Namaste HDF,
So, I made it to New York City and back all in the same weekend, and all I got was this lousy t-shirt.
All joking aside, I want to deliver my report on the speech India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave to everyone at New York City's Madison Square Garden. To say the speech was interesting to me would be a gross understatement. I may not be Indian, but that doesn't mean I can't care.
To keep this readable, I want to highlight some key points from his speech.
- Modi's primary emphasis of his government was that of LESS governance. He definitely seems to take a "less is more" approach to government, and has highlighted not how much he expanded government, but cut it back, in ways such as nullifying laws, and getting rid of so-called red tape to make government processes more streamlined.
- I got the impression that Modi was definitely pro-capitalist. He mentioned trying to get manufacturing companies to invest in India, going so far as to start a "Make in India" campaign to promote manufacturing companies setting up shop in India, and of course giving Indians jobs. He kept mentioning the young (as in 19-35 age range) workforce as being a key element in making India productive, and therefore prosperous.
- This goes without saying, but Modi was definitely emphasizing the patriotism of India. This isn't a bad thing (necessarily) but alongside the other two things I mentioned (and probably some I forgot), this is interesting for reasons I'll get to...
Now, there is something that I personally believe these points all have in common. What is that? Drum roll please...
Here in the United States of America, having these similar viewpoints but from the American standpoint would get you pigeonholed as a party-line Republican. And I know how much the rest of the world hates American party-line Republican politicians. So to see these qualities in a leader such as Narendra Modi really blew my mind right in front of my face. The reason for my mind being blown is because, well, as a progressive American I rarely, if ever, thought that government strategies classified as "conservative" in the USA would work elsewhere. And most people in India seem genuinely happy with the philosophy of Modi and his government. Not everyone is happy, of course, but it's impossible for any politician, Modi included, to please everyone.
Maybe this is why Modi has been referred to as the Reagan of India?
Anyway, please let me know what you think of my analysis. Agree or disagree, I'd love to know what you think. Just be gentle.
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