At the ET World Leaders Forum 2025, Archana Rai, Economic Times’, Editor, South speaks with Rajat Taneja, President Technology at Visa, about how India is shaping the future of payments. The discussion spans India’s trillion-dollar digital opportunity, the growing role of AI in fraud prevention, and Visa’s cutting-edge innovations from tokenized credentials and biometrics to agent-led e-commerce. Rajat noted that one-time passwords are no longer foolproof as they can be compromised, arguing that trusted platforms will shape the future of secure payments. Stressing AI’s transformative role, he also called for closer cooperation with regulators to build safer, faster digital transactions. He further highlights India’s pivotal role in Visa’s global R&D, while offering perspectives on regulation, financial inclusion, and the essentials of safe online shopping.

What happens when two of the world’s most populous nations attempt to reset ties amidst a multipolar order? In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Anirban Chowdhury is joined by ET’s Executive Editor, Politics, Pranab Dhal Samanta to unpack the significance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s meeting with President Xi Jinping. Against a backdrop of cordial but cautious exchanges, the conversation probes whether this rare chemistry signals a genuine shift or a pragmatic pause. From trade imbalances and supply chain vulnerabilities to the broader triangle of India, China, and Russia navigating U.S. dominance, the discussion examines how global realignments shape regional choices. With echoes of Japan, Korea, and Taiwan recalibrating their positions, the episode raises the subtle but pressing question: can India normalize ties with China while preserving balance in its wider strategic partnerships?

Over the last five weeks, The Morning Brief explored the investment stories shaping southern India through exclusive conversations with senior ministers from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Kerala. From manufacturing and infrastructure to IT, green energy, and start-ups each state is vying to stand out in India’s growth race. In this wrap-up episode of our special series South Capital, hosts Nidhi Sharma and Dia Rekhi break down the key takeaways, the sectors to watch, and how competitive southern states really are when it comes to attracting investments.

Artificial Intelligence is no longer just a buzzword in film editing rooms — it is beginning to script, generate, and even direct visual storytelling. In the second part of our special series on AI filmmaking, hosts Anirban Chowdhury and Rajesh Naidu speak to acclaimed director Shakun Batra — the creative force behind Kapoor & Sons and Gehraiyaan, now experimenting with AI-powered cinema. From building entire car chases through prompts, to rethinking workflows where “post becomes the new prep”, Shakun shares how AI is democratising imagination by freeing filmmakers from the traditional constraints of cost and scale. He also addresses the tough questions: authorship, ethics, data ownership, and whether AI can ever capture the “soul” of storytelling.Tune in.

India’s Online Gaming law, 2025 has jolted the country’s fast-growing gaming industry. The law bans real-money games while promoting e-sports and casual play, a shift that could transform a sector valued at over ₹30,000 crore. Host Anirban Chowdhury speaks with Vidushpat Singhania, managing partner at Krida legal and Rohit Agarwal, Founder - AlphaZegus Marketing to unpack the battles now unfolding, questions of state versus central authority, the unresolved debate of skill versus chance, and whether prohibition will truly safeguard users or simply drive betting underground. The fallout is already visible. Big-ticket sponsorships have been cancelled, major platforms have shut down operations, and creators who once thrived on gaming promotions are seeing sharp cuts in income. As courts weigh in and companies scramble to adapt, the future of gaming in India remains uncertain. What’s clear is that this legislation marks a turning point, not just for the industry, but for millions of players across the country.

In this episode of South Capital, the focus is on Tamil Nadu, India's manufacturing powerhouse and one of its most industrialized states. Known as the “Detroit of Asia” for its auto sector and the “Manchester of the South” for its textiles, Tamil Nadu plays a pivotal role in India’s GDP, exports, patents, and electronics manufacturing, including iPhone assembly. Host Dia Rekhi speaks with Tamil Nadu’s Industries Minister TRB Rajaa, who shares the state’s vision of becoming a $1 trillion economy, a goal built on decades of progress in education, manufacturing, IT, textiles, electronics, and renewable energy. He underscores the state’s strengths in women’s empowerment, robust infrastructure, and policy consistency, while highlighting new opportunities in semiconductors, technical textiles, shipbuilding, seafood processing, and offshore wind. Tamil Nadu also hosts India’s largest base of MSMEs, many of them women-led, which drive innovation and strengthen supply chains. Unlike states that compete domestically, Tamil Nadu positions itself against global economies, striving to stand out as a leader in industry, sustainability, and investment. With infrastructure upgrades, climate-resilient planning, and green energy targets set ahead of national goals, Tamil Nadu is firmly establishing itself as a global industrial hub.

For months, India has felt the squeeze of China’s export chokehold on rare earth magnets vital for EVs, fertilizers key to food security, and raw materials that keep pharma running. Automakers faced stalled assembly lines, farmers braced for higher costs, and drugmakers feared supply disruptions. Now, with Prime Minister Modi set to visit China for the SCO summit, a narrow trade package is on the table. Host Anirban Chowdhury speaks with ET’s Sharmistha Mukherjee, Shambhavi Anand, Vikas Dandekar, and economist Sachin Chaturvedi to unpack the freeze, the fragile easing, and the big questions: Can India trust Beijing as a trade partner? Could pharma rivals really collaborate? And can China balance out an increasingly protectionist U.S. in this tense economic triangle?

Another week, another rulebook for India’s digital economy—this time, a competition code. The Digital Competition Bill (DCB) would flip enforcement from ex-post litigation to ex-ante guardrails for “systemically significant” platforms, banning self-preferencing, data misuse against business users, coercive tying, and stealth blocks on interoperability—under the CCI, not a new super-regulator. It’s meant to supplement the Competition Act, not replace it.In this episode Kazim Rizvi, Founding Director of The Dialogue, a public policy think-tank, tells Anirban Chowdhury that India may not need a new statute now: first test the 2023 Competition Act amendments (settlements/commitments), build capacity, and let case outcomes prove speed and effectiveness—citing the CCI’s recent 12-month Google Android TV matter as evidence that ex-post can work with resources.He also brings data from The Dialogue’s survey of MSMEs using digital platforms to show the rules may hobble Indian digital-first firms.Ex-ante code now or sharper ex-post tools first?

Telangana, India’s youngest state, is charting an ambitious path to become a trillion-dollar economy by leveraging its strengths in technology, AI, and skilled talent. In a candid conversation host Dia Rekhi talks with Industries and IT Minister Sridhar Babu to analyse how Hyderabad, already a global hub for tech giants, pharma leaders, and GCCs is driving growth into tier-2 and tier-3 cities, expanding tourism, and adding value to agriculture through processing and market linkages. The state is making a bold push into AI with a planned 200-acre AI City, a dedicated AI university, and integration of AI across government services. Alongside, it is bolstering aerospace, defense, electronics manufacturing, and data centers, while ensuring sustainability through renewable energy and infrastructure planning. Competing fiercely yet strategically with its southern neighbors, Telangana is working to create multiple “mini-Hyderabads” and future-proof its workforce while speaking out against perceived biases in national project allocations.

AI in films is no longer a fringe experiment. It moved from a backstage assistant to calling the shots. In three years, Gen AI models have evolved from conjuring massive battle scenes in Lord of the Rings to making full fledged feature films through prompts. Questions of course remain on credibility and credits, but film makers like Darren Aronofsky are helming AI film projects too. In this heady jamboree of tech, creativity and storytelling can India be far behind?In this episode, host Anirban Chowdhury chronicles the rise of this technology and talks to Gurdeep Singh Pall, a former Microsoft veteran and co-founder of Intelliflicks, to unpack his journey in creating a full length hyper-real historical AI-generated feature film. They explore the creative breakthroughs and strange quirks of synthetic actors, the ethical minefields of authorship and consent, and why Pall is determined to push the limits of what’s possible on screen. It’s a front-row seat to the moment when technology becomes both the camera and the storyteller.

In this episode, we dive into why foreign investors have been quietly pulling billions out of India’s stock markets even as they talk up the country’s growth potential. We break down the main drivers: stock prices are high compared to history and other Asian markets, corporate earnings growth has slowed, the rupee has weakened, and economic activity has lost some steam. And then came the curveball hefty U.S. tariffs on Indian exports. This unexpected move has rattled investors already on the edge. While strong domestic inflows from Indian investors have helped steady the market, foreign money still matters, because it’s often seen as a measure of global confidence in the economy. Host Anirban Chowdhury with ETs markets editor Nishanth Vasudevan explore the different kinds of foreign investors from “hot money” chasing short-term opportunities to patient, value-focused funds waiting for the right moment. The question now is: will they return if the market takes a dip, earnings bounce back, or growth accelerates again?

Karnataka drives 65% of India’s aerospace and defence output, over half of its machine tools, and 60% of its biotech exports but much of that growth is concentrated in and around Bengaluru. This week, we unpack the state’s broader industrial ambitions and historic legacy from the Wadiyar dynasty’s investments in education to Asia’s first hydroelectric power in Mysore and the streetlights of Bengaluru in 1905. Host Nidhi Sharma speaks with Karnataka large and medium industries minister M.B. Patil on the state’s new industrial policy, the Invest Karnataka Forum, and its efforts to spread growth across districts. But with neighbouring states like Andhra snapping at its heels with faster land clearances and aggressive pitches, can Karnataka stay competitive and inclusive?

Virtual Reality in India has long been seen as a futuristic gaming gimmick flashy, expensive, and niche. But that’s changing. Host Anirban Chowdhury and ETs Rajesh Naidu talk to national award winning film maker Ram Madhvani (Neerja, Aarya) who is reimagining VR as a cultural and spiritual experience. His latest project? A five-minute immersive film on the Bhagavad Gita not for streaming, but to be experienced through VR headsets in temples, forts, and museums across India. With plans to roll out 100 such films by 2028 and place headsets in cultural hubs, Madhvani wants to democratize VR not through Silicon Valley, but through Bharat. Priced at just ₹100, these bite-sized experiences could bring in pilgrims, students, and families, not just gamers and techies. As India’s spiritual tourism surges and the government pushes cultural pride, could this be the unlikely tipping point for VR adoption in the country? We dive into the vision, the tech, the economics and the big bet on storytelling as India’s gateway to the metaverse.

What happens when economic friction between two global partners sparks deeper strategic questions? In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Anirban Chowdhury sits down with global trade expert Agneshwar sen to unpack the recent U.S. tariff imposition on India and its far-reaching implications. From the unexpected 25% tariff to the intricate triangle of the U.S.-India-Russia ties, the conversation navigates the fine line between trade penalties and geopolitical signaling. Is Washington's move a matter of policy consistency or a sign of deeper mistrust? Agneshwar Sen explores India’s path forward through diversification, smarter trade alignments, and the urgent need for a robust bilateral trade pact. As August 7 looms, the episode offers a nuanced look at how India can weather economic turbulence while safeguarding strategic autonomy.

Kerala, India’s smallest southern state by area, is often celebrated for its pioneering “Kerala Model,” where social progress laid the foundation for economic growth. Decades of focus on education and healthcare have led to high literacy, long life expectancy, and rising per capita income. But today, the state grapples with fresh challenges: outward migration of skilled talent, an ageing population, growing healthcare needs, and limited land for industrial growth. In this second installment of South Capital, host Nidhi Sharma speaks with Kerala’s Industries Minister P. Rajeev on how the state plans to attract investments while balancing growth with sustainability and social equity.

Once valued at over ₹1 lakh crore, Anil Ambani’s Reliance ADAG group is now facing one of its biggest reckonings. The Enforcement Directorate has launched a sweeping probe into alleged loan fraud and money laundering worth over ₹24,000 crore—spanning Yes Bank transactions, shell firms, and suspected quid pro quo deals with Rana Kapoor’s family offices. In this episode, host Anirban Chowdhury, ET’s banking editor Sangita Mehta and its tracker of financial wrongdoings Rashmi Rajput unpack the Grand Thornton audit red flags, the delays in enforcement action, and the high-stakes legal and financial fallout. Tune in.

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is set to lay off around 12,000 employees, its biggest workforce reduction to date. While the move might seem driven by automation, the company attributes it instead to a widening skills gap. As TCS shifts to newer technologies and agile delivery models, many existing roles especially at the mid and senior levels no longer align with business needs. Bench policies are also being tightened, with extended periods of unassigned time potentially leading to termination. TCS says it will offer support to affected employees, including severance pay, healthcare coverage, and job placement assistance. In this episode, Host Anirban Chowdhury, ET’s Beena Parmar and UnearthInsight CEO Gaurav Vasu unpack how this signals a larger industry shift where digital transformation is reshaping not just what tech companies do, but how they need to do it.

When Tamil Nadu claimed the title of “India’s No. 1” in economic growth, Andhra Pradesh hit back with a sharp, self-aware message: “We are No. 2. We work harder.” Borrowing from a legendary advertising playbook, the move sparked a fresh wave of competition among southern states vying for investment and influence. In the first episode of our special limited series South Capital, we put the spotlight on Andhra Pradesh’s renewed push under Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. From reviving stalled mega-projects to enticing investors across state borders, AP is pulling out all the stops to reclaim its place on India’s economic map. Host Nidhi Sharma sits down with Nara Lokesh, Minister for IT, Electronics, and Communications, to unpack the real story from leadership transitions and political recalibrations to whether Andhra’s promise of “speed of doing business” can challenge the established investor ecosystems of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

What if the next billion-dollar idea wasn’t about making money but about making a difference? In this episode, host Anirban Chowdhury sits down with Varun Aggarwal, deeptech entrepreneur and AI researcher, and Shubham Bansal, a YCombinator alum turned social impact leader. Together, they lead Change Engine, a first-of-its-kind nonprofit accelerator aiming to build 20 nonprofit unicorns in India each impacting over a million lives. They discuss their bold vision for scaling nonprofits with startup-style speed and ambition, expose the cracks in India’s philanthropic funding model, and introduce their latest work, The Playbook for Nonprofit Unicorns, a practical guide to driving large-scale impact. From navigating government systems to using technology for grassroots change, this conversation reimagines what innovation and success can look like in today’s India. Tune in to discover how mission-driven ventures might just be the country’s most powerful engine of change.

It’s been a turbulent fortnight for corporate leadership, with sudden CEO exits at companies like HUL, Coca Cola bottler HCCB, L’Oréal, Diageo, Kenvue and WPP. In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Ratna Bhushan speaks to ET’s Associate Editor Arijit Barman and Vibhav Dhawan, Partner at Positive Moves Consulting to unpack what’s driving this churn: from slowing demand to soaring competition, from tariff pressures to slackening control over ad networks, from a lack of focus on growth to a push for next-gen leadership. Why is the top job turning into a revolving door? Are CEOs fall guys? Is the traditional playbook outdated? And are short tenures the new normal? Listen in.

Bengaluru is rapidly emerging as India’s new advertising epicenter, challenging the long-standing reign of Mumbai and Delhi. What’s driving this transformation? A dynamic combination of thriving startups, digitally native D2C brands, and a fresh crop of independent agencies that are reshaping the creative landscape. From fintech to fantasy sports, the city is drawing in forward-thinking advertisers eager to experiment. Its strong tech foundation positions it as a frontrunner in AI-enabled content, digital innovation, and hyperlocal campaigns. But the momentum isn’t limited to Bengaluru. Southern markets like Kerala, Chennai, and Hyderabad are also experiencing significant economic growth, rising consumer demand, and sectoral expansion. The pandemic only accelerated this shift, with remote work enabling talent to stay anchored in the South and flourish. Host Prasad Sangameshwaran is joined by Lloyd Mathias, business strategist and independent director; Kaustav Das, CEO and co-founder, Ralph&Das; and Rahul Vengalil, CEO & co-founder of TGTHR, as they unpack how Bengaluru and the broader South are rewriting the narrative of Indian advertising.

India’s aesthetic legacy is lighting up luxury runways across Paris and Milan from Louis Vuitton’s “Voyage to India” to Prada’s controversial Kolhapuri-inspired sandals. But behind the global admiration lies a deeper story: one of borrowed beauty, blurred boundaries, and battles for credit. We explore the fine line between celebration and exploitation. Fashion scholar Phyllida Jay joins host Apoorva Mittal to unpack how India stands between being endlessly mined for design and finally demanding recognition. With GI tags, artisan invisibility, and IP inequalities at the forefront, this is a look at what happens when the world wears India without saying her name. Credits: Louis Vuitton.

What happens when a global FMCG giant hits pause on its playbook and places a bold new bet on leadership? In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Ratna Bhushan speaks with Sandip Ghose, HUL veteran and currently Managing Director of MP Birla Cement, and ET’s Senior Editor Sagar Malviya to unpack the high-stakes leadership transition at Hindustan Unilever Limited, where the abrupt exit of CEO Rohit Jawa has made way for marketing veteran Priya Nair. From long-standing market pressures and legacy baggage like GSK’s Horlicks to shifting consumer trends, the conversation traces the strategic recalibrations underway at HUL. With insights into the contrasting legacies of Jawa and his predecessor Sanjiv Mehta, the episode explores what Nair’s digital-first, premium-led approach could mean for the company’s growth story. Will her vision reinvigorate investor confidence and steer HUL through a slowing consumer cycle? Or is this a bigger story about transformation, expectation, and the evolving DNA of leadership in Indian corporates?

A sweeping revision of Bihar’s voter list has stirred debate. The Election Commission’s first Special Intensive Revision in over 20 years demands new, unfamiliar documents from thousands within just 30 days. Critics call it rushed, exclusionary, and potentially unconstitutional. The Commission defends it as essential housekeeping ahead of elections. But why now? Why Bihar? Is this a test run for a nationwide voter roll purge? Host Anirban Chowdhury speaks with ET’s Anubhuti Vishnoi, former Election Commissioner Ashok Lavasa, and political reporter Kumar Anshuman. As citizens wade through monsoon floods to prove they belong, one question looms: are we protecting democracy or locking people out of it?Credits: The Indian Express

In a significant development, SEBI has barred Jane Street, one of the world’s leading proprietary trading firms, from participating in Indian markets. The action follows concerns over aggressive options trading strategies and suspected manipulation, particularly around Bank Nifty’s weekly expiries. This move reflects the regulator’s growing focus on tightening control over algorithmic and high-frequency trading, especially by foreign players. Host Anirban Chowdhury discusses the implications with ET’s Sugata Ghosh and Reena Zachariah as well hedge fund executive Mayank Bansal, on SEBI’s toughest crackdown on a global trading firm. Tune in. Credits: Bloomberg Television, Business Today, CNBC-TV18

Women—regardless of privilege or education— continue to shoulder the invisible burden of caregiving and domestic work. They may appear independent and empowered but behind the scenes, most women are still doing it all, unpaid and unacknowledged. In this conversation host Apoorva Mittal talks with Sunaina Kumar, Senior Fellow at Observer Research Foundation, about the weight of domestic labor, the need for flexible policies, trustworthy childcare, and the cultural shifts essential to making real progress. Because recognizing invisible work is the first step toward equity.

Labubu, the “cute but creepy” character from The Monsters series by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, has taken over the world….and now IndiaOnce a niche designer toy, Labubu is now a global collectible phenomenon—fuelled by Pop Mart’s blind box strategy and major celebrity endorsements from Rihanna to Karan Johar. With prices ranging from ₹4,000 to over ₹1 crore, Labubu is driving a fast-growing collectibles trend in India. From social media unboxings to resale site frenzies, the demand shows no signs of waning. Host Dia rekhi talks to resellers Nikhil Jain of City Kicks India and Abbas Ali Zaveri, founder at Hype Fly India about discusses why Indian collectors are rushing to join this global club.

"Axis Bank, MD & CEO Amitabh Chaudhry sits down with ET’s Saloni Shukla and banking editor Sangita Mehta for an unfiltered conversation on growth, competition, and resilience. Since taking over in 2019, Chaudhry has led Axis to become India’s third-largest private sector bank. Yet, questions remain about its relatively slower growth especially when compared to peers like ICICI and HDFC Bank. With the banking sector navigating fresh headwinds, sluggish deposit growth, stricter regulatory scrutiny on NBFC ties, tightening margins, and global uncertainty, Chaudhry offers a frank assessment of what’s next for Axis, the banking industry at large and much more. Tune in."

What happens when long-simmering tensions between two regional powers erupt into a flashpoint for global concern? In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Anirban Chowdhury is joined by Barbara Slavin, distinguished fellow at the Stimson Centre to unpack the fragile but ferocious dynamic between Iran and Israel. Framed by the October 7th Hamas attacks and the Gaza War, the conversation traces the deeper history of Iran’s relationship with Israel and the rise of the so-called Axis of Resistance. From regime stability in Tehran to nuclear ambitions, Barbara offers insight into whether this conflict marks a shift in Iran’s regional strategy or simply a recalibration.The episode also probes the role of the United States, questioning why it acts as a combatant rather than a mediator and whether its long-standing “maximum deterrence” doctrine still holds water. Is there still hope for peace?

An Air India flight took off on June 12 and within seconds, it became one of the deadliest air crashes in recent memory. Only one of the 242 people aboard survived. The official investigation has been hamstrung by a severely damaged black box that had to be flown to the NTSB lab for decoding. Host Anirban Chowdhury speaks to Aurobindo Handa, former head of India’s air accident probe agency, to understand what it takes to uncover the truth after an air crash. Drawing on his years of experience including the Calicut crash of 2020 he also sheds light on what holds back India’s air safety investigations: low budgets and short-staffed teams.

Seconds after taking off from Ahmedabad en route to London, Air India flight AI171 crashed, killing 241 of 242 people onboard, marking India’s worst aviation disaster in over a decade.In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Anirban Chowdhury speaks with safety and flight ops expert Amit Singh, founder of Safety Matters Foundation as well as ET’s aviation experts Forum Gandhi and Arindam Majumder, to unpack the tragedy that has shaken the foundations of India’s aviation sector.With the black box recovered and investigations underway, the episode explores what is known so far, the hard questions around airline accountability, and whether lapses in safety protocols played a role.

As rare earth shortages disrupt global manufacturing, India’s auto sector is feeling the crunch. In this episode of The Morning Brief, hosts Anirban Chowdhury and Shally Seth Mohile speak with Ankit Somani (Co-founder, Conifer), Hemal Thakkar (Senior Practice Leader and Director, Crisil Intelligence), and Vinnie Mehta (Director General, ACMA) to unpack how China’s tightening grip on rare earth exports is sending shockwaves through India’s auto sector. With restrictions on critical elements and magnets used in EVs, defense, and electronics, Indian supply chains are strained.Rare earth magnets up to 15 times stronger than steel magnets and power everything from regenerative braking and sensors to infotainment and battery systems. Yet despite having the world’s fifth-largest reserves, India lacks the refining capacity, magnet-making infrastructure, and policy clarity to compete. The result? Deepening dependence on China, which controls more than 85% of global processing.As export approvals get entangled in a multi-agency licensing maze, Indian manufacturers are scrambling to respond from redesigning tech to lobbying for domestic capacity. This episode explores whether India can future-proof its clean-tech ambitions or stay magnetized to global risk.

"A bottle of mango lassi, neatly sealed and within its expiry date, erupts like a shaken soda—over-fermented and undrinkable. Delivered in 10 minutes from a quick commerce dark store, it should’ve been safe. But it wasn’t. And it isn’t an isolated case. As India’s quick commerce boom races ahead with 10-minute deliveries, dark stores—those invisible micro-warehouses powering your convenience—are quietly falling short on food safety. From broken packaging and stale bread to near-expiry edible oils and infestations, hygiene violations are slipping through the cracks. With fragmented regulations and overstretched operations, are we walking blind into a public health risk? Host Anirban Chowdhury speaks to ET’s Ratna Bhushan and Dr Arun Gupta, convenor, Nutrition Advocacy in Public Interest, about the systemic hygiene failures inside dark stores, the medical risks of spoiled food, and whether consumer convenience is quietly compromising our safety.Tune in

For decades, Indian family businesses have operated on trust, tradition, and unwritten rules. But as generational transitions approach, and as businesses scale or seek external capital, these legacy structures are coming under pressure. Succession in Indian family businesses is no longer a backroom conversation, it's becoming a strategic imperative. And as new voices emerge in old rooms, the question is no longer if the change will come, but how prepared families are to manage it. Host Dia Rekhi talks to Falguni Shah, Partner at PwC and Srinath Sridharan, corporate advisor and author of Family and Dhanda about this shift. Why are more families writing constitutions? What role do generational gaps, investor pressure, and changing cultural attitudes play? And are these isolated cases or the early signs of a broader transformation? Tune in.

Havas Group, the world’s fifth-largest advertising network, counts India as one of its most successful markets. In this special Corner Office Conversation, Yannick Bolloré, Chairman and CEO of Havas Group, talks to Ratna Bhushan about why Indian branding and advertising is a “completely different world”. With several big accounts such as Reckitt Benckiser, HUL and Tata Steel and a headcount that has grown 10X in eight years and poised to double in the next few, Havas is betting big on India's booming middle class, digital-first consumers, and world-class talent base. Bolloré shares how India’s digitisation story where digital ad spends have overtaken traditional media offers a blueprint for the future. He also explains why Havas embraced AI early, how it’s slashing production costs while enabling hyper-personalised campaigns and why he wants every Havas employee to be AI-trained. Bolloré also discusses how geopolitical uncertainty from Trump’s tariffs to regional tensions continues to have an impact on advertising.Tune in!

The Trump-Harvard tussle over international students has aspirants and their parents in a bind. In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Prachi Verma explores the ripple effect of the clash and what it signals for the future of American higher education. With its federal certification temporarily stripped, Harvard now has less than 30 days to prove it complies with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. While a federal judge has paused the enforcement, the uncertainty is real—especially for the nearly one-third of Harvard’s student population that comes from abroad, including 800 Indians.As Indian families reassess their higher education plans, Prachi speaks to Naveen Chopra, founder of TC Global, and Deepak Ahluwalia, a U.S.-based immigration lawyer, to unpack what this means on the ground from admissions anxieties to long-term policy implications. From curriculum and diversity to global enrolment strategies, the question lingers: in a decentralized and competitive academic world, can a single institution still lead or is the age of institutional bellwethers coming to an end?

From Steve Jobs’s design obsession to Cold War-like entanglements in China, Apple’s supply chain story is as much geopolitical as it is operational. In this episode of The Morning Brief, hosts Anirban Chowdhury and Dia Rekhi speak with Financial Times’ lead Apple reporter, journalist and author Patrick McGee, whose new book explores how Apple’s reliance on China helped build both the iPhone and China’s manufacturing dominance. From Foxconn’s factory cities to Tim Cook’s “Uber of manufacturing” model, the conversation traces how Apple’s pursuit of speed and scale created strategic dependence. As trade tensions escalate and India eyes its own role, Patrick unpacks why China’s ecosystem is still unmatched and whether democratic countries can replicate its efficiency without compromising core values. In a world of fragile ties and rising tariffs, the episode asks can the company pivot from China without dismantling the very machine it built?

Malta’s golden passport scheme once ranked #1 globally for citizenship-by-investment has been declared a violation of EU law by the European Court of Justice, signaling a major turning point in global wealth migration. As the EU cracks down on fast-track citizenship programs, high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), including thousands of wealthy Indians, are reassessing their options for second citizenship and global mobility. Host Neil Ghai talks to Rajneesh Pathak, founder of GlobalNorth Residency and Citizenship and Andri Boiko, Founder & Global CEO , Garant In, as they discover how this landmark ruling could reshape investment migration trends, impact the future of golden visas, and shift demand toward more affordable residency and passport programs in the Caribbean and beyond.

Last week, Donald Trump made headlines once again.. this time by issuing veiled threats to Apple CEO Tim Cook over the company’s expanding operations in India. But despite the political noise, Apple is pushing full steam ahead with its India strategy, with Foxconn reportedly set to double iPhone production in the country this year. As Apple positions India as a key manufacturing hub and a potential alternative to China, host Dia Rekhi is joined by Tarun Pathak, Research Director at Counterpoint Research, and ET’s Suraksha P to break down the implications of Trump’s remarks. They explore the ground realities at Apple’s top supplier Foxconn’s new Bengaluru facility and examine whether Apple could truly shift away from China or even bring iPhone production to the US.

From Guns n Roses shredding in Mumbai to Coldplay slaying it in Ahmedabad, India is grooving to a new and potentially massive business. In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Anirban Chowdhury speaks with Raghav Anand, Partner at EY-Parthenon, and Naman Pugalia, Chief Business Officer at BookMyShow, to decode India’s live entertainment boom. With global icons like Travis Scott, Dua Lipa, and Imagine Dragons lighting up Indian stages, the conversation explores the forces behind the concert economy’s 25% annual growth, rising disposable incomes, Gen Z’s craving for experience-first entertainment, and the digital ease of access fueling demand.What happens when 86% of a concert’s audience flies in from outside the host city? The episode unpacks the ripple effects from hotel bookings and ride-hailing surges to a redefined urban economy. But in a country where infrastructure still lags ambition, the spotlight shifts to BookMyShow’s transformation from ticketing platform to ecosystem builder through innovations in production, venue retrofitting, and audience readiness.As India eyes its own Coachella moment, the question remains: can the nation’s stages keep up with its global-sized fanbase?

What does it take to develop and actually settle a new capital city?On May 2nd, PM Narendra Modi launched Amaravati, the proposed capital of Andhra Pradesh. But this wasn’t its first unveiling. Back in 2015, then CM Chandrababu Naidu had launched the same greenfield dream with the PM by his side. Now, after a political hiatus and a resounding mandate, Naidu is back and so is Amaravati. In this episode of The Morning Brief, ET’s host Nidhi Sharma speaks with State IT and HRD Minister Nara Lokesh and former Smart City mission director Kunal Kumar to explore the challenges of attracting investors, rebuilding trust, and turning a fertile riverfront into a functioning capital city. From the promise of land pooling to the pitfalls of political disruption, the conversation traces Andhra Pradesh’s reset to “one state, one capital,” drawing comparisons with Cyberabad and probing if this new push can meet its tight timelines.As India’s urban future accelerates and greenfield cities remain the exception, Amaravati may offer both a blueprint and a cautionary tale. Can Andhra Pradesh transform this dream into a thriving hub — or will Amaravati remain a story of ambition interrupted? Credits: Image Fosters + Partners"

"From a modest Silicon Valley garage to a global creative powerhouse, Adobe's journey has been nothing short of transformative. In this episode of The Morning Brief, ET’s Surabhi Agarwal & Annapurna Roy engaged with Adobe Chairman & CEO Shantanu Narayen to discuss how the company is integrating AI with design to redefine digital creativity. Narayen reflects on India's burgeoning creative economy, Adobe's four-layer AI strategy, and the company's ""customer zero"" approach to innovation. He also shares insights on how tools like Firefly are gaining unique traction in India and emphasizes that AI, when combined with human ingenuity, can elevate creative work rather than replace it. As AI redraws the boundaries of art and tech, the episode asks: Can India lead the next creative renaissance? And can Adobe stay ahead without losing its human touch?"

From Carnegie Mellon classrooms to a global cultural phenomenon, this episode of The Morning Brief traces the journey of Luis von Ahn, math prodigy, inventor of CAPTCHA, and now the CEO and co-founder of Duolingo. Hosts Anirban Chowdhury and ET’s Deputy News Editor Himani Kothari explore how Luis’s early work fighting bots evolved into a business to democratize education through gamified language learning. What began with a Spanish course and a German prototype has grown into a plus 500-million-user platform, driven by Duolingo’s bite-sized lessons, quirky owl mascot, and irreverent marketing strategy. The conversation delves into the company’s expansion into math, music, and chess, its partnership with OpenAI, and the creative freedom that powers its viral success. As AI becomes central to the future of learning, Luis weighs its potential to enhance, not replace, human education. Can platforms like Duolingo balance fun, function, and cultural impact in a world increasingly shaped by algorithms? Tune in.

In the early hours of Wednesday, May 7—well past midnight—India launched a precise, 23-minute military operation targeting nine sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. These locations were reportedly strongholds of two of the world’s most notorious terror groups: Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed. Indian Rafale jets deployed SCALP and HAMMER missiles in the strikes, in what appeared to be a retaliatory act not only against the recent Pahalgam attack, but against a long history of terror incidents—Red Fort, Parliament, Mumbai train blasts, Pathankot, Uri, Pulwama—stretching back to the Kargil conflict. According to Indian government sources, over 100 militants were killed in the strikes. Pakistan launched a retaliatory attack using drones and missiles, reportedly aimed at as many as 15 cities across northern India. The Indian government stated that all incoming threats were intercepted, primarily using its S-400 air defence systems. India then escalated further, crossing deeper into Pakistani territory than ever before. It neutralized an air defence radar installation in Lahore and conducted operations in sites at Sialkot and even near Islamabad. This marks a significant shift in India’s military posture—from punitive strikes to potentially pre-emptive warfare. As the lines blur between militants, soldiers, and civilians, critical questions emerge: Is this the new normal in India’s security doctrine? How long can Pakistan withstand a prolonged conflict, economically and militarily? Will China’s support to Pakistan—currently limited to weapons supply—expand into something more direct? And, crucially, what diplomatic or military paths remain open for de-escalation before the region tips into broader instability? Host Anirban Chowdhury discusses with ET’s Manu Pubby and Hakim Irfan Rashid.

As the UK and India inch closer to sealing their most ambitious bilateral trade agreement post-Brexit, the stakes have never been higher. In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Anirban Chowdhury speaks to Pallavi Joshi Bakhru, Partner and UK Corridor Leader at Grant Thornton Bharat to unpack the long-awaited deal poised to reshape £43 billion in annual trade between the two nations. With UK exporters set to save up to £900 million in tariffs and Indian workers finally gaining access to the long-sought Social Security Agreement, the episode dives into what each country truly stands to gain. Questions remain: Have thorny issues like data protection, IP rights, and worker mobility really been resolved? Can this deal serve as a blueprint for India’s much-anticipated pact with the US? And will promises on paper translate into performance on the ground? Stay tuned for a sharp look at a trade moment that could redefine bilateral economics in a fractured global order.

As trust in domestic examinations falters, interest in studying medicine abroad is gaining momentum. In the wake of NEET-UG 2024’s credibility crisis marked by paper leak allegations, grace marks controversies, and a perplexing spike in perfect scores many Indian medical aspirants are rethinking their future. In this episode of The Morning Brief, host Neil Ghai speaks with Akshay Chaturvedi, CEO of Leverage Edu, and Ankur Bharti, Executive Director at Grant Thornton Bharat, to unpack this shifting dynamic. From Russia and Ukraine’s aggressive recruitment drives to the Supreme Court’s insistence on NEET qualification for even overseas MBBS seats, we explore the ripple effects on young dreamers caught in the crossfire. The discussion spans digital platforms influencing student decisions, the appeal of shorter and cost-effective specialization paths, and the emotional toll of navigating a shaken admissions system. Is this growing exodus a practical pivot or a desperate detour? And can war-torn or economically strained nations truly offer safe academic havens? Stay tuned as we trace the contours of a new medical migration and ask When the road to a white coat at home narrows, where do India’s future doctors turn next?

India once seen as a tea stronghold is emerging as a dynamic market for premium coffee. One brand leveraging this pivot is Costa Coffee. The British coffee house has a strange business arrangement in India. Owned by Coke, its outlets are operated by Pepsi’s biggest Indian bottler. Nevertheless and unfazed by growing competition from premium coffee names like Blue Tokai and Tim Hortons, Costa counts India as one of its top markets and wants to expand its footprint of 200 outlets in the near future. In this episode, Philippe Schaillee, Global CEO at Costa Coffee, talks to host Ratna Bhushan about how the legacy brand is blending tradition with the agility of a startup to win over a new generation of coffee enthusiasts. From Gen Z’s growing appetite for cold brews and flavored options to navigating post-COVID inflation without compromising on quality, Philippe breaks down Costa’s business strategy for a market that is really waking up and smelling the coffee. He sheds light on the company’s city-focused growth strategy, the role of local partnerships, and what sets Costa apart in a fiercely competitive, youth-driven market. Stay tuned in as we explore What makes a coffee experience aspirational today? Can global brands win by going hyper-local? And is India the future powerhouse of the global coffee revolution?