Mr Modi has taken world leaders along with his robust and sharp international diplomacy. Some of them clearly are in awe of him. India is a nation whose days of getting arm-twisted are long gone. The Indian diaspora around the planet gets more respect than it ever did before. Mr Modi’s greater understanding of global politics also makes him a decisive leader. He knows well how to strategize in the distant shores of the Pacific, promote India’s soft power and yoga, and hold his audiences in thrall at world summits. He’s equally quick to tell the world that the country will show zero tolerance for terrorism—and its perpetrators have felt the surgical precision of his words more than just once. He fits in with Plato’s definition of philosopher-king, spiritually inclined with a great feel and understanding of India’s ancient wisdom. No wonder he’s chosen Varanasi, one of the world’s continuously inhabited oldest cities, as the point from where he’s launched himself into national politics and has engaged, as frequently as he can, with the sages this land has produced.

Mr Modi’s second innings as Prime Minister promises that bigger things are to come. India’s economy would become much larger. It will launch many more satellites into space. Millions more would move out of poverty. More households will have electricity and cooking gas and bank accounts. India may even become cleaner than ever before. The world community is hopeful. As is the common man in India. Sayantan Chakravarty’s stories featured in Best of Indian Express of 25 years and Best of India Today’s 25 years. 

(sayantanc@gmail.com)