EDITORIAL | Modi Gets 3rd Term as India Holds Key to Global Stability

The ballots have been counted in India's general election. Compared to the last election in 2019, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of Prime Minister Narendra Modi lost many seats. It fell short of gaining a majority, but nevertheless emerged victorious as a ruling coalition. 

Modi thus became the first prime minister since Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first PM, to win three consecutive terms. On the domestic front, no doubt he will have to work hard to deal with the issue of economic disparities and promote harmony with the large Muslim minority. 

Nonetheless, clearly the time has come for India to develop new diplomatic and national security policies.

Democracy, the Basis of Its Success

During Modi's time in office, India has achieved considerable economic growth. Within the next few years, it is expected to have the third-largest GDP in the world. Already, India has surpassed China to become the most populous nation. It also is a nuclear power outside the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty regime.

Since its independence in 1947, India has stuck to a course of non-aligned neutrality. Even today, India continues to pursue an omnidirectional diplomatic strategy vis-à-vis the global powers. Nonetheless, India itself has become a major global party in reality as well as in name. We would like to see it change the diplomatic approach it has followed up to now. 

After the election results became known, Modi declared, "This is a victory for the world's largest democracy." Since he takes pride in that, his government should adopt a diplomatic approach appropriate for the world's largest democracy. That would mean becoming a full-fledged defender of an international order based on freedom, democracy, and the rule of law. After all, India's remarkable growth is the result of its commitment to freedom and democracy. 

India refers to itself as a leader of the "Global South," comprised of emerging and developing countries. It is certainly appropriate for India to speak out on behalf of emerging and developing countries. But, at the same time, we would like to see it act more as a mediator with the developed countries, rather than often opposing them just for the sake of opposing them. 

Countering Aggression and Hegemony

With China seeking to establish hegemony in the region, India needs to become increasingly aware that it, too, is a major power in the Indo-Pacific region. It is also a member of the "Quad," the cooperative framework bringing together Japan, the US, Australia, and India. As a member, it should proactively advance security cooperation with the aim of ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific. In fact, depending on the direction it takes, India holds the key to global stability. 

India continues to maintain friendly ties with Russia despite its ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Furthermore, it has distanced itself from sanctions designed to punish Moscow for its aggression. However, to help safeguard the international order, Prime Minister Modi should firmly oppose Russian aggression and participate in those sanctions. 

Japan should also continue to build friendly economic, diplomatic, and security ties with India. Their relationship is important for defending a free and open Indo-Pacific. In turn, their relationship should further promote deterrence of China. 

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(Read the editorial in Japanese.)

Author: Editorial Board, The Sankei Shimbun