India is facing a critical juncture where swift economic reforms are essential. The country is known for its slow decision-making process, often relying on committees to examine issues rather than taking immediate action. This approach is no longer viable in a fast-paced global environment.
Recent interactions with European nations highlight this disparity. While European leaders visited Delhi discussing free trade and economic cooperation, their current stance seems to have shifted. This suggests that delays in implementing reforms can lead to missed opportunities and changing international dynamics.
Furthermore, India faces challenges with its diaspora. In countries like the US, UK, Australia, and Canada, there are growing movements against Indian immigrants. While many Indian immigrants are successful and contribute positively, the presence of illegal immigrants, often facilitated by human trafficking rings, creates a negative perception. This blurs the lines between law-abiding citizens and those breaking the law, potentially turning a valuable asset into a liability.
Domestically, progress on crucial reforms remains slow. Debates continue on privatising public sector companies in petroleum and telecom. The inclusion of petroleum products and real estate in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is still under discussion. Even the approval of genetically modified mustard seeds, which farmers desperately need, faces delays.
Concerns about prosecuting farmers for illegally importing Bt brinjal seeds from Bangladesh also highlight regulatory challenges. The government is still debating labour reform, land reform, and inverted duty structures. The promised draft bill on limiting liability for nuclear plant equipment suppliers has not yet been published, despite being announced months ago.
This pattern of appointing committees instead of acting decisively hinders India’s progress. Other nations do not operate with such slowness. For example, when China faced significant tariffs, they directly proposed a reset of ties with India, bypassing lengthy bureaucratic processes.
India’s problem is not just its inability to act quickly but also its tendency to get stuck in self-imposed obsessions. The decades-old focus on ‘de-hyphenating’ with Pakistan has become a rigid doctrine, overshadowing practical foreign policy needs. In a democracy, there is pressure to avoid appearing weak, leading to unproductive rhetoric against foreign leaders.
These are not signs of responsible governance but rather immature reactions. The world is moving at a rapid pace, and India cannot afford to lag behind. The nation does not need more committees or working groups; the required reforms are already well-understood at both the central and state levels.
A high-level meeting involving the Centre and states is urgently needed. Decisions made during this meeting should be implemented immediately, within days or weeks. India has only 30 days to implement these critical reforms.
By seizing this moment, turning potential crises into opportunities, reforming the economy, and unleashing the entrepreneurial spirit, India can set a realistic goal of achieving significant progress by 2047. The current challenges, if addressed decisively, could prove to be worthwhile in the long run.