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Bulletin
We know what to expect from your third term.
By Amélia Nierenberg
Narendra Modi has just been re-elected Prime Minister of India, albeit by a much narrower margin than expected. With his third consecutive term, the charismatic strongman has cemented his position as the country’s top leader in generations.
Despite ruling India for a decade, Modi has, in some ways, left his country wondering about his vision. As for the main issues – India’s relations, its economy, its society and its government – it is still unclear what kind of country Modi India is going to be. be.
In today’s newsletter, I’ll address 4 of the big questions.
Where will India’s friends be?
India has spent the past few years deepening its relations with the United States. He has reached out to U. S. allies, adding Japan and Australia, and has ordered high-end U. S. weapons systems, the kind that are addictive for the future. to side with China. In 2020, Chinese troops entered Indian-controlled territory and killed 20 infantrymen in a skirmish. Since then, Modi has kept Beijing at bay.
But Modi, 73, has indicated he doesn’t need to be America’s best friend. Some officials around him continue to view the United States with suspicion. Diplomats complain about New Delhi’s blatant efforts to erode democratic norms and the rights of minority groups. India keeps its characteristics open. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the United States tried in vain to convince India to take an anti-war stance. India continues to buy Russian oil (to fill the gap created by foreign sanctions). It still buys weapons from Russia.
India took advantage of the Cold War to position itself as a non-aligned power. Old behaviors hardly go away.
What kind of savings?
India has recently overtaken China as the most populous country and the fastest-growing primary economy. However, most of the country remains poor. Some 800 million people want to fill their stomachs. Modi’s ideas on how to do this can be contradictory, both global and protectionist.
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