My old school, Fulneck Boys’ School had a motto: in important things, unity; in unimportant things, liberty; in all things, charity.
The American political system has a rule, you do not criticise the President when he is abroad. For the record I am not a BJP supporter. I am a British national and do not support foreign political parties. I just call it the way I see it. Same goes for American politics. I am neither a Republican or Democrat supporter. I am proud of my Indian heritage and my British nationality.
So anyway I was disturbed to hear the leader of the Indian opposition trashing India and sounding as if he is fearful to return to India for his own safety and cannot speak freely there. To trash a nation which is half yours, (he’s half Italian), whilst the Italian and Indian PMs meet seemed odd timing.
India, as one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, has set ambitious plans for 2023. The government of India aims to achieve a $5 trillion economy by 2025, and to achieve this goal, several initiatives have been taken to boost economic growth and development.
One of the key focus areas is infrastructure development. The government has laid out a long-term plan to invest heavily in building roads, railways, airports, and ports. It is expected that this investment will not only improve connectivity within the country but also create job opportunities and boost economic growth.
The government is also taking steps to promote digitalization and modernization across various sectors. The Digital India initiative aims to provide access to digital infrastructure, services, and applications to all citizens. The focus is on building a digitally empowered society that can leverage technology for economic growth.
In addition to these initiatives, the government is also taking measures to promote entrepreneurship and innovation. The Start-up India initiative aims to create a favorable environment for start-ups and promote entrepreneurship. The objective is to foster innovation and create job opportunities.
According to a report by the World Bank, India's GDP is expected to grow at 7.5% in 2023. This projection is based on the assumption that the country will continue to implement structural reforms, increase investment in infrastructure, and improve its business climate.
The report states that India is one of the fastest-growing major economies in the world and has the potential to become a high-middle-income country in the coming years. However, there are some challenges that need to be addressed, such as improving the quality of education, reducing the gender gap in the labor force, and improving the ease of doing business.
Another report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects that India's GDP will grow at 8.5% in 2023. The report states that India's growth prospects are favorable due to its young and growing population, increasing urbanization, and rising middle class. The IMF also highlights the need for India to continue with structural reforms, such as improving the ease of doing business, strengthening the banking sector, and addressing corporate debt.
I refuse to lie about the conditions of a country for political gain. I was once on the BBC on a discussion about Scottish Independence where a Scotswoman described the brutal conditions in Scotland being ruled by the English. I responded, “I’ve been to Scotland, it’s not as bad as you are describing.” Nigel Lawson who was on the panel with me, later told me he liked my comment. You see in politics, don’t try to fool the people and overstate your case. Otherwise you’re not ready.
