Plain English with Derek Thompson What Kind of a Superpower Is India Becoming?
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Apr 23, 2024 Ravi Agrawal, editor-in-chief of Foreign Policy magazine, dives deep into India's shifting political landscape under Prime Minister Modi. He highlights India's rise as the world's most populous nation and its implications for global dynamics. The discussion reveals the surge of Hindu nationalism and its contrast with India’s historical values. Agrawal also examines the legacy of past violence, the rapid digital transformation, and the growing pains of democracy amid a flourishing digital economy. This multifaceted analysis paints a vivid picture of a nation in flux.
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India's Demographic Destiny
- India's future is intertwined with the world's future due to its projected population growth.
- India is set to become the most populous country, exceeding China and Nigeria combined by 2100.
Old Idea of India
- India's initial, post-independence identity was progressive, liberal, and secular, uniting diverse linguistic and cultural groups.
- This vision aimed to create an inclusive nation, contrasting with Pakistan's Muslim homeland identity.
Contrasting Leaders
- Nehru, India's first prime minister, was Anglicized and Cambridge-educated, embodying the initial ideal.
- Modi's upbringing contrasts sharply; he comes from a lower-caste, Hindi-speaking background with RSS ties.
