A Tryst with Statecraft

Episode 6: Vaccine Diplomacy

With Abhishek Sudke, Shreyas Ashok Kumar, and Sakshi Agarwal, we explore the topic of Vaccine Diplomacy today! Do listen on for our youth view on the issue. In the modern-day forum of health diplomacy, ‘vaccine diplomacy’ is a term used to describe the branch that is concerned with the use and delivery of vaccines. Given the magnitude of the Covid-19 crisis, the use of Vaccine Diplomacy has gained the limelight with countries like the US, UK, China, India, and Russia, using it to influence soft power relations, increase goodwill, and build on international relations. .Soft power is a political term that connotes a nations’ ability to attract international support and fraternity via means of co-opting and appeals (acts of altruism and goodwill such as helping out fellow nations with vaccine and healthcare supplies), instead of using the force of coercion to achieve this end. India along with many countries are engaged in the same and we will be deep-diving into the nature of India's Vaccine Diplomacy, both externally and internally to the current government. Stay tuned to our website and social media for the upcoming blog on Vaccine Diplomacy by Sakshi Agarwal.

Episode 5: Women in Policymaking and Development

Listen to Ms. Mitali Nikore, Founder of Nikore Associates and a Development Consultant with various multilateral development organizations, Abhishek Sudke, President of Project Statecraft, and Sajusha Ashok, Intern at Project Statecraft talk about issues surrounding women's role in the spheres of policy and development as we celebrate the International Women's Month 2021. The discussion touches upon concepts and issues including Gender Mainstreaming, Gender Budgeting, Monetizing of Care Work, and broader policy issues surrounding empowerment and development of women.

Episode 4: Down-lows of Behavioral Economics in Policymaking

Hosts: Radha Varadarajan | Kunal Panda | Vandhana Ramesh While social media and big corporate makes effective use of Behavioral Economics, its use and validity in policymaking are in question. The use of Nudge and Prospect Theory by the elected public servants in making policies for the good of the people is a slippery slope that could threaten the freedom and liberty of people at the cost of more effective policies. While the debate has gained prominence in recent times, a discussion on the topic with mentions of  John Stuart Mills, Adam Smith, and numerous prominent economists and philosophers is underway on our Spotify, Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, and Anchor channels.  Would you give an elected public servant the right to Nudge you towards a choice? The episode at a glance: - Some Theories of Economics- Prospect and Nudge Theory, some of them - Development Economics and Behavior of People - Ethical concerns of using Behavioral Economics in Policymaking by public servants - Impact of Behavioral Economics on Markets Welcome to another episode of Project Statecraft's, A Tryst with Statecraft. We hope you enjoy and take away from it and help others do the same as we strive in our fight to bridge the gap between the youth and the decision-makers.

Episode 3: Big Picture Economics of India

In the third episode of A Tryst with Statecraft, we explore the future of the Indian Economy from various lenses while specifically focussing on the welfare schemes and growth equation for the country's future.  In conversation with Mr. Dhiraj Nayyar, Director of Economics and Policy at Vedanta Resources, and their former Chief Economist, Abhishek Sudke and Vandhana Ramesh dive into the depts of India's development woes and explore the means of building back better.  A little more about our guest, Mr. Dhiraj Nayyar served in various capacities at the NITI Aayog for 3 years. In addition, he has been an editor and columnist for several news organizations such as the Indian Express, India Today, The Quint, and Bloomberg. He has published an insightful book on the transformative policies of the Modi government, titled “Modi and markets”. India’s growth in the post-COVID world will be a difficult endeavor and the increased interest in India as an investment hub mandates the government to use this opportunity to bring the economy back on track. Check out our episode to know how India can benefit the most from this pandemic recovery phase. The episode can now be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and Anchor.

Episode 2: Evolving Power Dynamics in Asia-Pacific with Professor Harsh V. Pant

On the second episode of A Tryst with Statecraft, we dive into the evolving power dynamics in the Asia-Pacific, and more specifically Indo-Pacific and the future of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) with Professor Harsh V. Pant, Professor of International Relations in the Defence Studies Department and the India Institute at King’s College, London. He is the Director, Studies and the Head of Strategic Studies Programme at the Observer Research Foundation in New Delhi and Abhishek Sudke, President of Project Statecraft. Discussion on Quad has given the Asia Pacific a renewed sense of hope in terms of ensuring principles such as freedom of Navigation on Open Seas and respect for Sovereignty amongst nations are reestablished and maintained in the region. China’s rise and the interest from nations other than Quad+ such as France have brought a whole new change to the power dynamic in the region and we discuss it all with Professor Harsh V Pant who specializes in research on Asian security issues. Episode at glance * Future of Indian Foreign Policy vis-a-vis Quad and Indo-Pacific * Australia’s evolved Foreign Policy with respect to Quad * The interest of France in the region and its impact * Role of the United States in regional and global diplomacy * Faults and potential ASEAN presents to Quad and the region Follow Project Statecraft at projectstatecraft.org [https://www.projectstatecraft.org/] instagram.com/projectstatecraft [http://instagram.com/projectstatecraft] linkedin.com/company/project-statecraft [//linkedin.com/company/project-statecraft]