Sadanand Dhume, a Wall Street Journal columnist and expert on Indian politics, joins to unpack the complexities of contemporary India. Topics include the powerful rise of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its impact on Hindu nationalism. They discuss Prime Minister Modi's economic strategies, addressing milestones and challenges like public sanitation. Dhume also examines the state of Indian democracy and tensions with Canada over the Sikh separatist movement. Their insights shed light on the intricate dance between conservatism, liberalism, and global relations.

Join Jonah Goldberg as he welcomes Sadanand Dhume, a WSJ columnist and AEI fellow, to discuss India's progress, religious demographics, and the complexities of the caste system. They delve into Modi's political landscape, the Indian diaspora's perceptions, and the future of US-India relations, including ties with Israel.

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/todayexplainedSupport Today, Explained by making a financial contribution to Vox! bit.ly/givepodcasts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices