Tag: narendra-modi

What will a third term for Indian PM Narendra Modi mean for India and the world?

 INTO INDIA had three big reactions to the Indian elections:

1) Democracy is alive and well in India; 650 million votes cast over a 6 week election process – truly a remarkably strong democracy!

2) Indians want jobs, jobs, and jobs; this is why manufacturing has become so central to India’s economy – the swing away from the ruling BJP suggests PM Modi has to do more on jobs.

3) the Indian voter will expect the government to keep growing the economy – and show why that is a benefit for all Indians.

The only other Indian Prime Minister to win three five-year terms was the first – PM Nehru.

This has been a much closer election than predicted – and probably has given the ruling BJP and PM Modi much to think about. Of course, INTO INDIA notes that long term office holders generally face an anti-incumbency mood.

Congrats to Indian PM Narendra Modi – we have always called him ACTION MAN and in his third term he will need to maintain the action.

We expect a big focus this term on manufacturing, physical infrastructure, digital infrastructure and energy transition.

What’s in a name? Is it “India” or “Bharat”?

What’s in a name? India or Bharat?

Many commentators believe Indian PM Modi will bring on a change of India’s name to Bharat. INTO INDIA thinks this most unlikely.

Modi will win either way, vote or no.

PM Modi will, in a very Indian way, continue to use the two names side by side.

You see, things do not have to be resolved in India – and both sides can have their day. Ambiguity and paradox are part of Indian culture.

“Bharat” is the Hindu name for the country, so PM Modi appeals to Hindus every time he uses it – such as on menus and nameplates at the recent G20 meeting he hosted in New Delhi last September.

Many attendees thought this a signal that a name change was on the cards for India. Wrong. Just by using both, he continues to create distance between the nation and its colonial past.

Bharat is already a name recognised in India’s constitution.

With India voting in a general election in March and April, we will no doubt see more banners displaying Bharat.

PM Modi knows that getting a name change done is a tough call, requiring a constitutional amendment with a two-thirds majority in both houses of parliament.

So, when it comes to a name, two is better than one. India and Bharat.