Indian PM Modi's Third Term in Office: Yet Another Trail for Regional Instability

When India escorts in yet another term of Modi’s leadership, it is hard not to be enthralled by the stability he brings, which actually means more instability in the region. There is no need for peace when there is the potential for a significant increase in hostility and violence.

For many people, Modi’s charisma cannot be denied. He was able to sell his vision of a flourishing India to millions of people and his oratory talents were so impressive that they could sell ice to an Eskimo. An entire nation that is enthralled by his assurances of a prosperous future in which cows are revered and the history is rewritten to shine more brightly than it ever has before.

Bullet trains and digital revolutions are two things that everyone would like. Modi painted a picture that was so astonishingly lovely that even those who were skeptical started to believe in fairy tales and unicorns. The common man saw hope and PM Modi saw votes. A match made in electoral heaven.

It was like riding a rollercoaster during Modi’s first two terms in office; there were exhilarating highs and stomach-churning lows. Have you heard of demonetization? A strategy that was so audacious that it caused millions of people to scramble for cash while ostensibly working to limit black money.

Let us not overlook the social fabric of India, which is currently more fractured than a group of friends from high school. Minorities were left with the impression that they were unwanted guests at a party because of policies that favoured the majority. Intolerant attitudes toward religion and social unrest? Just side effects of a grand vision, apparently.

The re-election of Modi was like seeing a sequel that you were certain would be terrible, but you persisted in watching it anyhow. Aside from allegations of foul play and manipulation of the media, the individual was successful in securing his third term. Democracy in action, folks.

Barely had the ink dried on the ballots when I noticed that there were indications of unrest. Across the country, there was a widespread feeling of disquiet, as well as demonstrations and riots. In the pursuit of greatness, however, what is the harm in a little bit of chaos?

When it comes to foreign policy, Modi’s approach is a textbook example of how to make friends and influence people to dislike you. There have been times when relations with Pakistan, China and even Nepal have been good. Now, the regional tension is so thick you could not cut it with a knife. Leaders of Indian congress party besides, wise voices within India repeatedly termed the ongoing religious violence and communal tensions as something really worrisome not only for India but for the region as well. It is an open secret now that Indian Muslims and low caste Hindus remained the targets of many attacks by Hindu extremists throughout the rule of PM Modi.

As a result of Modi’s leadership, hate crimes have reached the same level of frequency as monsoons. Just another day’s worth of headlines might include things like lynchings, mob violence and religious persecution. Indeed, it is almost as if the concept of unity is a foreign concept.

Speaking of unity, try to protest against the policies that Modi has implemented and see how far you get. Opponents, media fraternity, human rights activists and all other with sane voices face a salvo of legal fixes or worse. Free speech? More like free to agree.

India under Modi, walks the thin line between democracy and dictatorship, the international community watches with a concoction of fear and allure. When it comes to direct intervention, diplomatic circles are buzzing with worry. It’s a bridge that’s too far down.

Those that invest globally are wary. Markets have become uneasy as a result of economic policies that prioritize home sectors over opportunities for international cooperation. It appears that the promise of an economic superpower is more like a house of cards than anything else.

What can we expect from the future? Is it going to be worse or more of the same? The range of predictions includes both a growth in authoritarianism and the possibility of civil disturbance. However, the reality appears to favor the status quo, despite the fact that optimists wish for change.

Hope can never be dismissed. It is possible that Modi would adopt a strategy that is more inclusive. Perhaps in the future, the electorate will demand better. Or perhaps, just possibly, another somebody will emerge to question the current order of things. It is possible for a nation to dream.

As Prime Minister of India, Modi’s third term is a textbook example of how to destabilize a region. India’s golden future appears to be a distant dream in light of the rising hatred and violence in the country. Instability in the region? Not a big deal. Here’s to more years of thrilling unpredictability under Modi’s watch. Cheers!