Karishma Vaswani: The Voice of Asia’s Changing Story
Karishma Vaswani is a renowned journalist, columnist, anchor, and international correspondent whose career spans over two decades across Asia. Based in Singapore, she is currently the Asia Politics Columnist and Commentator for Bloomberg Opinion, where she provides insightful analyses of geopolitics, business, and technology. Formerly the BBC’s Chief Asia Presenter, Vaswani has covered some of the most significant stories in the region and interviewed some of the world’s most influential leaders. Her journalistic journey reflects a blend of analytical depth, storytelling finesse, and commitment to global understanding.
Early Life and Education
Born and raised in Asia, Karishma Vaswani spent her formative years immersed in multicultural environments. She attended the Jakarta International School, earning her International Baccalaureate and High School Diploma in 1995. Her academic curiosity and love for literature led her to the University of Warwick, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in English and American Literature in 1998. Her literary background shaped her ability to weave complex narratives into clear, compelling stories — a hallmark of her journalism today.
The Start of a Distinguished Journalism Career
From CNBC to BBC: A Rising Talent
Karishma Vaswani began her career as an Assistant Producer at CNBC Asia (2000–2003), where she developed her expertise in business and financial news. Her sharp analytical abilities and confident storytelling quickly brought her to the attention of major international networks.
In 2003, she joined the BBC as a Reporter for Asia Business Report and World Business Report in Singapore. This marked the beginning of an illustrious 18-year tenure with the BBC that would define her reputation as one of Asia’s most trusted broadcast journalists.
Career at BBC News
BBC India and Indonesia Correspondent
Between 2005 and 2009, Karishma Vaswani served as the Mumbai Correspondent and the first presenter of “India Business Report”, the BBC World News programme dedicated to exploring India’s growing economic influence. She was the first Mumbai-based business correspondent to report for BBC World News, covering both economic and general news stories from the subcontinent.
Her success in India led to a new chapter as the BBC’s Indonesia Editor and Correspondent (2009–2015). Based in Jakarta, she reported extensively across Southeast Asia — from Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar to Vietnam and East Timor. Her reports from the field reflected her ability to connect political, economic, and human stories, offering audiences a nuanced view of Asia’s transformation.
BBC Asia Business Correspondent and Chief Asia Presenter
From 2015 to 2021, Vaswani became the BBC’s Asia Business Correspondent, travelling from Kazakhstan to Australia. She interviewed leading figures in global technology and politics, including Eric Schmidt (Google), Cheng Wei (Didi Chuxing), and Vijay Shekhar Sharma (Paytm).
In 2021, she was promoted to Chief Asia Presenter, anchoring the BBC’s flagship news and business programmes from Singapore. Her coverage combined breaking news with thoughtful analysis, often focusing on how Asia’s economic rise was reshaping world politics.
Transition to Bloomberg Opinion
In August 2023, Karishma Vaswani joined Bloomberg Opinion as the Asia Politics Columnist and Commentator. Her role involves analysing Asia’s geopolitical dynamics, with a focus on the complex relationship between the United States and China and its consequences for global trade, technology, and diplomacy.
Her columns and commentaries explore pressing themes such as:
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China’s growing influence in regional politics and economics.
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US–Asia relations, including security and trade policy.
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Technology and innovation as drivers of global competition.
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Sustainability and leadership in a changing business environment.
Through her insightful writing and on-air appearances, Vaswani continues to illuminate how decisions in Beijing, Washington, and across Asia affect the rest of the world.
Notable Interviews and Global Coverage
Conversations with Leaders
Throughout her career, Karishma Vaswani has interviewed numerous world leaders and industry pioneers. Among her most notable interviews are:
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Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister of New Zealand
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Joko Widodo, President of Indonesia
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Lee Hsien Loong, Prime Minister of Singapore
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Ren Zhengfei, CEO of Huawei
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Siaosi Sovaleni, Prime Minister of Tonga
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The late Lee Kuan Yew, Founding Father and first Prime Minister of Singapore
Each of these conversations reflects her ability to blend journalistic rigour with empathy — encouraging thoughtful, revealing dialogue rather than soundbites.
Awards and Recognition
Karishma Vaswani’s excellence in journalism has been acknowledged with multiple awards and honours:
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🏆 Global Women in News BBC Inspirational Female Employee Honour (2023) — recognising her influence and leadership within global media.
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🏆 Best News Show Award for Newsday at the Asian Creative Academy Awards (2022) — BBC’s flagship programme from Singapore.
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🏆 National Award for Best Current Affairs Programme (2020, Indonesia) for her documentary Joko Widodo: Reformer Turned Pragmatist.
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🏆 Best News Report (2020, Singapore) for her coverage of migrant workers’ conditions during the pandemic.
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🏆 National Award (2019, China) for Asia’s Tech Titans: Huawei.
Her consistent excellence has positioned her among the most respected journalists in the Asia-Pacific region.
Personal Philosophy and Presence
Storytelling and Humanity
Beyond headlines and geopolitics, Karishma Vaswani views journalism as a tool for empathy and connection. On her Instagram (@karishmajourno), she describes herself as a “Journalist, story-teller, columnist, broadcaster. Trying to raise good humans. We’re all just figuring it out, so why not be kind along the way?”
This personal reflection mirrors her professional integrity: she believes that thoughtful journalism can both inform and inspire.
Public Engagement
Vaswani is a frequent conference chair, keynote speaker, moderator, and host, known for guiding global discussions on:
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Technology and AI in society
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Geopolitics and global business
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Sustainability and leadership
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Diversity, equity, and inclusion in media and corporate leadership
Her presentations are marked by intellectual depth, cultural sensitivity, and the ability to connect audiences across backgrounds — qualities that make her a sought-after moderator at major international events.
Influence and Legacy
Championing Asian Perspectives
Throughout her career, Karishma Vaswani has worked to ensure that Asia’s voices and perspectives are heard globally. From covering Indonesia’s democratic transitions to analysing China’s evolving foreign policy, she captures the diversity and complexity of the world’s most dynamic region.
Advocating for Women in Media
As a role model for aspiring journalists, especially women in Asia, Vaswani advocates for inclusion and equal opportunity in global newsrooms. Her selection as one of the BBC’s Global Women in News Inspirational Female Employees underscores her commitment to empowering women in journalism.
Conclusion
Karishma Vaswani stands as one of Asia’s most influential journalistic voices — a bridge between East and West, business and politics, technology and humanity. Her distinguished career from BBC to Bloomberg, her thought-provoking commentary, and her dedication to ethical storytelling make her an enduring figure in international media.
With her deep knowledge of Asian geopolitics, her passion for technology and sustainability, and her belief in kindness and understanding, Karishma Vaswani continues to shape how the world perceives Asia — not just as a region of growth, but as a region of stories, people, and ideas that matter.
FAQs
1. Who is Karishma Vaswani?
Karishma Vaswani is a Singapore-based journalist and columnist, currently serving as Asia Politics Columnist at Bloomberg Opinion and formerly the BBC’s Chief Asia Presenter.
2. What is Karishma Vaswani known for?
She is known for her in-depth analysis of Asia’s geopolitics, especially US–China relations, and for interviewing global leaders such as Jacinda Ardern and Lee Hsien Loong.
3. Where did Karishma Vaswani study?
She graduated from the University of Warwick with a BA (Hons) in English and American Literature and completed her schooling at Jakarta International School.
4. What awards has Karishma Vaswani received?
She has won multiple honours, including the Global Women in News BBC Inspirational Female Employee Award (2023) and several Asian Academy Creative Awards for news and current-affairs programmes.
5. Where can people follow Karishma Vaswani online?
She’s active on X (@KarishmaJourno) and Instagram (@karishmajourno), where she shares her insights on politics, technology, leadership, and sustainability.
6. What is the origin of Karishma Vaswani?
Karishma Vaswani is of Indian heritage, born and raised in Indonesia, where she attended the Jakarta International School. Her multicultural upbringing across Indonesia, India, and Singapore, combined with her education in the United Kingdom, shaped her global outlook and reporting style.
