India faces its most dangerous decade while Modi is wasting his political capital on elections

By Admin

16 Jun, 2025

As India enters a period of deep geopolitical and economic uncertainty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi must confront a pivotal question: What is the use of all my prestige and political capital if it ultimately does not get things done for the country?

The world is rapidly becoming more unstable. The China-Pakistan axis poses a greater revisionist threat than ever, and Bangladesh  post-elections  might align covertly or overtly with this anti-India bloc. Russia remains trapped in China’s grip due to the Ukraine war, and the US under Donald Trump’s polarised and transactional leadership is unlikely to be a dependable ally. In West Asia, rising Iran-Israel tensions have made the region a volatile cauldron of religious and political animosities.

A Decade of Vulnerability

India is entering its most dangerous decade yet  with limited support from global superpowers. Unlike post-war Europe, Japan, or the Asian Tigers, India won’t be aided by Western alliances. Worse, both China and the US may try to hinder India’s ascent. Until India becomes a $10 trillion economy with strong job creation, we will remain vulnerable internally and externally  a milestone that could take over a decade to achieve even in ideal conditions.

India’s defence development  though progressing  isn’t fast enough. Advanced combat aircraft like the AMCA or nuclear submarines may take a decade to materialize. Meanwhile, China is arming Pakistan at breakneck speed, leaving us exposed in the short term.

The Missing Political Will

But this is not just about external threats. India’s internal divisions  driven more by ego clashes than policy  are obstructing reforms. The Modi-Rahul Gandhi standoff is emblematic of this dysfunction. Ironically, many Congress-era schemes like Aadhaar and DBT have continued under Modi with tweaks. And yet, a consensus-based approach to governance remains elusive.

India needs sweeping reforms  in defence, agriculture, land and labour laws, and a justice system that is both slow and increasingly inadequate. These are not economic reforms alone; they are national security imperatives. But without political consensus, they will stall as parties chase short-term electoral wins through populist freebies. Calling the opposition “anti-national” only deepens the divide.

Where Is the Reform Agenda?

Since reversing the farm laws and delaying the CAA rollout, Modi’s second term has seen a retreat from reform. Privatisation  the so-called “P word”  has vanished from political vocabulary. Beyond Air India’s sale, little has moved. Even BJP-ruled states seem reluctant to bite the reform bullet. Modi’s towering political image might ironically be discouraging reform-minded governance, as his lieutenants focus more on appeasing him than initiating tough changes.

Building Consensus: The Modi Mandate

True leadership demands more than winning elections. Modi must now spend his political capital wisely  by leading from the front in creating national consensus. A symbolic example was the recent all-party delegations sent abroad post-Operation Sindoor. Despite internal objections, the inclusion of Shashi Tharoor demonstrated a mature approach  one that must become the norm, not the exception.

The Prime Minister must personally engage with the opposition  not avoid all-party meetings or delegate crucial interactions. His political stature gives him a unique opportunity to unify the country’s political discourse.

India doesn’t need “double-engine” governments; it needs a three-engine model  central, state, and local leaderships firing together. That will require Modi to empower his second-tier leaders and decentralize both political and administrative control. Managing urban growth, streamlining subsidies, fixing judicial delays, and updating labour laws can’t be micromanaged from Delhi.

Leadership in a Time of Turbulence

With China growing more aggressive, economic uncertainties looming, and domestic pressures mounting, Modi must focus not just on elections, but on nation-building. This is not the time for campaigns; it is the time for consensus. A distracted Prime Minister risks India missing its growth window.

The path forward is clear: devolve power, drive reforms, and forge unity across party lines. India’s most dangerous decade demands a leader who engages threats  not avoids them through political maneuvering.

Modi’s 56-inch chest must now reveal an open heart  to unify, to reform, and to truly lead.