Narendra Modi’s election manifesto reveals his masterplan for India, says Antonia Filmer

Narendra Modi has become one of the most recognisable faces on the planet, his reach into the global Indian diaspora and his grasp of geopolitics have brought a sea change to India, now also known as Bharat, the ancient Sanskrit name for the subcontinent.

The 2024 election is all about Modi, his face is on every page of the BJP manifesto, and it is branded Modi’s Guarantee.

Throughout the manifesto India is referred to as Bharat, this is an acknowledgement of the transformation that has occurred during the past ten years of Modi’s tenure.

This respect for the ancient civilization of Bharat is key to Modi’s modus operandi, the fact that India’s phenomenal history goes back 5,000 years has been largely overlooked by previous UPA governments and by the West.

PM Modi goes large with Indian culture and traditions, from classical dance/music to Bollywood, to restoring temples and jettisoning British Raj names, preserving and promoting India’s arts and crafts and of course Indian cuisine and festivals, even promoting India as a wedding destination.

This emphasis on cultural diplomacy brings a better understanding to the West and a sense of pride and prosperity to Indians.

Prosperity is what Indians hope for and PM Modi has exponentially improved India’s economic outlook.

India has risen from the 11th to the 5th largest economic power and intends to be the 3rd by 2027, global design and manufacturing as in Make in India, and increased exports have a role to play here.

Civilisational heritage underwrites much of the foreign policy initiatives, Modi’s emergence as a Vishwaguru meaning World Teacher has been taken on board by the Global South, India is trailblazing in keeping the Indo-Pacific free and open, India has rescued all its nationals from troubled zones (Yemen and Ukraine), the Indian Navy anti-piracy rescues have been daring and successful.

Modi’s humanitarian outreach resonates with the Vedic concept of Sanatan Dharma which equates to Hinduism, in a nutshell, this is a universal and eternal code of conduct based on conscience and service, rather than ethnicity or faith; Sanatan Dharma has magnetic appeal to the patriotic population.

The Modi Manifesto reveals that India is a work in progress towards establishing a world-class infrastructure across the country.

Many of the future initiatives listed are a continuum of what has been achieved so far, an infrastructure revolution (metros, new rolling stock, new highways, modernisation of rivers), the digitalisation of almost everything, protections and liberations for women, financial and social reforms.

India is working towards being a global resource and trusted supply partner for food processing; greener manufacturing for steel, cement and metals, defence- aircraft- ship and railway equipment; electronics, semi-conductors, chip and EV manufacturing; textiles and lab-grown diamonds will all provide job opportunities.

India has a very youthful demographic, the working-age population is larger than the non-working-age population, it is a Modi priority to provide job opportunities for this younger generation, particularly in manufacturing, high-value services, and with further investment in infrastructure and tourism.

Modi introduces his manifesto with a Letter to the Nation, which is written in a style that suggests he is both their Leader and their co-worker, it matches his confident oration style in which he identifies closely with the population, and he frequently supplicates their cooperation.

The text is splashed with Modi’s Hindi themes, he lists some of the transformations he has achieved in the past decade and those he guarantees to achieve in the next five years.

The Hindi themes are important as they resonate with the population and the PM is counting on their collaboration to realise the themes.

Viksit Bharat essentially means “Developed India by 2047”, this date is key as it will be the 100th anniversary of independent India, the people Modi is aiming Viksit at are the youth of India, the poor, women and farmers.

The future depends on uplifting these demographics and the JAM trinity has already begun this work.

JAM is an early digital identity scheme of Modi’s to give the poor access to financial services.

Energy security and independence by 2047 will be achieved by mega solar and wind parks/ green hydrogen/ small modular nuclear reactors and bio-energy manufacturing.

Amrit Kaal is the time span and roadmap that will lead India to be fully developed.

While Modi is PM ministries in North Block (Finance and Home) and South Block (PM, Foreign and Defence) will be working towards economic growth, social progress, environmental sustainability and good governance to make India absolutely developed by 2047.

In his Red Fort Independence Day speech in 2021, Modi quoted a poem “Yahi Samay Hai, Sahi Samay Hai”, which roughly translates as India’s time has come, time for India to be a great/global power, this and Modi’s poise on the world stage has empowered the population.

Aatmanirbhar is India’s effort to become self-reliant/sufficient across the board, India wants to be the alternative international supply base across all sectors, medical, defence, infrastructure, agriculture, technology in its broadest sense, and education etc.

These reforms began in 2020 with increased borrowing for states and relaxing regulation on privatisation.

The BJP President and the Defence Secretary also pen a letter to the nation, this time addressing them as Brothers and Sisters, again very inclusive, addressing everyone as part of an Indian family.

Several pages are akin to a self-appraisal listing out in great detail circa 70 schemes and policies that have already hugely benefitted different communities and the nation.

Finally, the guarantees for the next five-year term are listed, starting with providing poor families with quality housing, clean drinking water, LPG connections and free electricity.

Looking after India’s growing middle class by providing quality higher education, accessible healthcare, job opportunities, improving commuter networks, and making safe green spaces.

And some red meat for the middle classes Modi guarantees that India’s honest taxpayers will be “honoured”.

Making life easier for women who want to work, introducing training schemes, childcare centres, extended maternity leave, and help desks, all geared to better equality and dignity.

Every contributing sector to the Indian economy has been recognised and lifted up, start-ups, the elderly, farmers and fishermen, migrant workers, small traders, tribal communities and nomadic tribes, and transgender people all have policies to address their needs, particularly inclusivity and connectivity.

Foreign Policy is not usually a sexy sector for manifestos but in the context of India it is essential, the BJP have ever regretted that Nehru did not accept the UNSC seat that was offered twice to India in 1950 and 1955.

Today it is India’s objective to secure that permanent seat to have greater influence in global decision-making.

Combatting terrorism, activating the India-Middle East Corridor, mineral security, and promoting regional security and stability are part of India’s trajectory under Modi.

India’s sovereign position regarding Israel and the Middle East, Russia and Ukraine, or Taiwan and China are clearly articulated by External Affairs Secretary Dr S. Jaishankar.

India no longer feels obliged to fall in line with its democratic allies’ perspectives.

India’s soft power is going to receive a turbo charge should Modi be re-elected, cultural centres and international alliances will expand across the planet, stolen artefacts will be returned, yoga and ayurvedic healthcare will become internationally regulated, and Lord Ram’s life story will go global.

Following the consecration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya and the transformation of Kashi Vishwanath in Varanasi, it is expected that Krisha Janmabhoomi, Krishna’s birthplace in Mathura will be next in line for restoration.

Defence is another sector not usually high profile but this year all international elections will feature defence budgets.

India appointed the first Chief of Defence Staff in 2021, priorities include accelerating the development of robust infrastructure along the Indo-China, Indo-Pakistan and Indo-Myanmar borders, tackling terrorism and drug trafficking, eliminating left-wing extremism, protecting India’s security interests be it cyber, internet or in the Indian Ocean Region.

Institutional, electoral and judicial reforms, including examining the current six-week election timespan, making one election date a reality and introducing a digital urban land registry are on the cards.

India’s recent successes in sport have opened the door for more government support and the Indian Olympic Association hopes to bid for the Olympics in 2036.

In Modi’s manifesto, no state is treated differently than another, although states do have their own localised manifestos according to their needs, but the central benefits and reforms apply nationwide.

Modi’s manifesto appears to be a strategic plan for the long-term future of Bharat, it is a liberalising practical manifesto while conserving traditional values and it suggests positive schemes that raise Bharat to the top table of the global order.