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In Focus by The Hindu

In Focus by The Hindu

Written by: The Hindu
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 A podcast from The Hindu that delves deep into current developments with subject experts, and brings in context, history, perspective and analysis.The Hindu Politics & Government
Episodes
  • Rubio’s Munich speech: A call for unapologetic Western domination?

    Rubio’s Munich speech: A call for unapologetic Western domination?
    Feb 20 2026
    In his speech at the Munich Security Conference last week, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio shared the MAGA vision of American foreign policy -- which has been dubbed by some as ‘Make the West Great Again’. At one level, it marked a clear shift from the speech that Vice President JD Vance gave last year, when he accused Europe of suppressing freedom of speech and democracy. Rubio, in contrast, played up the shared history and civilisational values between the US and Europe. He painted a future where the West, under American leadership, will boldly assert itself as the dominant geopolitical force on the planet. He also spoke fondly of the five centuries of Western domination right up to the Second World War. What does the vision outlined by Rubio, and the seeming nostalgia for Western empire signify for the Global South? Does it mark the start of another phase of colonial-style extraction mounted on unilateralism and economic coercion? Where does a middle power like India figure in this scheme of things? Guest: Suhasini Haidar, Diplomatic Affairs Editor, The Hindu Host: G. Sampath Edited and produced by Sharmada Venkatasubramanian Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    42 mins
  • In Focus-Parley | Does football suffer because of cricket?

    In Focus-Parley | Does football suffer because of cricket?
    Feb 19 2026
    Last weekend, the Indian Super League (ISL), the highest league in Indian football, kicked off after months of uncertainty. The disruption, which compelled some clubs to halt their operations and consigned the players and coaches to a state of desperation, emanated from the absence of a commercial partner for the league once the Master Rights Agreement between the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and Football Sports Development Limited (FSDL) expired in December. The Indian football team, which is 141st in the FIFA rankings, failed to even qualify for the 2027 AFC Asian Cup after a loss to Singapore last October. The contrast with cricket in India could not be starker. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is the richest and most powerful cricket board in the world right now, and India’s cricketers enjoy demigod status across the length and breadth of the country. Does football suffer because of cricket? Guests: Abhik Chatterjee, CEO of ISL club Kerala Blasters; Yannick Colaco co-founder of FanCode (the media rights partner of the ISL) Host: Vivek Krishnan Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 mins
  • Japan’s strategic shift: What Takaichi’s return means

    Japan’s strategic shift: What Takaichi’s return means
    Feb 18 2026
    Japan’s strategic posture is undergoing one of its most consequential transformations since the end of the Second World War. Long defined by its pacifist Constitution and its reliance on the United States for security guarantees, Japan built its global identity as an economic power that exercised influence largely through trade, technology and diplomacy. Over the past decade, however, shifting regional dynamics, particularly China’s rise and growing tensions in the Indo-Pacific, have prompted a reassessment in Tokyo about the country’s defence capabilities, alliance structures and strategic autonomy. This reassessment has accelerated under Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, whose leadership marks both a symbolic and political milestone as Japan’s first woman prime minister. Often associated with the conservative legacy of Shinzo Abe, Takaichi has signalled continuity in strengthening Japan’s security architecture while also projecting a more assertive political style. Her tenure raises important questions about how far Japan is willing to reinterpret constitutional constraints, expand defence spending and recalibrate its role within the U.S.–Japan alliance. At the same time, Japan finds itself navigating an increasingly complex external environment. Strategic competition between the United States and China, evolving regional security partnerships and debates over economic security and supply chain resilience have all influenced Tokyo’s policy choices. For countries such as India, which views Japan as a central pillar of its Indo-Pacific strategy, these shifts carry significant diplomatic and economic implications. In this episode, we explore what Japan’s changing strategic identity means in practical terms: whether Takaichi represents continuity or disruption in Japan’s post-war trajectory, how Tokyo is balancing alliance commitments with a desire for greater autonomy, and what these developments signal for the broader Indo-Pacific order. Guest: Sanjaya Baru, Policy Analyst, economist, and writer. Host: Shikha Kumari Producer: Jude Weston Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    23 mins
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