In 1947 when India becomes independent from the British Empire, it immediately forms a constitutional democracy that is universal suffrage in a very poor country with large amounts of illiteracy. Irfan Nuredon teaches at Georgetown's School of Foreign Service. "At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom"
Despite US concerns over the decline of Indian democracy and human rights, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is getting a prestigious state dinner from the Biden administration. Sadanand Dhume and Irfan Nooruddin explain.
This episode was produced by Haleema Shah, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, engineered by Michael Raphael, and hosted by Noel King.
Transcript at vox.com/todayexplained
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