JP Zachariah

#PolicyBeyondBorders – New Episode Out Now! 🎙️ Navigating the West Asia Crisis: India, the GCC and the Kerala Connect 🌍 As tensions escalate across West Asia, involving major actors like the United States, Iran, and Israel, India finds itself navigating a complex geopolitical and economic landscape. With critical maritime chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and Suez Canal under strain, what does this crisis mean for India’s energy security, trade routes, and diaspora? This episode explores how the evolving situation intersects with India’s strategic priorities and deeply embedded socio-economic linkages, particularly with Kerala’s Gulf-dependent economy. Is this a temporary disruption, or a deeper structural shift? Featuring Ambassador T. P. Seetharam, Former Ambassador of India to the UAE, and hosted by J Paul Zachariah, this episode examines: 🔹 India’s strategic balancing act amid competing interests in West Asia 🔹 Indo-Pacific spillovers and emerging maritime security concerns 🔹 Risks to the Indian diaspora and Kerala’s remittance-dependent economy 🔹 Energy security challenges and trade disruptions 🔹 Whether the crisis could trigger long-term economic diversification 🎧 Listen now: open.spotify.com/episode/3wfowb… #WestAsia #IndiaGCC #KeralaEconomy #EnergySecurity #Diaspora #Geopolitics #InternationalRelations #CPPRIndia

Even during War, you are safer in Dubai than walking or driving on the streets of India where u can fall in an open manhole, pit or an overspeeding car can snatch your life or if u haven’t ventured out, contaminated water, milk can be your end #dubaiattack

It’s hard to process what’s unfolding right now. Hearing the interceptions overhead and seeing how quickly everything has escalated is honestly terrifying. So many disturbing videos are coming to light, and this is sadly the reality of what is happening. Dubai is a city I deeply love, a place that has always felt safe and full of life, which makes this moment even harder to comprehend. To everyone who has been messaging and checking in, thank you, it truly means a lot. I am safe right now, stuck here in Dubai with my team, and we are doing okay as the situation around the war with Iran continues to evolve. The Airport is chaotic, with many families stranded and waiting, all of us just hoping we get past this soon. Moments like these remind you how fragile normal life really is. Praying for safety and peace for everyone affected.

Had a telecon with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi this evening. Shared India’s deep concern at the recent developments in Iran and the region. @araghchi

Did #America just start what they cannot finish? To those cheering that imminent 'destruction' of the Iranian regime, the war has affected almost all of the Gulf countries. That means destruction, chaos and uncertainty to be thrust upon millions. youtube.com/watch?v=n0wNcV…

Deregulating Building and Fire Rules for Improving Supply and Affordability of Urban Poor Housing in India. The global housing deficit is estimated at over 1.6 billion people, with developing countries bearing a disproportionate share of inadequate, unsafe, and informal housing. India alone faces an urban housing shortage exceeding 10 million units, largely affecting economically weaker sections and low-income households. With urbanisation projected to cross 40 percent by 2036, the pressure on cities to deliver affordable and safe housing will intensify. While land scarcity and financing constraints are often highlighted, regulatory rigidities in building norms and fire safety regulations significantly raise construction costs and limit supply, particularly for small developers and low-cost housing projects. Uniform standards, designed for formal and high-income housing, frequently fail to account for local conditions, incremental housing, and risk-proportionate safety approaches. This study will analyse how targeted regulatory and institutional reforms that balance safety with affordability strengthen local capacity and enable context-sensitive compliance. Easing procedural and design constraints can play a critical role in expanding formal housing access for the urban poor. Follow CPPR for research-driven perspectives on urban governance, housing policy, and regulatory reform. #CPPRIndia #CPPR #unlockurbanhousing #regulatoryreform #institutionalreform

“The revived partnership must balance old mistrust with the promise of a $50 billion future. The shift from “Bhangra Diplomacy” to “Energy Justice” and “Defence Industrialisation” shows both nations’ maturation as powers that can “still exert influence over global politics” (WEF, 2026). Geopolitically, a coalition between Canada and Australia (classified by the WEF as ‘middle powers’) and India (middle/major power) can act as a stabiliser in a world fractured by US-China trade wars and the unpredictability of “Trumpian” tariffs,” writes @jpzach, Programme Officer at #CPPRIndia, in his blog “The $50 Billion Reset: Navigating the New Geopolitics of Indo-Canadian Ties.” Read More: cppr.in/archives/indo-… #CPPR #IndoCanadianRelations #Geopolitics #ForeignPolicy #EnergyJustice #DefenceIndustrialisation #GlobalTrade

@ShashiTharoor Phonill samsarichondu nadanappale, vicharichhu kaluthetti vizhumennu. Onnum pattathathu, bhaghyam!! Sradhikende, Ambane!

जिस दीये को, तूफां में जलना होगा उसे, संभल-संभल के चलना होगा 😊 I am okay

“Union Budget 2026-27 serves more as a “stabilization budget” than a truly “transformational” one. While the government has significantly increased the capital outlay, it primarily addresses the immediate tactical gaps exposed by Operation Sindoor in air power and underwater domains. However, it stops short of the systemic financial restructuring required to move beyond a manpower-heavy force.” writes @jpzach, Programme Officer at #CPPRIndia, in his blog “Analysing India’s Defence Allocation in Budget 2026-27: Modernisation in the Shadow of Operation Sindoor” Read more here: cppr.in/archives/analy… #CPPRIndia #UnionBudget2026 #DefenceBudget #NationalSecurity #MilitaryModernisation #DefencePolicy #PublicPolicy #StrategicAffairs #IndianArmedForces

🌊 We are honoured to have Deputy Inspector General Ashish Mehrotra, Commander, Indian Coast Guard, District No. 4 (Kerala and Mahe), as the Chief Guest to inaugurate and deliver the Keynote Address at the International Conference on “India & Maldives: Sailing the MAHASAGAR Together.” 🔗 Learn more: cppr.in/international-… #SailingTheMAHASAGAR #IndiaMaldives #MaritimeSecurity #IndianOceanRegion #PolicyDialogue #InternationalConference

Dr D Dhanuraj, Chairman, CPPR, joined a panel discussion on Academia–Industry Collaboration in Data Science & AI at MIDAS-25, organised by, Mar Athanasius College (Autonomous) Kothamangalam contributing policy perspectives on AI, education, and skills development. #MIDAS25 #DataScience #ArtificialIntelligence #AIinEducation #AcademiaIndustryCollaboration #HigherEducation #DigitalSkills #PolicyAndTechnology #EducationPolicy #CPPRIndia

Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. @nsitharaman chairs the 12th Pre-Budget Consultation with the experts and stakeholders from the #Urbanisation sector in connection with the forthcoming Union Budget 2026-27, in New Delhi, today. The meeting was also attended by Secretary @MoHUA_India; the Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India, and senior officials of @FinMinIndia.

#KochiShipbuildingSummit An engaging panel discussion, moderated by Dr Rudra Prasad Pradhan, Professor at BITS Pilani, Goa Campus, and Distinguished Fellow at CPPR, was a key highlight of the #KochiShipbuildingSummit2025. The session featured eminent experts, including VAdm Ashok G Kumar PVSM, AVSM, VSM (Retd.), former Vice Chief of Naval Staff and former National Maritime Security Coordinator, India; Mr Biju George, Director (Shipbuilding), Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited; Mr Hariraj P, Chief Operating Officer, Smart Engineering & Design Solutions Ltd (SEDS); and Dr Satheesh Babu P K, Associate Professor, Department of Naval Architecture and Shipbuilding, CUSAT. The conversation explored strategies to enhance India’s shipbuilding competitiveness through #FinancialReforms, TechnologyAdoption, #Digitisation, and #GlobalCollaboration. Speakers highlighted the potential of initiatives such as the #ShipbuildingFinancialAssistanceScheme and the #MaritimeDevelopmentFund in driving growth and job creation. The deliberations also underlined the importance of #SustainableDesign, #SkillEnhancement, and #GreenInnovation, to align India’s maritime ambitions with the national vision of #ViksitBharat2047. The summit concluded with a strong call for continued collaboration between the government, industry, and academia to accelerate India’s transition from a regional shipbuilder to a global maritime hub. Organised by #CPPRIndia & Cochin Shipyard Limited. #IndiaMaritimeWeek #MaritimeInnovation #GlobalShipbuilding #ShipDesign #NavalArchitecture #MaritimeGrowth #SustainableShipping

LAST 9 DAYS TO REGISTER! Want to turn your curiosity into change? Discover how research powers public decisions with #CPPRAcademy’s #PublicPolicyResearch Course. 📅 Weekend live sessions | 💬 Expert-led modules 🔗 Apply now — cppracademy.in/public-policy-… #PublicPolicy #ResearchMethods #PolicyEducation #EvidenceBasedPolicy #PolicyResearch #Governance #ResearchSkills #CertificateCourse #PolicyThinkTank #HigherEducation #PolicyStudies

#GandhiJayanthi wishes to all sane people. Now a days it has become a trend for some Indians to mock #MahatmaGandhi. But his legacy will live on and continue to inspire many.

🌟Gandhi Jayanti wishes to all from CPPR! May the principles of equity and progress continue to inspire our vision and policy pathways for India’s future 🤝 #GandhiJayanti #CPPRIndia

🎙️ Policy Beyond Politics | Episode 63 Why has India’s manufacturing sector, despite liberalization and decades of economic reforms, continued to underperform relative to its potential? In this episode, we uncover “The Hidden Side of Manufacturing: Inside India’s Multi-Plant Strategy.” 🏭 Experts: 🔹 Dr Naveen Thomas (Vice Dean, JSGP, O. P. Jindal Global University) 🔹 Abhishek Anand (Managing Director, Insignia Policy Research) 🔸 Host: Banisha Begum Shaikh (Senior Associate – Research & Projects, CPPR) Tune in to the first episode in our new series on markets to learn why firms prefer the multi-plant approach, how it affects jobs and exports, and what changes in policy might help India build stronger and larger manufacturing units in the future. ▶️ Listen here: cppr.in/podcasts/ep-63… #PolicyBeyondPolitics #ManufacturingInIndia #EconomicPolicy #MultiPlantStrategy #IndustrialGrowth #Podcast #CPPRIndia

@TheHinduCinema Contrary to what @MaddockFilms says, #ParamSundari is not about North meeting South. It is just Bollywood, as usual, creating a stereotypical South. By the way, Mr #Gowarikar, hope you will NOT find authenticity in Param Sundari.

#JanhviKapoor’s #Malayali character in #ParamSundari is the latest addition to the list of misrepresented characters from #Kerala, writes Nainu Oommen Read here: trib.al/jpD0mQC

@mykinoplex Sparks may fly, but this is No North meets South. This is just Bollywood, as usual, meets a stereotypical South. By the way Mr #Gowarikar, hope you will NOT find authenticity in Param Sundari.

Get ready for Param Sundari! Sparks fly as North meets South in this hilarious & heartwarming love story! Catch it in theaters across Germany starting Aug 29! Book your tickets NOW at mykinoplex.com and don’t miss the romance, laughs, and drama! #ParamSundari #BookNow #MyKinoplex #BollywoodInGermany #ParamSundariTrailer #ParamSundariOn29Aug @MaddockFilms @SidMalhotra #JanhviKapoor #SanjayKapoor #RenjiPanicker @OyeManjot @siddshankar_ #InayatVerma #DineshVijan @TusharJalota #AarshVora #GauravMishra @sharadakarki #PoonamShivdasani @Soulfulsachin @JIGARSARAIYA @sachinjigarlive @OfficialAMITABH @dop_santha #DevrajSanyal @UMusicIndia @PenMovies #PenMarudhar

The troll army and defenders of the faith that are going overboard, with the support of the system, in crucifying two Christian nuns are living in a parallel universe where girls were not raped, killed, and buried. youtu.be/XrmQFeX--r4?si…