Prime Minister Narendra Modi led his party to a landslide victory in India’s largest state on Saturday, consolidating his power and putting him in a strong position to win re-election in 2019. – New York Times
Indian Finance Minister Arun Jaitley will double up as India's defense minister, replacing the former Ministry of Defence chief Manohar Parrikar, who has been appointed chief minister of his home state of Goa after the March 11 state election. – Defense News
Editorial: [O]nly by undertaking far-reaching deregulation can the [Indian] government meet its goal of expanding manufacturing to 25% of the economy in 2020 from the current 16%. And without that industrial boom, India can’t create jobs for a labor force that adds a million new workers every month. Without bolder action he can’t deliver the opportunities he promised. – Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
Sadanand Dhume writes: So far the prime minister has proceeded cautiously on economic reforms. His win in Uttar Pradesh gives him the capacity to act more boldly on controversial but sensible policies such as privatizing loss-making state owned firms, easing restrictive labor laws and slashing food and fuel subsidies. However, if Mr. Modi’s tepid approach to reforms has not hurt him electorally, he has little incentive to suddenly do things any differently. If nothing much changes, you can thank the people of Uttar Pradesh. – Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
Daniel Twining writes: In short, India’s economy is strong; its democracy is thriving, if still somewhat chaotic; it is ramping up foreign engagement while other countries retreat into narrow nationalisms; and it increasingly champions key pillars of the liberal world order. This is happening at the same time as economic anxieties in Europe and the United States are mounting, producing an insurgent populism that challenges democratic institutions, risks hollowing out multilateral cooperation, and undercuts support for the rules-based global order. It would be ironic if the West steps back from global economic and political leadership at a time when India is ready to step forward as a partner in underwriting international security and prosperity. – Foreign Policy’s Elephants in the Room
Editorial: [O]nly by undertaking far-reaching deregulation can the [Indian] government meet its goal of expanding manufacturing to 25% of the economy in 2020 from the current 16%. And without that industrial boom, India can’t create jobs for a labor force that adds a million new workers every month. Without bolder action he can’t deliver the opportunities he promised. – Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
Sadanand Dhume writes: So far the prime minister has proceeded cautiously on economic reforms. His win in Uttar Pradesh gives him the capacity to act more boldly on controversial but sensible policies such as privatizing loss-making state owned firms, easing restrictive labor laws and slashing food and fuel subsidies. However, if Mr. Modi’s tepid approach to reforms has not hurt him electorally, he has little incentive to suddenly do things any differently. If nothing much changes, you can thank the people of Uttar Pradesh. – Wall Street Journal (subscription required)
Daniel Twining writes: In short, India’s economy is strong; its democracy is thriving, if still somewhat chaotic; it is ramping up foreign engagement while other countries retreat into narrow nationalisms; and it increasingly champions key pillars of the liberal world order. This is happening at the same time as economic anxieties in Europe and the United States are mounting, producing an insurgent populism that challenges democratic institutions, risks hollowing out multilateral cooperation, and undercuts support for the rules-based global order. It would be ironic if the West steps back from global economic and political leadership at a time when India is ready to step forward as a partner in underwriting international security and prosperity. – Foreign Policy’s Elephants in the Room
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