Lobsang Sangay served as the Tibetan Prime Minister in exile from 2011 to 2021. He was the first person without a monastic background to hold this post. Born in 1968 in a refugee community in Darjeeling, India, he studied law at Delhi University. Later, he went to Harvard University to study international law and democracy, and is now an American citizen.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about how China interferes in the local affairs of South Asian countries, including Nepal. He warns New Delhi to be cautious about its thaw with China, reminding that Beijing follows an expansionist policy. He also shares his thoughts on the future of the Tibetan movement and what India and other nations can do to support it.

Sangay speaks about the question of the Dalai Lama’s successor and what it would mean for Tibet and China. He also explains why China is building the world’s largest dam on the Brahmaputra and what risks it poses. Finally, he reflects on life in India and abroad, and what Tibetans living in exile continue to hope for.

Link to Episode 131: https://youtu.be/8WXWYRNhBOw

*Audio Timestamps:*

00:00 - Introduction

01:14 - PM Modi's China Visit

03:15 - Tibet's Stance on India-China Relation

07:51 - India's China Trade Balancing Act

10:25 - China's Pressure on India's Activism

13:18 - Tibetans Hurt by India's China Thaw?

17:53 - Is China Threatening Taiwan, Tibet?

20:18 - Why Does Xi Keep Visiting Tibet?

25:05 - Truth Behind Tibet's Chinese Rule

27:55 - What Do Exiled Tibetans Want?

29:48 - 'Voice For The Voiceless' Book

32:24 - Tibetan Buddhism Under Chinese Rules?

39:11 - Young Tibetans and Their Identity?

42:51 - Where Will Next Dalai Lama’s Successor Be Born?

44:17 - Dalai Lama’s Reincarnation Process Explained?

51:52 - Where Is the Real Panchen Lama?

55:21 - China's Fake Dalai Lama Motives

58:17 - Buddhist Nations and Dalai Lama's Future

01:06:25 - Buddhist Festivals vs. China's Push

01:11:42 - US Pushback on China's Narratives

01:20:30 - Why Bollywood's Silence on Tibet Issue?

01:23:15 - Does Lobsang Struggle with Identity?

Pavneet Singh is an author, teacher, and content creator who makes videos on geopolitics, foreign affairs, and international relations. Over the years, he has carved a niche for himself by simplifying geopolitics into layman’s terms, making it easy for everyone to understand. He also runs a popular YouTube channel called SpyGamesPavneet.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Pavneet discusses how governments are being toppled in South Asia, with Nepal serving as the latest example. Is there a foreign hand at play, or was it truly a people’s revolt? He also shares his views on the India–US trade dispute and why ties between the two countries have hit their lowest point in the last two decades.

Pavneet further discusses Prime Minister Modi’s visit to China after seven years, and whether India should be cautious in resetting its ties with Beijing. The conversation also touches upon Pakistan, Operation Sindoor, the Russia–Ukraine war, and even the role of the so-called ‘Deep State’ in India.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

01:00 – Nepal’s Gen Z Protests

05:22 – Social Media’s Role in Nepal Protests

11:33 – Regional Politics and Nepal’s Stability

17:24 – Foreign Influence in Nepal’s Crisis

20:33 – Regimes Toppled in South Asia

24:25 – India’s Approach to Regional Stability

31:18 – China’s Vision and Regional Ambitions

36:16 – India’s Strategic Autonomy & the SCO Summit

42:26 – India–China Thaw & Nuclear Proliferation

47:00 – America’s Deep Game in Pakistan

49:37 – Regime Degradation in South Asia

54:52 – The India–China Border Issue

1:04:32 – Peter Navarro’s Anti-India Comments

1:10:09 – India’s Adaptive Foreign Policy

1:15:19 – Gen Z’s Geopolitical Awakening

Amod Kanth is a former IPS officer who served in the Delhi Police and is known for handling some of India’s most high-profile and sensitive cases. He was the investigating officer in the Jessica Lal murder case and played a key role in probing the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. Kanth also headed the Crime Branch and later founded Prayas, an NGO working for children and youth.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Amod Kanth speaks about the motive behind Rajiv Gandhi’s assassination and what really went on behind the scenes. He also talks about the assassination of Indira Gandhi, the rise of Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, and how the Jessica Lal case changed India, highlighting the crucial role of media activism.

He shares first-hand accounts of policing during turbulent times, the challenges of maintaining law and order, and the lessons these landmark cases hold for India’s governance and society.

00:00 – Introduction

02:59 – Jessica Lal Murder Case

11:09 – Big Names at the Party When Jessica Was Murdered

20:08 – Jessica Lal Murder Investigation

23:24 – Cover-Up in the Jessica Case

30:16 – Manu Sharma's Surrender

34:09 – Court Acquitted All Accused in the Jessica Case

35:52 – How Media Scrutiny Reopened the Jessica Case

44:15 – BMW Hit & Run Case

57:28 – Sting Operation on BMW Hit & Run Case

01:02:34 – Why the Witness Flipped in BMW Hit & Run Case

01:07:11 – Romesh Sharma Chopper Case

01:14:47 – Romesh Sharma's Connection with Mafias

01:20:01 – Bhindranwale & Operation Blue Star

01:30:00 – Indira Gandhi's Assassination

01:32:44 – How Did Delhi Police Handle the 1984 Riots?

01:42:28 – Rajiv Gandhi's Assassination

01:48:58 – Why Rajiv Gandhi Neglected Security

01:51:20 – Rajiv Gandhi Assassination Probe

01:56:58 – Delhi After Rajiv Gandhi's Death

01:59:08 – Amod Kanth's 'Prayas JAC Society'

02:03:44 – Joining Politics

Milind Deora is a former Union Minister of State and prominent Mumbai politician who joined the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena after spending over two decades in the Congress. Known for his candid views on governance, democracy, and Mumbai’s development, Deora has often been at the centre of key political debates.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he opens up on Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, why he left the Congress, and discusses Trump’s tariffs on India. He also speaks about democracy within political parties, while slamming the protests against the SIR issue.

Deora shares his views on Mumbai’s lost decade due to internal party politics, explains why certain sections cannot digest Prime Minister Modi’s success, and talks about the road ahead for the Shiv Sena.

Timestamps

00:00 – Coming Up

02:08 – Introduction

03:29 – Why He Left Congress

06:24 – Freedom of Speech in NDA

07:36 – Reasons for Leaving Congress

14:26 – Manmohanomics vs. Modinomics

15:30 – Young Leaders Betraying Congress?

18:00 – Hindi–Marathi Language Row

22:08 – Mumbai’s Lost Decade

28:54 – Mumbai’s Infrastructure

32:38 – Garbage & Pothole Issues

38:13 – Mumbai’s Development

46:17 – Can Mumbai Regain Its Global Status?

49:06 – Marine Drive vs. Bandra–Worli Sea Link

50:38 – Mumbai’s Food Culture

52:11 – Pani Puri vs. Bhel Puri

53:05 – Udupi Hotel vs. Irani Café

53:29 – Gateway of India vs. CSMT

53:57 – Mumbai’s Local Trains

54:29 – Puran Poli vs. Shrikhand

56:55 – Mumbai’s Dabbawalas

58:04 – Bollywood

01:00:12 – All-Party Delegation on Operation Sindoor

01:05:17 – ‘Vote Chori’ Controversy

01:06:45 – Central Agencies Being Misused?

01:12:57 – Remembering the 26/11 Attack

01:22:04 – Why Didn’t India Retaliate After 26/11?

01:24:48 – Munir’s Nuke Threat Against India

01:27:30 – Should India’s Youth Enter Politics?

01:30:22 – Meeting with PM Modi

01:31:36 – Equations with the Gandhis After Leaving Congress

How does the Opposition make its strategy to counter the ruling government in Parliament? Who is responsible for running the House? Why was the Monsoon Session of Parliament completely washed out? What led to Jagdeep Dhankhar’s sudden exit? Why has the Opposition made the ‘Vote Chori’ row its main weapon against the government? Was there really a BJP vs. BJP fight in the Constitution Club polls?

To answer these questions and give you the inside scoop, this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash is joined by ANI correspondents who closely cover Parliament and political parties, Suchitra Mukherjee, Siddharth Sharma, Nishant Ketu, Amit Kumar, along with Naveen Kapoor, National Bureau Chief.

00:00 – Introduction

00:50 – Opposition’s Strategy in Parliament

04:59 – Parliament Session Washout: Who Is to Blame?

06:40 – Where is Jagdeep Dhankhar?

09:12 – What is Zero Hour in Parliament?

12:37 – BJP vs BJP in Constitution Club Polls?

21:09 – Jaya Bachchan’s Selfie Chaos

24:39 – Shashi Tharoor vs Congress?

25:58 – Restrictions on Media at BJP & Congress HQs?

30:59 – ‘Vote Chori’ Allegations by Opposition

36:05 – Which MP Says No to Giving Bites?

40:21 – Covering Parliament as a Reporter

42:25 – Women MPs Bonding in Parliament

48:00 – Congress Removes the ‘Alcohol Abstention’ Clause

52:09 – Priyanka’s Role in Congress

54:27 – Man/Woman of the Match of the Parliament Session

57:44 – The Man Behind Dhankhar’s Resignation

1:01:03 – Story Behind Akhilesh Jumping Barricades

1:05:15 – BJP–RSS Bonhomie

1:08:41 – Can NDA Lose Its Majority?

1:11:27 – Impact of Operation Sindoor

1:13:08 – Manish Tewari & Shashi Tharoor Sidelined?

1:15:44 – Experience of Covering Operation Sindoor

Sardar Tarlochan Singh is a former Rajya Sabha member and ex-Chairman of the National Commission for Minorities. He has spent his life fighting for Sikh causes, human rights, and keeping the Punjabi language alive, promoting Sikhism around the world. He has seen it all, from Partition, Nehru and Indira Gandhi’s rule, the rise of Bhindranwale, Operation Blue Star, Rajiv Gandhi, to Modi’s government.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, he talks about Sikhism, what the Sikh community expects from the Central Government, and his experience as Press Secretary to President Giani Zail Singh during the difficult time after Indira Gandhi’s assassination and the anti-Sikh riots. From Partition to now, he shares how life for Sikhs in India has changed over the years.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:14 – Language Politics in India

07:10 – Untold History of India-Pakistan Partition

18:47 – Govt Engagement with Sikh Diaspora

29:14 – Sikh Diaspora's Political Influence

37:22 – Khalistan Issue & SGPC Politics

41:02 – Giani Zail Singh’s Political Life

48:43 – Giani Zail Singh vs. Rajiv Gandhi

1:12:31 – Op Blue Star & Rise of Bhindranwale

1:25:21 – Psychological & Political Impact of Op Blue Star

1:32:50 – PM Modi's Bold Steps for Sikhs

1:39:14 – Modi’s Role During the Gujarat Riots

Kalli Purie is the Vice Chairperson & Executive Editor-in-Chief of the India Today Group. She studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at Oxford University, UK. She is a core member of the team that created a modern newsroom designed for today’s multimedia and multi-device world.

In this episode of the ANI Podcast, Kalli Purie talks about the kind of political pressure news channels face from governments and how they handle it. She explains why every channel calls itself “number one,” and why billionaires are buying news channels.

She also opens up about why some top anchors left India Today, shares her opinion on influencers who do news without being journalists, and discusses how people are changing the way they consume news. She even makes a big prediction about the 2029 general elections.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction

01:09 – Heated Newsroom Discussions

04:46 – Battle to Get TRPs

07:54 – Operation Sindoor: Flaws in Coverage?

10:54 – Fake News & Fact-Checking Team

17:10 – Reality of News Channel Ratings

21:24 – Anchor Popularity vs Ratings

27:39 – Traditional Media vs Influencers

35:23 – Managing Anchors' Demands

39:44 – Evolution of Hindi News Channels

44:21 – Race for Exclusive Content

47:01 – The ‘Godi Media’ Term

52:59 – Billionaires buying Channels

1:01:12 – TV News Criticism & Digital Shift

1:07:45 – AI in Newsrooms

1:11:46 – Childhood Passion to Media Leadership

1:22:58 – Gender Perception in Media

1:28:27 – Idea Generation and Teamwork

1:35:06 – Work-Life Balance

Tilak Devasher is an author and a former member of India’s National Security Advisory Board. Sushant Sareen is a Senior Fellow at ORF and an expert on Pakistan and security issues in the region.

In this edition of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, the guests discuss how India can defeat Pakistan in its global propaganda war, the shortcomings in media and narratives during Operation Sindoor, and why Trump appears to be choosing Pakistan over India. They also delve into the psyche of Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir and his recent comments against India.

Audio Timestamps:

00:00 - Introduction

01:23 - Asim Munir's Interview in Brussels

10:47 - India-Pak Conflict: Why Did Pakistan Make It a Religious War?

16:46 - Asim Munir: Next President of Pakistan?

18:47 - Asim Munir's Allegations Against India

21:17 - The Mission Behind Munir’s US Visit

23:18 - Is Pakistan Choosing the US Over China?

28:51 - US Independence Day Message for Pakistan

30:13 - Will Asim Munir Ever Retire?

33:40 - How Is the Pakistan Army Funded?

36:35 - Pakistani Diaspora & Social Media Narratives

45:33 - India’s Ban on Pakistani Handles

51:45 - Has India Always Misread Washington?

57:10 - End of the Road for the QUAD?

01:02:51 - Western Hypocrisy on Russian Oil

01:10:41 - America’s Double Standards on Democracy

01:14:01 - Is India Losing the Narrative War?

01:17:53 - Ex-Pak FM Calls India a Rogue State

01:24:36 - Civil Society's Role in the Narrative War

01:38:59 - Is History Taught in Schools Biased?