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Source: Getty

In The Media

Scaling Down Expectations From Government

The opportune moment for Modi to create major political and economic change may have already passed.

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By Milan Vaishnav
Published on Mar 11, 2016
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The South Asia Program informs policy debates relating to the region’s security, economy, and political development. From strategic competition in the Indo-Pacific to India’s internal dynamics and U.S. engagement with the region, the program offers in-depth, rigorous research and analysis on South Asia’s most critical challenges.

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Source: Bloomberg TV India

Speaking on Bloomberg TV India, Carnegie’s Milan Vaishnav argued that expectations for the Modi government need to be toned down. He explained that the opportune moment for Modi to create major political and economic change has basically passed. Modi has failed to use the ‘bully pulpit’ to contain nationalist distractions and lobby for economic transformation. As a result, Vaishnav said, voters, investors, commentators are recalibrating expectations about the government’s ability and willingness to create change.

Going forward, Vaishnav argued that Modi must more aggressively make the case to the rural poor that pro-market and pro-poor reforms are “two sides of the same coin”. He added that right now, the global economy is uniquely favorable to India’s efforts. He pointed out that oil is $30 per barrel, adding that real reform will be much harder if it rises to $100 per barrel.

Watch the broadcast on Bloomberg TV India.

About the Author

Milan Vaishnav

Director and Senior Fellow, South Asia Program

Milan Vaishnav is a senior fellow and director of the South Asia Program and the host of the Grand Tamasha podcast at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. His primary research focus is the political economy of India, and he examines issues such as corruption and governance, state capacity, federalism, and electoral behavior. He also conducts research on the Indian diaspora.

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Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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