Opinion Tavleen Singh writes: Why PM Modi’s leadership is needed urgently at this time

Meanwhile, the Leader of the Opposition was in Ahmedabad attending the 84th session of the All-India Congress Committee and as the keynote speaker at this ‘historic’ meeting made a long, passionate speech in which he touched upon his favourite subjects. A caste census, reservations for the lower castes beyond the 50% limit, the tragedy of the hard work of workers going unrecognised, the absence of Dalits, OBCs and tribals at the economic high table, and Narendra Modi’s crony capitalism. Ambani-Adani had been given a monopoly on India’s wealth, Rahul Gandhi said, and money that should have been invested in public sector companies was now in their hands.

In passing he touched on the tariffs, and he did this to mock Modi for the way he had been let down by his friend. He mocked the Prime Minister for sitting quietly while Donald Trump told him about his plans to raise duties on Indian imports. It is not clear to me what Modi could have said in the Oval Office or whether it would have deterred Trump, but Rahul made it plain that he thought this was possible. Would it not have been more useful for him to have called on senior Congress leaders, like the man who writes the column next to this one, and ordered a full analysis of the implications for India of the tariffs? Now that would have been leadership would it not?

The Leader of the Opposition can be excused for dereliction because he is not leading the country in this tumultuous time. It is harder to excuse the Prime Minister for dereliction because he was elected to lead India in good times and bad. His silence on the most important issue in the world is inexplicable. For a man who likes making speeches and addressing large gatherings, why is it that he never thought that this was a moment for a speech that reassured Indian investors that they had nothing to fear?

We need to know how prepared we are for worldwide economic uncertainty that could lead to a recession. The Prime Minister likes to believe that he has done such amazing reforms that he has created an atmosphere in which it is easier to do business than it has ever been.
Clearly, he is being misled. Bureaucrats and sundry lowly officials continue to make it their life’s mission to lay obstacles in the path of those who dare to try and do business in India. Many have simply packed up their riches and fled to countries in which it is easier to do business. According to one estimate more than 20% of super-rich Indians have left. As someone who lives in Mumbai, it saddens me to report that almost every other rich businessman I know has ensured that he has one foot in either Dubai, London or New York.

When Modi became prime minister, he loved repeating that it was not the ‘business of government to be in business’ but he does not say this anymore. He cannot because his government continues to run huge corporations relying on the very limited business skills of bureaucrats. If the chaos and turmoil that Trump has unleashed upon the world continues and halfway developed countries like our own slide back into a poverty cesspool, then the first people to leave will be these high officials. They may not be among India’s super-rich, but they are well-connected to foreign universities, where they often disappear quietly into the world of academia.

It is sad dear Prime Minister that you have not seen through their ways and their wiles. And sadder still that when your leadership is most needed you have been busy with religious rituals and tending to the needs of your constituency. We must hope that someday soon you will discover that your leadership is needed urgently at this time. We need assurance that India does not face economic ruination in the days and months to come.