Whatever Modi said in his Independence Day speech, the Manipur carnage against ethnic Christian minority questions New Delhi’s claim of being a great power adhering to the tenets of democracy and ensuring peace. While expressing optimism about the future of his country, Modi said, “We are fortunate that we have inherited certain things from our ancestors and even the present era has created certain other things. Third, Modi’s confidence in his vision of lifting India as the world’s number one economic power by 2047 has support from his party stalwarts who see him as a catalytic force. The surge of Hindu fanaticism and growing authoritarianism in governance matters clearly indicates the gaps that exist in his vision of turning India great and the reality on ground. That is a major impediment to India translating its vision of becoming a major world power into reality.

Source: The Express Tribune August 22, 2023 17:00 UTC