International media’s portrayal of Bharat often overlooks its economic and strategic transformation while relying on familiar stereotypes
NEW DELHI: Bharat hosted the 18th BRICS Summit on September 12 and 13, convening major economies and energy producers that account for nearly half of the world’s population and approximately 40 per cent of global output based on purchasing-power parity. However, international media coverage diverged from highlighting the strengthening influence of the Global South and efforts to reduce reliance on Western institutions.
Instead, some outlets focused on scenes of cyclists, moped riders, and workers passing beneath BRICS advertisements, evoking an older narrative of Bharat characterised by snake charmers and rural life.
An analysis of this coverage shows recurring themes: dusty roads, hand-pulled carts, auto-rickshaws, and crowded streets. This imagery creates a stark contrast between Bharat’s ambitions and reality, reinforcing familiar stereotypes. Despite Bharat’s significant achievements as a developing nation, international media often frame these successes within a narrow, stereotypical context.
Historically, this narrative has evolved from the “Hindu rate of growth” to a more nuanced understanding of Bharat as a vast, rising power. Even as the country is recognised for its progress, visual representations still rely on contrasts: satellites alongside cows, slums adjacent to shopping malls, and modern vehicles next to traditional ones.
It’s important to note that while auto-rickshaws, bicycles, and simple living human beings are indeed elements of Bharat’s reality, they don’t comprehensively define the country. Bharat ranks as the fourth-largest economy globally, with a sharp decline in extreme poverty, a robust digital infrastructure, and cost-effective successes from ISRO’s space missions. Bharat’s digital public infrastructure is impressive and a noteworthy export, while ISRO’s economical and successful missions are not mere coincidences. The story of Bharat’s UPI digital payment system, designed for 1.4 billion people, is particularly captivating. Bharat’s Uranium Revolution, ranking second only to Russia, stands out as a significant achievement, and the rapid establishment of a 1000-km quantum communication network is an accomplishment that many developed countries have struggled to achieve. The speed at which Bharat’s startups and unicorns are emerging is yielding strong positive outcomes. The inaugural launch of a private satellite marks a major success, and advancements in AI are occurring at a brisk pace. Bharat’s defence production and integration are now among the best globally, as demonstrated during Operation Sindoor. Agricultural output is increasing each year, and skill development across all sectors is on the rise. The UPI digital payment system and advancements in various sectors illustrate Bharat’s rapid development, suggesting a country making impressive strides across numerous domains.
Historically, from the end of the first millennium BC until British rule, Bharat was one of the world’s largest economies, unified under the Mauryan Empire, which fostered trade and agricultural prosperity. During the period from 1 to 1000 AD, Bharat contributed about 30 per cent to the global GDP. However, British colonisation led to deindustrialisation and economic decline, with Bharat’s global industrial output dropping from 25 per cent in 1750 to just 2 per cent by 1900.
To grasp this decline, the work of economist Angus Maddison is significant; his analysis highlights Bharat’s former economic dominance, which shocked Western audiences. Maddison’s research estimates that Bharat’s GDP once made up nearly 30 per cent of the global total, a startling figure when considering the historical context of invasions and conflict that obscured Bharat’s economic narrative.
This understanding may link to a concept referred to as Hindu economics, a Third Way proposed by thinkers like Dr MG Bokare and Dattopant Thengadi. It rejects both traditional capitalism and Marxism, aiming instead to harmonise democracy with Hindu economic principles. Despite differing ideologies, both thinkers recognised an alignment between Hindu economics and democratic values.
Fueled by domestic reforms and global positioning under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, Bharat’s economy became the fourth largest globally by 2025 under a Hindu ideological government. With real GDP growing at 6.5 per cent and nominal GDP increasing from Rs 106.57 lakh crore (2014-15) to Rs 331.03 lakh crore (2024-25), Bharat is experiencing the fastest economic growth in the world. Currently, Germany’s nominal GDP stands at USD 4.6 trillion and is growing at a moderate pace. Consequently, Bharat could be on the verge of surpassing Germany to become the third-largest economy by 2026-2027. These projections assume that unexpected disruptions will not impact the calculations.
Recent developments have prompted many Western economists to critique established models of development, suggesting that the failures of capitalism and Marxism are becoming evident. As these challenges resurface in developed countries, Bharat continues to progress, driven by domestic reforms and the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative, making it the fourth-largest economy by 2025 under a Hindu ideological framework. Bharat’s GDP is expected to grow significantly, placing it on track to potentially overtake Germany as the third-largest economy by 2026-2027.
Imagining a G7 summit juxtaposed with images of homelessness or food bank lines would convey an intentional message about social issues, yet similar treatments of Bharat appear to question its legitimacy on the global stage. Despite facing its own challenges, Bharat’s achievements in science, economy, and diplomacy are significant. Inequalities exist in established Western powers too, but their issues are often framed within a context of legitimate authority, while Bharat’s complexities are more frequently leveraged to undermine its rise. Thus, the focus on poverty in discussions of Bharat’s global ambitions raises questions about representation, especially when the country strives for greater influence.
The latest Impact Report from Indiaspora, a non-profit organisation based in the U.S., highlights that Bharatiya Americans, mainly Hindus, are increasingly being appointed to high-level public service positions, accounting for over 4.4 per cent of these roles despite representing only 1.5 per cent of the U.S. population. The influence of this diaspora has been significant in recent years, contributing to economic growth and taking on leadership roles in various businesses, generating approximately $300 billion in tax revenue annually for the federal treasury.
Currently, executives of Bharatiya Hindu descent lead 16 Fortune 500 companies that employ 2.5 million people globally and generate nearly $978 billion in revenue. The Bharatspora Impact report also notes that 72 out of 648 unicorn companies in the U.S. are led by Hindu entrepreneurs of Bharatiya descent, comprising over 11% of the nation’s unicorns and providing jobs for more than 55,000 individuals. Notable startups such as Rippling and Lacework highlight the entrepreneurial success of the tech-savvy Bharatiya community.
Bharat, with its substantial Hindu population, has become a net talent exporter, while the U.S. is historically a land of opportunity. Unsurprisingly, 25% of international students in U.S. universities are Bharatiya, with around 270,000 students from esteemed Bharatiya institutions bringing their ideas and academic expertise to the forefront.
The innovative skills and technological proficiency of the Bharatiya diaspora have significantly benefited their host countries, particularly in Silicon Valley’s IT sector, with figures like Satya Nadella and Sundar Pichai steering giants such as Google and Microsoft. Bharatiya industrialists have also shaped the business landscape in America and Europe, contributing to a strong national brand. Prominent Bharatiya industrialists, like Lakshmi Mittal and the Hinduja brothers, have made substantial investments and created jobs globally, with Tata acquiring British automotive brands Jaguar and Land Rover.
In conclusion, the economic and development frameworks offered by Bharat have been proven reliable. Instead of dismissing and making fun of these models, the world urgently needs such approaches and governance for the greater good, embracing sustainable development while fostering a healthy environment.
