12 – Iran’s Strikes on the Gulf1:13:28 – Private Sector in National Security
Kanwal Sibal is a former Foreign Secretary to the Government of India. He has served as India’s Ambassador to Turkey, Egypt, France and Russia, and as Deputy Chief of Mission in Washington DC with the personal rank of Ambassador. He was also a member of India’s National Security Advisory Board from 2008 to 2010. With over 41 years of diplomatic experience, he explains geopolitics and foreign affairs from an Indian perspective.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Ambassador Kanwal Sibal explains how the Israel–U.S. war against Iran could deeply hurt India’s interests in the Gulf. He also discusses why Iran could sink any ship in the Strait of Hormuz and why he believes there is “a huge vacuum in global leadership.”He also discusses what India should do in the conflict, the sinking of the IRIS Dena, the objectives of the U.S. and Israel in the war, and what the future of security in the Gulf could look like.00:00 – Introduction00:35 – India’s Stand on the Iran War07:29 – Sinking of IRIS Dena18:12 – PM Modi’s Visit to Israel23:55 – Iran’s Nuclear Program28:15 – War with a “Civilizational State”30:12 – India–U.S. Relations39:42 – Christopher Landau’s Remarks43:45 – Why India Needs the Gulf49:41 – Americans as Partners56:37 – Russia–Ukraine War1:00:21 – France’s Nuclear Umbrella1:02:12 – Which Countries Might Go Nuclear Next?1:07:30 – Importance of the Strait of Hormuz1:11:45 – Targeting Fuel Depots in Iran1:15:05 – Gulf Under Attack1:18:10 – Possible Outcomes of the Iran War1:21:42 – How the Iran War Could Affect India1:25:54 – Global Leadership Crisis
Gautam Gambhir is the Head Coach of the Indian cricket team. Under his leadership, the team has won two major ICC tournaments — the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy and the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He is the first Indian head coach to win two ICC trophies. Gambhir is also the most successful Indian cricketers in terms of trophies, both as a player and as a coach.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he speaks about the T20 World Cup win, social media toxicity, honesty with players, ending the superstar culture in the team and what’s next for him.00:00 - Introduction00:50 - T20 World Cup Victory01:52 - How to Handle Critics04:18 - Handling Social Media Toxicity06:35 - Being a Coach08:23 - Playing in Front of Legends09:30 - Dhoni’s Post for Gambhir & Team10:50 - Fans’ Expectations12:56 - India Tailoring Pitches Allegation14:07 - India’s Power in World Cricket15:19 - Money Power in Cricket16:33 - Hanuman Mandir Visit Controversy18:59 - Backing Sanju Samson19:52 - Beyond Individual Performance21:10 - Superstars in the Team22:30 - Who Offered Head Coach Role?27:03 - Freedom in the Dressing Room29:18 - Expectations from Players32:06 - Who Does Gambhir Listen To?33:34 - Gambhir on Ashwin's Remarks35:25 - Achievements as Head Coach40:02 - Fitness in the Game43:43 - Mental Makeup During Test Matches46:37 - The Role of Family48:44 - Mood in the Dressing Room After Victory49:56 - First Meal After Victory50:20 - Diet Discipline in Cricket51:32 - Planning for the 2027 World Cup51:56 - Does IPL Drain Players?52:47 - What’s Next for Gambhir?53:12 - Will Gambhir Rejoin Politics?
Jon Finer is an international affairs expert and former Principal Deputy National Security Adviser to Jake Sullivan during the presidency of Joe Biden. Before that, he served in the White House under Barack Obama as a White House Fellow, working in the office of the Chief of Staff and the National Security Council. Finer was a foreign and national correspondent for The Washington Post. He reported from more than 20 countries around the world. He also co-hosts “The Long Game,” a weekly national security podcast with Jake Sullivan. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Jon Finer discusses the U.S.–Israel military action against Iran and its strategic implications. He says Donald Trump is creating ambiguity about the real objective of the conflict. According to him, “A U.S. win is unclear and politically difficult to define.” He adds that China is supporting Iran rhetorically, but not militarily. He also warns that this conflict could accelerate global nuclear proliferation. Finer also speaks about India–U.S. ties and America’s growing closeness with Pakistan.00:00 – Introduction01:18 – Regime Change in Iran04:30 – U.S. Objectives in Iran War07:36 – Gulf Nations Under Attack14:18 – China Helping Iran in War?16:39 – U.S.–Iran Nuclear Talks18:35 – Trump’s War Powers23:04 – U.S. Nuclear Umbrella27:23 – U.S.–Pakistan Relations33:52 – U.S.–India Ties37:13 – Serving Under Obama & Biden41:27 – China’s Limited Global Alliances47:54 – How U.S. Media Portrays India52:51 – Jeffrey Sachs’ Claims on Jake Sullivan
Dr. Swasti Rao is a geopolitics and defence expert, commentator, and author. She is currently an Associate Professor at the Jindal School of International Studies and a Consulting Editor for Strategic and International Affairs at ThePrint. She explains key geopolitical and security issues from an Indian perspective.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, she discusses what could happen to Iran after Ayatollah Khamenei’s death and how the security structure of Gulf nations might change. She describes Donald Trump as the only U.S. President to have gone this far in supporting Israel, and explains what another war could mean for the Middle East. She also talks about the impact on global oil supplies and what is at stake for India.00:00 – Introduction02:05 – The Middle East War03:51 – Gulf Nations Under Attack09:09 – Israel’s Objectives in Iran12:24 – US–Israel Targeting Strategy16:12 – Did U.S. Abandon GCC Bases?24:01 – IRGC’s Command Structure29:48 – Iran’s War Mindset35:27 – Impact of Khamenei’s Death37:22 – GCC in Shock After Attacks?41:57 – What Do Saudi Arabia & Israel Want?44:41 – Iran–Turkey Ties: What’s Next?46:29 – Pakistan’s Role55:33 – The Modi–Netanyahu Meeting59:00 – Evacuation Plans & Economic Impact on India1:07:53 – The Roles of China and Russia1:18:57 – How Long Could This War Last?
Ashish Chauhan is the MD & CEO of the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE). A technocrat from IIT Bombay and IIM Calcutta, he was part of the founding team that built the NSE. He is credited with bringing several key innovations to India’s stock market. He also served as the MD and CEO of the Bombay Stock Exchange for 10 years.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he speaks about the much-awaited NSE IPO, how the exchange handles cyberattacks, and how the NSE powers India’s stock market. He advises investors to stay away from social media “tips,” shares his views on India’s options market, and discusses the future of de-dollarisation and India’s growing number of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).00:00 – Introduction00:42 – What Does NSE Do?06:35 – How NSE Earns Revenue09:16 – How NSE Powers India’s Stock Market15:18 – Regulations in Capital Markets20:02 – NSE IPO Coming Soon?27:56 – NSE Co-Location Scam33:12 – 1992 Harshad Mehta Scam39:23 – India’s Options Market44:55 – NSE’s Investor Awareness Initiatives47:29 – Why India Bans Prediction Markets50:45 – How NSE Survives Cyberattacks57:29 – Challenges as NSE MD1:02:09 – Future of De-Dollarisation1:06:55 – India’s FTAs1:16:04 – Modinomics vs Manmohanomics1:23:42 – NSE’s Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047
Abhinav Pandya is an author and scholar who has studied the concept of jihad in great depth. He has also advised the former Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Satya Pal Malik, on security matters.In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the conversation focuses on the challenges India faces as a target of global jihad. With what appears to be an emerging axis involving Turkey, Pakistan, China and even Bangladesh, is India facing a larger strategic encirclement?Is Kashmir the central objective, or is the target much bigger, the whole of India? And most importantly, what must India do to counter this jihadist strategy?Timestamps00:00 – Introduction01:15 – Balochistan Uprising05:15 – Pakistan’s Double Standards09:03 – How the ISI Controls Pakistan13:39 – The Core Issue of Kashmir15:46 – Pak’s Interference in Kashmir’s Politics21:53 – Pakistan-Sponsored Terrorism25:08 – Entire India Pakistan’s Target?32:23 – Pakistan’s Foreign Relations35:11 – Pakistan–Bangladesh Ties40:12 – Global Superpower vs Civilizational Power43:06 – South Asia & the Ottoman Empire47:32 – Hybrid Militancy in Kashmir53:05 – Al-Falah University’s Terror Links1:00:47 – Militancy in Kashmir1:06:07 – How Should India Tackle Terrorism?1:15:25 – Satya Pal Malik’s “Fax Machine” Story1:23:34 – Kashmir After Article 3701:27:36 – How to Deal with Terrorism1:29:26 – West Asia Conflict Explained1:32:52 – Operation Sindoor1:34:52 – Khalistan
From OTP scams and phone data leaks to AI misuse and digital warfare, how safe are we really? Cybersecurity affects you, your family, your workplace, and even the country you live in. Amit Dubey is a national security expert and cybersecurity specialist. He has worked closely with Indian government agencies and police departments on cybercrime investigations. In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he explains how AI is being misused for fraud and scams, and breaks down China’s digital warfare strategy and India’s cybersecurity reality in simple terms.00:00 – Introduction01:01 – U.S. Cyberattack on Venezuela05:38 – How to Stop Deepfakes12:58 – Legal Action on AI14:26 – A Great Firewall for India?17:43 – Deepfakes Influencing Elections22:10 – AI and Voter Fraud26:55 – Risks of Posting Personal Details32:24 – How Personal Information Is Exploited37:02 – Credit Card Scams40:58 – OTP Scams & Password Theft48:00 – Sancharsathi App Controversy58:14 – Protecting Private Photos Online1:01:20 – Can EVMs Be Hacked?1:07:49 – Hybrid War Threats1:10:44 – Gen Z Protests & Disinformation1:14:04 – Spreading Disinformation Online1:20:19 – Cyber Attacks During Op Sindoor1:22:47 – Foreign SIMs & Cyber Threats1:26:32 – Agniveer Protest & Fake SMS1:30:02 – AI Videos Targeting India1:35:08 – Influencers Spreading Fake Content
John Brittas wears many hats: parliamentarian, journalist, Managing Director and Chief Editor of Malayalam Communications Limited, which runs Kairali TV and Kairali News. He is currently the CPI(M) Parliamentary Party Leader in the Rajya Sabha.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he speaks about the decline of communism in India and across the world, and why the Left struggles to connect with a wider audience today. He discusses the Kerala model, migration from the state, and Kerala’s social harmony.He argues that Hindutva politics will not click in Kerala and says the BJP is unlikely to become a major force there in the near future. He also speaks about the Congress and claims it continues to follow a “right-wing economic ideology.”The conversation also covers the India–US trade deal, the 2008 nuclear deal, the UPA era, Pinarayi Vijayan’s leadership, and the strength of Malayalam cinema.00:00 – Introduction01:11 – Why Communism is Failing in India10:38 – Kerala’s Vibrant Culture12:28 – How CPI(M) Is So Powerful in Kerala23:55 – India–US Nuclear Deal26:15 – India–US Trade Deal33:08 – The Kerala Ecosystem36:16 – Why Kerala Supports the Left40:57 – Can Kerala Inspire a Left Revival?43:23 – BJP’s Prospects in Kerala52:55 – Religious Harmony in Kerala58:20 – BJP’s Mayoral Win1:05:14 – Life as a Journalist1:10:56 – Malayalam Cinema1:14:49 – Political Leadership in India1:15:56 – Pinarayi Vijayan’s Leadership Style
Karti Chidambaram is an Indian National Congress MP representing the Sivaganga constituency in Tamil Nadu.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he discusses the Parliament Budget Session, DMK-Congress alliance, Actor Vijay, freebies politics, money laundering investigations against him, and BJP’s presence in Tamil Nadu.He also addresses the Dhurandhar controversy and his alleged cameo in it, highlighting the absence of official records related to it.*Timestamps*00:00 – Introduction01:47 – Parliament Deadlock12:33 – Congress-DMK Alliance20:04 – Congress in Tamil Nadu25:30 – BJP-AIADMK Alliance31:09 – Anti-Incumbency Against DMK37:36 – Legal Cases & Investigations43:40 – Sonia’s Role in UPA47:27 – Sanatana Debate51:23 – Freebie Politics59:09 – Dhurandhar Controversy1:05:16 – KYC, Re-KYC & Citizen Rights1:11:13 – Family-Centric Politics1:15:31 – Relations with Rahul Gandhi1:16:26 – Snap Reactions1:23:47 – Bonding with Father1:32:09 – South Indian Food
Nayab Singh Saini, the Chief Minister of Haryana, led the BJP to win a third term in the state, despite predictions of anti-incumbency against the party.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, CM Saini talks about the key issues shaping Haryana’s future, including farmers, job creation, and women’s safety. He also shares his vision for the development of Gurugram, focusing on better urban planning, improved drainage systems, and long-term growth for the city.00:00 – Introduction00:52 – No Anti-Incumbency in Haryana08:51 – Promises Made During the Polls13:27 – Farmers’ Protest18:08 – Crop Diversification in Haryana23:27 – Youth Skill Development & Women’s Safety26:06 – Gurugram’s Development28:28 – Punjab’s Drug Crisis35:49 – Jobs and Employment40:05 – Lado Lakshmi Yojana41:52 – Welfare Schemes44:38 – Yamuna Poison Controversy
Can gaming addiction push kids toward serious mental health crises? Does social media influence increase vulnerability to anxiety and depression in teens?To answer these questions, we are joined by Dr. Bhavna Barmi and Anshu Bedi. Dr. Bhavna Barmi is a Senior Clinical and Child Psychologist and the founder of Happiness Studio. Anshu Bedi is a teacher at Raghubir Singh Junior Modern School with over 32 years of experience mentoring preteens.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Bhavna Barmi explains that signs of stress or distress in children should never be ignored.Anshu Bedi talks about how many parents today expect perfection from their children and stresses that this can leave them unprepared for real-world challenges.00:00 – Introduction01:04 – Mental Health Challenges Among Kids07:32 – Holistic Development of Children11:32 – Attention Span Issues in Students15:07 – Modern Parent-Teacher Connections18:10 – Bullying and Peer Pressure21:27 – Emotional Signals in Children25:13 – Academic Stress in Children29:50 – Reduced Family Interaction on Children34:36 – Consequences of Body Shaming40:38 – Happiness Clinics & Mental Health Support42:54 – Social Media Impact on Young Minds49:52 – Current Parenting Challenges1:05:56 – Emotional Stress in Counsellors
Rekha Gupta is the Chief Minister of Delhi, following the BJP's return to power in the capital after 27 years. Her political journey began with the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP).She is an elected MLA from the Shalimar Bagh constituency and has previously served as General Secretary of the BJP Mahila Morcha in Delhi. She was also a member of the party’s national executive committee.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, CM Rekha Gupta speaks about Delhi’s pollution and her government’s plans to tackle it. She also discusses key priorities, including better public transport, stronger last-mile connectivity, and her vision for a cleaner, better-governed Delhi.*Timestamps*00:00 – Coming Up00:00 – Introduction01:13 – One Year as Delhi CM03:42 – Delhi’s Pollution Crisis08:36 – Dust Mitigation Measures10:26 – Garbage Mountains13:44 – Waste Treatment Plants15:01 – Solutions to Delhi’s Air Pollution17:51 – Lunch for Slum Dwellers20:45 – ‘Sheesh Mahal’ Controversy21:51 – School Admissions & Fee Regulation27:46 – School Safety & Monitoring31:14 – Expectations of Delhi Residents33:31 – Healthcare System37:10 – Parks for Children38:49 – Public Washrooms & Civic Sense43:29 – Hospital Bed Allocation45:55 – Two Female CMs Among 28 States47:01 – Being a Woman Leader53:38 – Priorities as Chief Minister
Neena Gupta is a versatile actress and author, known for playing a wide range of characters. She won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for 'Woh Chokri' and 'Uunchai'.Sanjay Mishra is loved for his humour and strong comic timing. He is well known for films like Golmaal, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2, Total Dhamaal, and Dilwale. He has also received praise for his serious roles in films like 'Aankhon Dekhi' and 'Vadh'.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Sanjay Mishra talks about being repeatedly cast in comic roles and how this typecasting has affected his career. He also shares his thoughts on changing audience tastes and why many films today feel overly loud and exaggerated.Neena Gupta speaks about her journey from Delhi to Mumbai, describing those early days as scary and lonely. She talks honestly about her struggles in the film industry and the advice she gave her daughter, Masaba Gupta. Both actors also discuss their upcoming film Vadh 2, which releases in theatres on February 6.Timestamps00:00 – Introduction00:37 – Neena Gupta’s on-screen appearance02:35 – Eating habits during film shoots06:09 – Story behind ‘Vadh’ title12:29 – Sanjay Mishra’s ‘cool’ avatar14:57 – Neena Gupta’s viral family post17:53 – Neena Gupta’s education at NSD21:10 – Evolution of Hindi cinema25:30 – Neena Gupta’s career turning point29:27 – Art cinema vs mainstream cinema32:03 – Late success in acting career40:45 – Elderly care in India & abroad43:31 – Neena Gupta’s early struggles in Mumbai47:38 – Typecasting in Films51:12 – Neena Gupta on Acting in ‘Gandhi’55:58 – Initial TV Work of Neena Gupta59:58 – Impactful Roles of Sanjay Mishra1:05:28 – Characters in ‘Vadh 2’
UGC Regulations 2026 are witnessing protests in North India with General Category students raising concerns that these rules could increase discrimination. They also worry about weak safeguards against false complaints and unclear mechanisms for addressing their grievances.What is the purpose and scope of the UGC Equity Regulations? Are the protests against the new regulations organic? How do the new regulations differ from the 2012 regulations?In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Dr. Vikas Divyakirti, founder and MD of Drishti IAS, answers it all.00:00 – Introduction02:58 – UGC 2026 Regulations10:48 – Implicit Discrimination Concerns13:47 – Equity Committee Structure21:10 – Bias in Faculty Hiring28:28 – Social Reform in Education37:47 – General Category & Marginalised Sections42:09 – Inequality in Indian Society47:51 – Merit-Based Selection55:04 – Caste & Social Bias in Education59:60 – Explicit & Implicit Discrimination1:03:55 – Caste Discrimination Complaints1:09:33 – Discrimination Definition1:15:28 – Caste Representation in Academia1:23:12 – Political Debate on New UGC Guidelines1:26:18 – Gen Z in India1:41:03 – Caste Representation1:53:38 – BJP & Upper-Caste Vote Bank1:58:26 – Reservation Debate2:02:20 – “Batenge to Katenge” Slogan2:09:42 – Caste-Sensitive Politics
Rajeev Shukla is often described as one of India’s most well-connected public figures. Jokingly, many call him ‘Omnipresent’ Rajeev Shukla. Over the years, he has built friendships across political party lines and developed close ties with Bollywood stars, leading businessmen, and cricketers alike.In a career spanning nearly four decades, Rajeev Shukla has worn many hats. He began his professional journey as a journalist in Kanpur. Today, he represents the Congress party in the Rajya Sabha. He has also served as a Minister of State in a Congress-led government, is currently the Vice President of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), and has earlier been the Chairman of the Indian Premier League (IPL).In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rajeev Shukla reflects on why he is often called “everyone’s friend” and how he has managed to maintain relationships across political divides. He speaks about his early days in journalism, his association with the Gandhi family, and his decision to join the Congress party. He also shares his deep love for cricket and fondly recalls his time as the manager of the Indian cricket team.
Indrani Bagchi is the CEO of Ananta Centre, a platform for dialogue, leadership, and public policy. She has many years of experience covering the Ministry of External Affairs and is known for explaining global events from an Indian point of view. Earlier, she served as the Diplomatic Editor at The Times of India.In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Indrani Bagchi talks about how Donald Trump’s policies have changed America. She says the U.S. tariffs on India feel personal and explains how India should respond. She also points out that Europe has been hit the hardest by Trump’s foreign policy. According to her, the forces Trump has unleashed in America will not disappear anytime soon.Timestamps0:00 – Introduction1:21 – The West vs China6:21 – How Pakistan Balances USA and China11:33 – China’s Influence in Asia16:49 – Trump’s MAGA Worldview23:01 – China’s Economic Leverage36:57 – Why India Needs ‘MIGA’ Movement42:02 – India as Counterbalance to China55:08 – Indian diaspora vs Chinese diaspora influence1:04:24 – India’s Flexible Foreign Policy1:16:22 – India’s Long-Term Vision for US
Gaddam Dharmendra is a former Indian Foreign Service officer who joined the service in 1990. He served in senior diplomatic roles for over three decades and was India’s Ambassador to Iran from 2019 to 2023. He is known for his deep understanding of West Asia, sanctions, and regional politics. Dr Waiel Awwad is a Syrian-born journalist based in South Asia who covers Middle East affairs. He has reported from several war zones. During the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, he was caught in an ambush while reporting from the ground and narrowly escaped execution. Also joining the podcast is ANI Director Ishaan Prakash. In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss the Iran crisis and the future of the Khamenei regime. They talk about possible US intervention, whether Iran’s Khamenei regime could fall, and who might take over if that happens. The conversation also examines what the people of Iran truly want and how today’s protests differ from the 1979 Iranian Revolution.00:00 — Introduction 01:13 — Inside Iran’s Protests 12:42 — Gulf States Against US Strike Over Iran 16:35 — Trump’s Appeal to Iranian Protesters 22:09 — Iran Regime Change Soon? 25:08 — Iranian Institutions 27:50 — Iran’s Nuclear Program 37:28 — US-Iran Negotiation Talks 48:25 — The Iran–Israel Conflict 51:10 — US Sanctions on Iran 57:20 — US Media Coverage of Iran 1:06:28 — Pro-Government Rallies in Iran 1:13:45 — Iran’s Economic Crisis
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States
Find Premium Escort Service in Gurgaon | Call: 7056605468 | escortsnightlife.com
Suddenly Hindi in podcast that started in English. Please mention at the beginning whether podcast is in English or Hindi
ऐसे आरक्षण के लालची, सलामत हाथ पैर वाले अपंग लोगो को बुला के अपने show की गरिमा मत खराब कीजिए ।
fascinating interview
samita ji, why you call this scum bag lair to your show. this corrupt guy is keep lying on every question you asking.
What a fantastic man Kailash Sir is! Thanks for this talk!🙏
Fantastic episode.👌 Hats off to Rubika Madam! 🙏🇮🇳 Respect from all of us males. 🙏 Thanks for this interview.👍
very insightful