India's election and the Philippines

ONE could reasonably ask, "What does India's election have to do with us?" Ostensibly, nothing. Yet, I see a lot of issues and lessons that are not exactly applicable but have points and lessons that are relevant to us, especially in the interplay between the economy and politics. The lessons include inclusive growth, minority rights and sacrifice among the underdogs are often critical to curbing the majority.

PM Modi was coming off two successful terms and had an absolute majority. He steered economic reforms and progress that led to Indian industry and technology reaching greater heights. During Covid, the Gates Foundation and many agencies relied on the Serum Institute of India to mass-produce vaccines showing that it had become a leader in pharmaceuticals. Gone are the days when little over a decade ago, I spoke about this at a birthday dinner, and the wife of a former bank president pooh-poohed and said she couldn't trust Indian-made medicines. I told her she was being racist, and she asked her husband if she was, and the fact that he did not say anything told me he was both being polite to his wife but aware I was right, and he did not refute my point. With all this momentum plus tensions from the West toward China showed irresistible momentum for a third term for PM Modi and expectations were for an even increased majority.