12 years later, a stronger state, but a more contested republic

Twelve years after Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, promising ‘minimum government, maximum governance’, India stands transformed. The transformation is real. Some of it is also troubling.
The economy is stronger. India grew by a remarkable 7.7% in 2025-26 despite Trump’s tariffs and the Iran war. It has overtaken Japan to become the world’s fourth-largest economy.