This week, Newslaundry’s Manisha Pande, Raman Kirpal, and Shardool Katyayan were joined by The Hindu’s foreign correspondent Sriram Lakshman and its diplomatic affairs editor Suhasini Haidar.

On the election outcomes in the UK and France, Manisha reflects on the conclusion of the 14-year tenure of the Conservative Party in the UK, saying that the best way to challenge right-wing populism is to let them fail at governance. Sriram draws a parallel with France. “Macron calling for an early election was either a gamble or he wanted the French to get a taste of what they wanted – the right [wing] in parliamentary elections.”

The discussion moves on to PM Narendra Modi’s first trip to Russia after the Ukraine war. Suhasini says that the visit was an unusual shift from the balancing act of India’s foreign policy. “It’s the first time we’re seeing this criticism of a visit by Mr Modi mid-visit. Washington expressed concerns about India’s relations with Russia. While PM Zelenskyy tweeted that it’s a devastating blow to peace efforts that the leader of the world’s largest democracy embracing a ‘bloody criminal’.”

The panel also discusses the possibilities of the upcoming budget session of the parliament and the ongoing Maharashtra Legislative Council elections.

This and a lot more. Tune in!

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Song: Cornershop - Sleep On The Left Side