In his recent campaign, Mr. Modi could not brag about his achievements: He has accomplished little of what he had promised. Instead, Mr. Modi focused on the apprehensions and fears of Indian citizens: fear of terrorism, fear of sabotage by Pakistan, fear of apparently terrible deeds perpetrated by hostile elements within India. Just as the Falklands War in 1982 shored up support for Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher of Britain, who dramatically gained in popularity, the border battles with Pakistan in February helped Mr. Modi immensely in the elections. The Hindu nationalist movement has won something in terms of power but nothing particularly serious in the battle of ideas. That is victory in terms of power but not in the battle of ideas.

Source: New York Times May 24, 2019 17:39 UTC