Aadhaar biometric identity scheme, 56, 83–86, 285
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), 119
Abdullah, Omar, 98
abortion of female babies, 136–137, 145
Afghanistan, 182–183, 206–207, 209
Aggarwal, Bhavish, 82
agriculture
effect of climate change on, 161–162
improving air quality, 159
increasing stability and economic growth, 12–13
lack of growth under Singh, 44–45
supplemental incomes for farmers, 16
urbanization causing decline of, 3–4
Ai Weiwei, 193
air quality, 157–160, 162–163, 204
Ambani, Mukesh, 54, 94, 119, 272
Ambedkar, Bhimrao Ramji, 118, 225
apprentice programs, 69
The Argumentative Indian (Sen), 20–22
authoritarianism, 34, 91–92, 228
automotive industry, 34–35, 65–66, 82
Ayutthaya kingdom, 190
Bajpai, Kanti Prasad, 193
Bakshi, Shakeel Ahmad, 269
Bansal, Sachin, 81
Bass, Gary, 206
Bhagwati, Jagdish, 23–24, 26, 51
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), 40–41
anti-corruption activism, 111
changes in voter behavior, 135
creeping intolerance, 273
dynastic politics, 101
election bribes, 127
Hindu nationalist support, 240
India–Pakistan relations, 169
industrial growth, 63
massacres by Hindu extremists, 246
mixed economic progress, 58
Modi’s rival factions within, 236
mystical science, 78
political gains over time, 281
role of RSS in guiding, 232–233
See also Modi, Narendra
Bhutan, 195
Bhutto family, 95
bin Laden, Osama, 181–182, 184, 209
“black money,” 49–51, 117, 128
Bollywood, 112, 179, 191, 252, 281
Britain, 154, 206, 211. See also colonial rule
Buddhism, 189. See also religion
business sector
economic growth through investment, 34–36
geographical distribution of wealth, 60–61
incentives for adopting new technology, 81–82
Modi’s economic liberalization, 58
Modi’s pro-business policy, 52
Modi’s treatment of billionaires, 53–54
political corruption and cronyism, 42–43, 109–110, 112–115
carbon footprint, 161
caste
attitudes toward human waste, 157
economic inequality, 25
effect of economic growth on elections, 131
influencing Nehru’s political policies, 14
modern opposition to caste discrimination, 277
Modi’s background and personal identity, 222, 224, 229
public spending on health and education, 26–27
unequal levels of hunger and malnutrition, 27
cellphones. See telecommunications
centralization of political power, 14–15, 55–56, 99
Chidambaram, Palaniappan, 108
children, 157, 159–160, 240, 281
China
border conflicts with India, 197–201
carbon footprint, 161
economic advantage over India, 192–193
health spending, 25
Hindu and Buddhist history, 190
importance of the Dalai Lama, 189–191
improving human capital, 21
Indian relations in South Asia, 195–196
India–Pakistan relations and, 173, 177–178, 185, 194–195
India’s naval power, 203
labor by women, 149
possibility of increased stability with, 288
public spending on girls, 137
railway modernization, 17
role in Indian manufacturing, 62
state-run businesses, 53
US–India concerns over the ascension of, 216–217
Chopra, Surabhi, 244
civil society, oppression of, 276–277
civil-nuclear program, 43, 216
colonial rule, 13, 205, 260–261
commerce. See trade and commerce
Communist Party, 22, 38, 42–43, 124–125, 189, 277–278
conflict and war, 150–151, 169–172, 181–183, 193–194, 197–201, 224
Congress (Indian National Congress), 40–41
appeal to Muslim voters, 261–262
dynastic politics, 102, 104–105, 107–108
electoral graft, 129
massacres of Sikhs, 239
mixed economic progress, 58
Nilekani’s clean campaign, 122–123
political and electoral confusion, 126
“rights-based” campaign approach, 41
See also Gandhi, Sonia
corruption, 30
anti-corruption as campaign platform, 119–120
confronting ill treatment of women, 147
Congress’s “rights-based” campaign approach, 41
dynastic politics and businesses, 95, 100–101, 110–111
endemic nature of, 112
increasing public anger over, 109–110
Modi’s administration ending, 48–49
Modi’s concerns over cronyism, 53–54
Modi’s demonetization program, 49–52
Modi’s use of technology for information gathering, 79–80
Nilekani’s clean campaign, 122–123
political and economic costs, 116–118
similarities between India and the US, 284
social acceptability of, 114–115, 129
three forms of graft, 33
transformation and growth in Surat, 32–33
vulnerability of girls, 138
cricket, 20
corruption in, 112
in China, 192
India’s international status, 281
transcending Indian and Pakistani borders, 178–179
cricket diplomacy, 179
cronyism, 35–36, 53–54, 284–285
culture defining India’s identity, 221–222
Dabholkar, Narendra, 277
Dalit caste, 106, 111, 118, 126, 157, 224, 229, 272
Das, Gurcharan, 30
Dehejia, Vivek, 51
democracy
China–India relations, 191–193
combating violence against women, 148
economic growth and, 91–92, 131–135
government improvement through rewarding politicians, 130–133
India’s growth and gains since independence, 283
India’s post-Partition moderation, 252–253
Indira Gandhi’s suspension of, 100
long-term outcomes for India, 284–285
railways as symbol of, 6
Deobandi Islam, 251, 255, 260–261, 268
diamond industry, 32
displaced persons, 171, 264–265
divorce rates, 143
domestic investment. See investment, foreign and domestic
dynastic businesses, 93–95, 99–100, 107
dynastic politics, 92–98, 100–108, 110
economic crisis (2008–), 43–45
economic development
China’s advantage over India, 191–193
democracy as an obstacle to, 91–92
national electricity grid, 162
economic reform, 15–16, 40–41, 56–58
economic security in Pakistan, 183–184
economic status and growth
changes in US–India relations, 208
conditions following independence, 13–15
effect on elections, 131
energy sector’s contribution to manufacturing, 64–68
GDP versus human capital development, 23–24
global economy, 72–73, 218, 287–288
growth in the northeast region, 8–9
impact of colonialism, 13
India’s advantage over Pakistan, 174–175
Indira Gandhi’s centralization of power, 14–15, 100
Modi’s demonetization program, 49–52
Modi’s modernization plan, 16, 52–53, 55–57
Modi’s treatment of billionaires, 53–54
role of the service industry, 62–64
rural stagnation and isolation, 3–6
similarities with the US, 284–285
technological improvements, 9–10, 12–13, 77, 87–88
women in the labor force, 149
See also Singh, Manmohan; technology; trade and commerce
education
Congress campaign promises, 41
effect on religious diversity and moderation, 256
growth of the service industry, 62–64
improving education for girls, 22, 137–138, 286–287
increasing student mobility, 11–12
knowledge economy, 63
Modi’s failure to develop high quality schools, 73
Modi’s reform attempts, 25
segregation of vegetarians, 273
elections
as national entertainment, 121–122
cash flows influencing, 11
corruption and fraud in, 109–110, 118–120, 125–131
diaspora participation in, 214
drugs as bribes, 128
effect of economic growth on, 131–133
increasing violence before, 275–276
lack of transparency in campaign funding, 115
Modi appealing to the nationalist right, 236
Modi’s enormous victory in 2014, 247–248
Modi’s use of technology, 80
Nilekani’s clean campaign, 122–123
role of India’s identity in, 222
Sharif’s election in Pakistan in 2013, 180–181
Sonia Gandhi’s electoral skill, 40–41
voters’ view of Modi’s modernization, 53–54
energy sector
cronyism within Congress, 42–43
growth of manufacturing, 64–68
improving human health environmental quality, 159–163
Modi’s promises of economic development, 33–34
state control over, 53
US investment in India, 210
environmental issues, 152–163, 287
Eve-teasing, 148
expatriates. See diaspora
extremism
effect on religious and social moderation, 256–257
increase in Muslim hard-liners, 257–258, 260–261
intolerance in Kashmir, 266–270
massacres by Hindu extremists, 237–241, 244–247
Pakistan’s post-Partition factionalization, 251–252
RSS influencing Modi’s government, 232–233
Wahabi violence, 268
See also nationalism
Fair, Christine, 187
foreign investment. See investment, foreign and domestic
foreign policy
India’s potential increase in importance, 169
railway modernization plans, 17–18
Singh’s activity, 43
trade with central Asia, 172–173
Western alignment with India over Pakistan, 175–176
See also China; Pakistan; United States
foreign service, India’s, 209
free lunch program, 41
free speech, 271
fundamentalism. See extremism
future, India’s
growing role in the global economy, 287–288
Independence Day as harbinger of India’s growth and power, 280–281
long-term democratic outcomes, 284–285
similarities with the US, 283–285
See also economic status and growth; population growth
Gambhir, Vivek, 66
Gandhi, Indira, 8
assassination, 239
India’s pro-Soviet ties, 206–207
Sonia Gandhi and, 39
suspension of democracy, 271
trade isolation under, 206
Western influences, 211
Gandhi, Maneka, 101
Gandhi, Mohandas “Mahatma,” 118, 171, 194, 211, 225–226, 235, 275
Gandhi, Priyanka, 104–105, 110–111
Gandhi, Rahul, 46–47, 98–99, 101–108, 134, 179, 230
Gandhi, Rajiv, 40
China–India relations, 194
dynastic politics, 92, 99–101, 107
massacres of Sikhs, 239
welfare spending, 85
Western influences, 211
Gandhi, Sanjay, 39, 42, 99–101
Gandhi, Sonia
constituents’ view of, 104, 106–107
cricket world cup, 179
death of Narasimha Rao, 40
dynastic politics, 92, 99, 101
economic improvements under Singh and, 41–42
ignoring corruption, 116
massacres by Hindu extremists, 243–244
Singh’s intimidation by, 45–47
Western influences, 211
See also Singh, Manmohan
Gandhi, Varun, 101
gay pride, 271
Ghanchi caste, 229
GIFT (Gujarat International Finance Tec) City, 36
Google: railway modernization, 18
graft. See corruption
Gupta, Shekhar, 245
hair, exporting, 66
health issues, 22, 25–27, 72–73, 136–137, 157–158
Hinduism and Hindu population
attitudes toward human waste, 157
changing role of women in marriage, 143–144
cow slaughter bans, 272
defense of Modi after Gujarat, 249
defining India’s identity, 221–223
India’s Buddhist history, 190
India’s multi-religious democracy, 252–253
intolerance in Kashmir, 270
massacres by Hindu extremists, 237–247, 263–265
Modi’s promotional tours in the diaspora, 212–213
pilgrims as tourists, 70–7170–71
pollution of Hindu places, 153–164
Rajan’s criticism of Modi’s government, 48
rise of the nationalist right, 101, 223–224, 232–235
violence against intellectuals, 277–279
Vivekananda celebration, 5
See also religion
homeless population: women and marriage, 143–145
as hope for economic growth, 63–64
economic improvements under Singh, 41–42
geographical inequalities in public investment, 27–28
India’s growth in population and, 59–60
need for public health spending, 25
state role in service delivery, 29–31
unequal gains in education and health, 26–27
human trafficking: brides, 146
identity
biometric identity scheme, 56, 83–86, 285
elements of personal identity, 254
growth of Hindu nationalism, 225–227, 232–233
Modi’s election rhetoric, 222–223
technological interactions, 83
identity politics, 286
incomes
Assam, 7
environmental improvements and, 162
expectations of brides, 140–141
geographical differences in prosperity, 28–29
India’s advantage over Pakistan, 174–175
job statistics, 60
limited economic growth, 25
of diaspora Indians, 214
women in the labor force, 149
independence from Britain, 7–8, 97–98, 170–171, 283
Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), 82–83
Indian National Congress. See Congress (Indian National Congress)
Indian Premier League (cricket), 112
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), 74–75
industrialization, 5–6, 152–153, 283, 285
inequality in wealth distribution, 60–61
infant mortality rate, 22
infrastructure
as obstacle to attracting tourists, 70
brightening India’s global prospects, 282–283
China’s investment in Pakistan, 177–178
China’s presence in South Asia, 196
economic inequality, 36
energy sector’s contribution to manufacturing, 64–65
lack of toilet facilities, 155–157
Modi’s plans, 36–37, 72–73, 132
on disputed borders between China and India, 199
“right to work” campaign, 41
Singh’s failure to improve, 43–45
technological factors, 82–84, 87
intellectuals, violence against, 277–279
Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI; Pakistan), 184–185
investment, foreign and domestic
China’s investment in South Asia, 196
in education and health, 22
Modi’s modernization plan, 34–36, 52–53, 56, 58
Mukherjee’s mismanagement, 42
US investment in India, 210
iron brothers (China and Pakistan), 195
Islam and the Muslim population
attitudes toward sanitation, 157
defining India’s identity, 221–222
effect of extremism on Indian moderation, 256–257
increasing fundamentalism and factionalization, 257–263
India’s multi-religious democracy, 252–253
massacres by Hindu extremists, 237–243, 264–265
rise of the Hindu nationalist right, 234–235
See also religion
Jaishankar, Subrahmanyam, 180
Jaitley, Arun, 16, 55, 101–102, 155
Janmohamed, Zahir, 237–238, 247
Jinnah, Muhammad Ali, 171
jobs. See labor force
Jose, Vinod, 240
judiciary: combating violence against women, 148
Kajaria Ceramics, 68
Kalburgi, M. M., 278
Kant, Amitabh, 70
Kapur, Devesh, 214
Kargil conflict, 170, 181, 207, 209
Karva Chauth (fasting practice), 145
Kashmir
anti-Indian sentiment, 266–270, 275
China–India border conflict, 198–199
Pakistan–India conflict, 168–172, 266–270
political corruption, 115
stability of India’s multi-religious democracy, 254
Kejriwal, Arvind, 109, 118–120
Kennedy, John F., 206
Khuman, Jogidas, 228
Kion company, 58
Kissinger, Henry, 206
knowledge economy, 63
Kodnani, Mayaben, 246
Krishna, S. M., 178
Kumbh Mela (Hindu festival), 70–71
labor force
biometrics improving performance, 86
decaying railways, 6
India’s growth in population and human capital, 59–60, 285
India’s unhelpful work culture, 67–69
lack of growth under Singh, 44–45
role of telecommunications in, 9–10
women’s representation in, 149
labor laws, 69
Laws of Manu, 157
legal system, corruption crippling, 116
Li Keqiang, 201
liberalism
conservative elements in Kashmir, 267–269
creeping intolerance under Modi, 275–276
democratic freedoms under Congress, 271–272
growing intolerance under Modi, 271–273
long-term optimism for increased tolerance, 289–290
violence against religious skeptics, 277–278
See also violence
Mahasabha (extreme-right organization), 227
Maino, Edvige Antonia Albina. See Gandhi, Sonia
Mallya, Vijay, 112
balancing environmental quality and, 160
Chinese investment in, 199–200
energy sector contribution, 64–68
global and regional economies, 61–62
lack of growth under Singh, 44–45
Modi’s promises of economic success, 34–35
small-scale and large-scale, 66–70
specialist manufacturing, 66–67
Mao Zedong, 191
maritime interests, India’s, 201
marriage
changing role of women in, 143–145
mothers-in-law controlling daughters-in-law, 142–143
premarital investigations, 139–141
sanitation as contingency for, 156
trafficking in brides, 146
Marxist politics, 124–125, 191. See also China
media
attacks on journalists, 184
elections as national entertainment, 121–122
elites’ control of, 119
Modi’s role in the Gujarat massacres, 248
medicine: production line surgery, 76
Mehta, Pratap Bhanu, 275
Menon, Shivshankar, 179–180, 216
middle class: changing voting behavior, 134
migration: effect on Indian tolerance and moderation, 256–259
military
China–India relations, 191–192, 197–200
China’s advantage over India, 193–194
China’s presence in South Asia, 196
India–Pakistan relations, 184
India’s acquisition of British equipment, 206
India’s growth as a power, 208–209
Pakistani army’s political control, 181, 186–187
promoting India’s naval power, 201–203
US provision of equipment, 210
US–India concerns over the ascension of China, 216–217
Mishra, Vishwambhar Nath, 153
mobility, social and geographic, 4–7, 9–10
Modi, Narendra, 11
addressing violence against girls and women, 149
background and family, 223–225
centralization of power, 55–56
China–India relations, 195, 199–201
Congress’s political decline, 282
creeping intolerance under, 275–277
criticism of Singh’s administration, 47–49
dynastic politics, 96, 103–104, 107
economic policy and growth, 24–25, 55–57, 72–73
effect of economic growth on elections, 131–132
encouraging religious divisions, 254–255
family and private life, 230–231
growing intolerance under, 272–273
Hindu nationalism, 223–224, 226–228, 233–234
improving air quality, 160
India–Pakistan relations, 168–169, 174, 176–181, 187
India’s Buddhist heritage, 189–190
infrastructure improvements, 88
lavish campaign spending, 130
legislation inhibiting business growth, 66
limited political and economic gains, 55
official trip to China, 200
political cost of Gujarat killings, 247–248
political influence of the RSS, 233–235
political manipulation of religious factions, 265
popular approval, 237
promise to clean the Ganges, 153–154
railway modernization, 18
religious violence, 237–247, 274–275
role of India’s identity in the election of, 222
US foreign policy under Donald Trump, 176
US–India relations, 207, 211, 217–218
money laundering, 117
Mongolia, 195
mountaineering, corruption in, 114
Mumbai terrorist attacks, 177, 186
Musharraf, Pervez, 181
Muslims. See Islam and the Muslim population
Muzaffarnagar killings, 263–265
mysticism, science and, 78–79, 277–278
nationalism
China–India relations, 191–194
increasing religious factionalization, 254–255
Modi appealing to the nationalist right, 236
Modi’s background, 176, 224–225
Modi’s promotional tours in the diaspora, 212–214
Modi’s self-proclaimed identity, 222–223
Pakistan–India relations, 183–184
rise of the Hindu nationalist right, 101, 223–224, 232–235
Savarkar as national hero, 226
similarities between the US and India, 289–290
violence against intellectuals, 277–279
near-shoring, 72
Nehru, Jawaharlal, 8, 224, 232
China–India relations, 194
India’s Hindu identity, 225
India’s Hindu rate of growth, 15
Partition unrest, 171
US–India relations, 206
Western influences, 211
Nilekani, Nandan, 55, 84–85, 122–123, 129, 134
non-governmental organizations (NGOs), suspension of, 276–277
Norbu, Lobsang, 198
nuclear programs, 43
China–Pakistan relations, 177–178, 195
history of India’s tense relations with Pakistan, 169–170
India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group, 217
India’s Western alliances, 175–176
US–India civil-nuclear agreement, 208, 216
Nuclear Suppliers Group, 217
Obama, Barack, 204–205, 213–214, 216, 249, 276
outsourcing: growth of the service industry, 62–63
Pakistan
attack on pilgrims in Kashmir, 151
border dispute in Kashmir, 169–172
complicating China–India relations, 194–195
dynastic businesses and politics, 95
history of India’s tense relations with, 168–170
incentives to improve India’s relations with, 174
India’s economic advantages over, 174–175
India’s influence in Iran, 172–173
India’s need to resolve the conflict with, 287–288
migrant identity, 214
military as obstacle to peace with India, 184–185
military control within, 186–187
Modi’s skepticism over India’s relations with, 176–181
Muslim identity, 225
Osama bin Laden’s protection, 181–183
post-Partition factionalization, 251–252
protests against corruption, 117
representation at Modi’s inauguration, 168
Singh’s foreign affairs initiatives, 43
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, 206–207
state sponsored of terrorism, 185–186
US post-Cold War relations with, 206–207
US–India relations, 206
Patel, Dasharathbhai Laxman, 223–224, 227–228
Patel, Urjit, 50
Pathak, Bindeshwar, 156
pilgrims, 150–152, 200, 240–242, 247
Pilot, Rajesh, 103
Pilot, Sachin, 103
polio, eradication of, 175
politics
diaspora role in American politics, 215–216
economic improvements under Singh, 41–42
global ignorance of India’s political system and history, 124–125
influence of the RSS in Modi’s government, 232–235
isolation of the northeast, 7–8
Modi’s background and influences, 228–229
of religious violence, 240
optimism for India’s future, 286–287
railways as symbol of, 6
Singh’s inadequacy and discomfort with, 45–47
stability of India’s multi-religious democracy, 253–254
technological success, 78, 84–85
See also Bharatiya Janata Party; Congress; corruption; Modi, Narendra; specific politicians
Popular Front, 262
population growth, 15, 29, 32, 59–60, 153–155, 252
populism, Nehru-Gandhi dynasty and, 107
agricultural improvement, 13
economic growth and human capital development, 24
effect of climate change on, 161–162
impact of poor hygiene on nutrition, 154–156
Indira Gandhi’s policies, 100
social and geographical mobility, 3–4
unequal gains across India, 27
Prabhu, Suresh, 17
Prajapati, Tulsiram, 245
premarital bride investigations, 139–141
private sector. See business sector
protest movements, 117–119, 148, 160–161, 225–226
public health and hygiene, 25, 149, 154–158
public spending, 22–23, 87, 137–138, 153–154
public-private schemes, 45
Puri, Sanjay, 215
Quraishi, S.Y., 126
Radhakrishnan, Koppillil, 74–77
railways, 5–7, 17–18, 70, 240–242
Raja, Andimuthu, 116
Rao, Narasimha, 15–16, 40, 46, 108, 208, 281
rape and murder, Delhi 2012 146–147
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), 223–227, 229, 231–235, 239–241, 244, 272, 275–276
Reddy, Y. S. Jaganmohan, 126
regional politics, 124–125, 195–196, 217
Reliance Industries, 53–54, 94, 119
religion
as obstacle to Aadhaar registration, 83–84
defining India’s identity, 221–223
growing intolerance under Modi, 272–276
India–Pakistan border dispute, 170–171
long-term optimism for increased tolerance, 289–290
Modi’s background and personality, 228–229
motives for violent clashes, 240
official censorship, 275
Pakistan’s post-Partition factionalization, 251–252
pilgrimage to Kashmir, 150–152
public hygiene, 157
US demographic similarities with India, 204–205
violence against skeptics, 277–278
See also extremism; Hinduism and Hindu population; Islam and the Muslim population
right to work, 41
Roy, Arundhati, 267
sanitation, 18, 21, 31–32, 152–158
Saraswati (mystical river), 78–79
Savarkar, Vinayak Damodar, 211, 225–228
Scindia, Jyotiraditya, 98
service economy, 16, 40, 62–63, 70–72
Shah, Amit, 222, 235, 245, 265
Shanghvi, Dilip, 54
Sharif, Nawaz, 168, 177–178, 180–181, 183
Sharma, Ram Sewak, 86
Sheikh, Sohrabuddin, 245
Singh, Ameeta, 106
Singh, Devendra Pratap, 234
China–India border conflicts, 200–201
corruption under, 109–110, 116–118
economic and social changes, 41–42, 44–45
failure to communicate policies and progress, 45–47
inadequate efforts to improve lives of girls and women, 137–138
foreign affairs and economic policy, 43–44
law on nongovernmental organisations, 2011, 276
public anger over lack of safety for women, 146–147
Pakistan–India relations, 179–180, 183
Rajan’s tenure over the central bank, 42
Sonia Gandhi’s appointment of, 39–40
technological improvements, 83, 85
Singh, Winnie, 148
soap operas, 142
social ills in the US and India, 284
Soviet Union, India’s ties to, 206–207
speed money, 114
Sri Lanka, 28, 101, 168, 179–180, 196, 253, 256, 259
state, the
civil transformation in Surat, 31–32
decreasing capacity for service provision, 30–31
geographical differences in public investment, 29–30
India’s advantages over Pakistan’s, 175–176
India’s multi-religious democracy, 253
Pakistan’s state-sponsored terrorism, 185–186
public investment in education and health, 22
strong families counterbalancing a weak state, 97–98
tech improvements, 83
Sufi Islam, 190, 232, 251, 255–257, 259–261, 267–268
Sundaresan, Suresh, 51
Sunni Islam, 225, 251–253, 268. See also Pakistan
Taj Mahal, 153
taxation and tax legislation, 56–57, 86, 91–92, 114
taxi service, 82
technology
Aadhaar biometric identity scheme, 56, 83–86, 285
changes in voter behavior, 134–135
education and income of diaspora Indians, 214–215
entrepreneurial startups, 81–83
improving government efficiency, 84–87
rulers’ excitement about, 78–79
US provision of military goods, 210
US–India relations, 208
telecommunications
business incentives for using smartphones, 81–82
changes in voter behavior, 134–135
economic and social importance of cellphones, 9–10
foreign manufacturers in India, 69–70
recent growth and spread, 9
terrorist activities
India–Pakistan relations, 174, 176–177
Modi condemning Islam, 176
Pakistan’s alignment with Islamists, 175–176
US–India cooperation, 209
Thapar, Romila, 278
Tibetans, 189–191, 194, 197–199
tourist industry, 70–72, 156, 195–196
trade and commerce
ancient civilizations, 28
China–India relations, 192–193
distribution of wealth, 28–29, 60–61
India–Pakistan relations under Singh, 183
India’s avoidance of Asian ties, 217
India’s growing presence, 208
India’s influence in Southeast Asia, 190
manufacturing industry, 62
Nehru’s closed border policies, 14
relations with Pakistan, 172–174
strategic role of the Andaman Islands, 203
trading electricity, 65
under Indira Gandhi, 14–15, 206
US–India relations, 211
transgender individuals, 16–17
Trinamool Party, 42
UN Security Council, India’s membership on, 209
UNESCO world heritage sites, 70
UNICEF: improving public hygiene, 155
United States
foreign policy under Donald Trump, 176, 288–289
growth of India’s relations with, 206–208
India’s need for closer ties with, 205–206
India’s similarities to, 204–205
Modi’s role in Gujarat, 248–250
Osama bin Laden’s death, 182–183
political and social history, 283–284
Vaghela, Shankersinh, 213, 244
Vajpayee, Atal Bihari, 63, 169, 181, 207
Venugopal, Veena, 142
violence
against religious skeptics, 277–278
as means to political ends, 225–226
combating violence against women, 148
creeping intolerance sparking, 277–279
Hindu nationalism, 101, 226–227, 235, 237–247, 263–264
India’s multi-religious democracy, 253–254
Pakistan–India relations, 185–186
Vivekananda Express, 5–7, 10–13, 16, 18–19
Wahabi Islam, 251–252, 256–259, 261–262, 267–268
wealth, 60–61, 93–95, 104–106, 111–112
women and girls
India’s political and social future, 286–287
investment in public health and education, 22, 25
rape and murder Delhi 2012, 146–147
safety concerns for female tourists, 71
World Trade Organization (WTO), 211