Energizing India Podcast

Can democracies compete with China's algorithmic hegemony in the energy transition? In this pivotal episode, we sit down with Peter Varghese AO, former head of Australia's Office of National Assessments (Australia's intelligence agency), former High Commissioner (Ambassador) to India, and former Australian Secretary of Foreign Affairs, for an unfiltered discussion about the new world order reshaping energy and technology. Varghese challenges conventional wisdom on self-reliance, warning that abandoning comparative advantage could make us "a heck of a lot poorer." He reveals why containing China is "not feasible," but allowing it to become the Indo-Pacific hegemon would resurrect the Middle Kingdom where "hierarchy was harmony." With Trump's America imposing 50% tariffs on India and creating "perceptions of unreliability," Varghese explores whether the Quad and AUKUS can survive, and why India-Australia cooperation on critical minerals and AI remains slower than anticipated despite evident synergies. Key Discussions: Why China's control of energy technology may be irreversible. The "salad days" of US leadership and what comes after Trump. How AI will disrupt diplomacy, universities, and the very concept of expertise. The hidden risks in post-COVID self-sufficiency drives. What policymakers consistently get wrong about the China-India-Australia triangle Co-hosted by Ravin Mirchandani and special guest co-host Ritu David (ex-intelligence analyst, seconded to CIA Afghanistan), this episode delivers rare insights from one of Australia's most experienced strategic thinkers on navigating the collision of energy transition, AI disruption, and great power competition. Essential listening for anyone working in energy, technology, or international business in the Indo-Pacific. [Runtime: 32 minutes]

⚡️⚡️Energizing India Podcast Alert! ⚡️⚡️ 1991: India’s Near-Default Moment. How Did We Survive — and  in 2025 What  Challenges Come Next? | Montek Singh AHLUWALIA On this program, we engage with the key thinkers and leaders shaping India's economic, energy, and policy landscape. I'm your host, Ravin MIRCHANDANI, and today, honestly, I'm a little bit starstruck. Joining us on the show is someone we have admired for years and who really needs no introduction at all to the business audience, as he was one of the true architects of the modern India that we inhabit today. A journey that the country commenced in 1991, Montec Singh AHLUWALIA is an economist, a policy visionary, and also a civil servant who, along with the then-prime minister Manmohan Singh, played a pivotal role in steering India during its 1991 economic crisis. A moment of near default, where the country had to pledge its gold to keep the economy afloat. He served as the deputy chairman of the planning commission from 2004 to 2014, holding the rank of cabinet minister, and before that, he was the first director of the Independent Evaluation Office of the IMF.  Today we go behind the scenes of that 1991 crisis, what really happened in those 10 stays, battles that were fought in the coridoors of power and how india chose the path of liberalisation, we will also look ahead to the turbulence of the present moment, global trade wars, tariff barriers, and the new era of supply chain of geo politics, what does all of this mean to india and how do we charte the path forward.   This is a rare and candid conversation with a man who has seen it all from Washington to New Delhi and has helped shape India's economic destiny. Montec Singh AHLUWALIA, the man with the perennial blue turban, welcome to the program!

⚡️⚡️Energizing India Podcast Alert! ⚡️⚡️ Bangalore's pollution- a victim of its own economic success. Can EVs change that? | Thirumalai NC, Sector Head - Strategic Studies at CSTEP In this episode of the Energizing India Podcast, we head to India’s tech capital — Bangalore — a city at the heart of innovation, but also at the edge of an infrastructure overload. With startups like Ola, Ather, and Exponent leading India’s clean mobility revolution, Bangalore is setting the stage for what’s to come in 20 more cities. However, rapid economic growth comes with a paradox: 80% of households now own personal vehicles, and the city’s air quality is plummeting. We’re joined by Thirumalai NC, Sector Head at CSTEP, one of India’s leading think tanks in science, tech, and policy. He helps us understand the unique urban challenge Bangalore faces: Can a traffic-choked city leap into an electric future — and where will all that charging power come from? This is a story of hope, policy innovation, and the race to plug into a cleaner tomorrow.

In 2025, hydrogen is a darling of the energy sector. It represents hope for a greener tomorrow and the opportunity to democratize the energy generation industry, allowing any country to generate energy rather than being subject to the tyranny of the hydrocarbon molecule. Yet, it is underrepresented by women at the senior level and all levels of management globally. The Women Leaders in Hydrogen - India is a platform built to bring women in the industry together as a community to solve some of the critical commercial and scientific hurdles faced by the industry in India. With a mission to empower and inspire, in this episode, we are joined by our Co-Chairs: Dr. Anuradda Ganesh, Bhumika Singh, and Supriya Patwardhan

In this episode, we explore the intersection of policy and industry with a distinguished guest who plays a central role in advancing Australia's engagement with India.   We are honored to welcome Phil Green, Australia's High Commissioner to India, and a seasoned diplomat with a remarkable career spanning four continents. Over the years, Phil has served as High Commissioner or Ambassador to Germany, Singapore, South Africa, and Kenya, amassing extensive international experience and a deep understanding of global affairs.   A key figure in shaping Australia’s foreign policy, Phil was instrumental in the implementation of the Indo-Pacific strategy following its launch in 2017. He also played a pivotal role in formulating Australia’s approach to the Quad—a strategic partnership between Australia, India, Japan, and the United States.   Phil's contributions extend to advancing clean energy collaboration, having piloted the Australia-Germany Hydrogen Accord in 2021. His career highlights also include serving as International Adviser to former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and being awarded the Order of Australia medal for his exceptional leadership during the response to the Bali bombings.   Join us for an insightful discussion on the evolving Australia-India partnership and its critical role in the global energy transition.