We are at a moment when the stars have aligned for India, where it finds itself in a geopolitical sweet spot. Despite its economic struggles, India will remain one of the fastest growing major economies, if not the fastest, according to the International Monetary Fund.
Although India failed to unambiguously condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine, that has not really cost it much diplomatic capital. In fact, the west, led by the United States, has rushed in with even more fervour to court India. Furthermore, it is symbolic that this year India has surpassed China as the world's most populous country. It is an important signal to the world of the potential that India's consumer market holds for foreign companies as well as the potential productivity gains India can reap from possessing such a young population. The G20, coming against this backdrop, is in many ways a coming-of-age moment.
Since 2014, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has consistently talked about his desire for India to move from being a balancing power to a leading power. If one follows the arc of the past decade, this G20 summit arrives at a moment where he can arguably make the case that the transition is under way. The 2024 symbolism is not lost on anybody; in some ways, the 2024 election campaign started on December 1, 2022, when India assumed the G20 presidency. It was on that day that every mobile phone customer in India received an SMS declaring that this was a proud moment for the nation. We saw G20 logos projected on to historical monuments. Metros have been lined with G20 paraphernalia. This has all of the hallmarks of an election campaign.
Denne historien er fra September 10, 2023-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
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Denne historien er fra September 10, 2023-utgaven av THE WEEK India.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
Indian-Americans coming together under the Democratic umbrella could get Harris over the line in key battlegrounds
COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
SAHEB LOSES STEAM
Coalition dynamics and poor electoral prospects continue to diminish Ajit Pawar's political stock
