India’s shock election result shows democracy is still thriving

03:14

Modi’s BJP claims ‘historic’ victory in Indian election despite smaller majority

Collectively, the media, influencers, pollsters and Modi’s cyber militia exuded misplaced certitude that the two-term prime minister was much loved and admired, had a divine mission to lead India to lost glory and that the voters would endorse him en masse. This did not happen, and the BJP is now in the unenviable position of having to cobble together a coalition government.

12:50

World’s largest population: why it could be a headache for India

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Astana, Kazakhstan, in July will be an opportunity for Modi to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, but whether anything of substance will come of that is unclear. Both leaders have domestic political considerations to navigate and long-term aspirations yet to be realised. How they harmonise these divergent influences will shape geopolitics in Asia and beyond, but for now June 4 will be remembered as the day when the sagacious Indian voter restored hope in the democratic process.

Commodore C. Uday Bhaskar is director of the Society for Policy Studies (SPS), an independent think tank based in New Delhi