India recently overtook China to become the world's most populous nation. It has more than 1.4 billion people and a rapidly growing economy. But it also has a long disputed boundary with China, which is seen by Washington as its main rival. There was violence on that border three years ago in 2020, which claimed the lives of 20 Indian soldiers and at least four Chinese soldiers. Both sides have increased their military presence in recent months amid tension over who owns what land.
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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