Modi has the Ambition, but the Indian People Need More

There are some uncanny similarities in between Narendra Modi and Barack Obama. Both have risen from humble beginnings, both are charismatic public speakers as well as consummate communicators on social media, both were relative outsiders to the capitals where they now hold the most powerful office, and neither is dependent on their political party for their electoral success. Each has additionally shown an exceptional ability to mobilise savings and human talent to their cause.

But one hopes that this is where similarities will end. Hopefully, Modi will be more successful in reforming the economic and administrative system he has inherited and will be the less divisive figure, politically and socially. To achieve this he will have to behave resolutely and quickly against bigots as well as fringe elements in the Bharatiya Janata Celebration, which he led to a historical victory in the 2014 elections.

Modi has the ambition to transform India, and lead Indians out from poverty and past the middle-income trap to prosperity. He or she holds significant credentials with this task based on his track record in Gujarat, the state that he ran for 12 years as chief minister. But Indian is not Gujarat. It is much more than even the sum of many Gujarats, because of the huge diversity, complexity, and heterogeneity that characterises India. Modi therefore, will need to consciously jettison his Gujarat experience making the transition from as being a CEO to a statesman. He will have to become comfortable with nurturing several CEOs like himself, and increase delegation instead of centralising all motion in his office.

Modi brings complete commitment to office. He has developed a solid reputation as a difficult taskmaster and a person who does not flinch from his chosen path, even when he risks unpopularity and ostracism within his own party. He has a laser-like focus on improving governance and also the delivery of public services. That will bring succour to each investors and the marginalised. He has guaranteed to root out problem at the top. However, he must additionally address ground-level corruption and official harassment, which is the bane of the middle class—his principal assistance base.

Modi has made it amply obvious that the focus of his foreign policy will be India’s neighbours in South Asia. By visiting 16 countries in the first year and decisively upgrading Indo–All of us relations, while also improving upon the status quo with Japan and China, he’s clearly shown a desire in order to secure India’s position around the high table of global governance.

Modi knows that the success of India’s international policy will ultimately be determined by regardless of whether he can put his domestic house in order. We should anticipate him to focus far more on this critical task in the coming period. He also has to spend sufficient attention to strengthening India’s democratic institutions. Modi has an historic chance to take India to brand new heights both domestically as well as globally, and he seems to have the actual talent, skill, passion, as well as ambition to seize this opportunity.

Will Modi guide India to new levels? is republished with permission from East Asia Forum