This week on NL Hafta, Newslaundry’s Abhinandan Sekhri, Manisha Pande, Raman Kirpal and Jayashree Arunachalam are joined by Suhasini Haidar, diplomatic affairs editor of the Hindu.

The discussion starts with Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, India’s stance, and responses in terms of foreign policy. Suhasini explains the various sanctions being imposed on Russia and suggests that the world may “be divided into two parts, the dollar- and non-dollar transactions, after this war”.

The panel then talks about the Karnataka High Court ruling that the hijab is not an essential religious practice in Islam, and discusses whether a court should be allowed to decide someone’s faith.

The conversation also spans the future of the Congress party in India, and what role the Gandhis will play.

Listen.

Hafta letters: Money factor in elections, caste issues in Goa, NL’s website changes