India in transition: Demonstrations, challenges in the party system, and Indo-Russian relations

Policy Study

The FEPS focus on India becomes even sharper in the early weeks of 2013 with this collection of articles by FEPS Advisor on Asia Dr Klaus Voll and political analyst Kamakshi Nanda.

The first article examines the efforts of the newly formed Aam Aadmi Party to cleanse corruption from Indian politics and to make democracy more people-centred. In doing so, they provide a useful insight through analyses of the establishment of the party and through interviews with prominent members.

Among more established parties, political transition in India is also in evidence. India’s oldest and current ruling party, the Congress, held an introspection camp in Jaipur in January 2013. Our writers explore its outcome and the role of the new ‘crown prince’ in the Indian political scene. Rahul Gandhi has recently been elected as new Vice-President of the Congress, thus attaining a key role in the battle for power in the 2014 elections. All the while, the main opposition party in India, the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, has a new President – Rajnath Singh. The third article examines the events that led to Singh’s elevation, the reactions to it, and the notable points of Singh’s political career.

The last month of 2012 saw Indians from all walks of life, young or old, men or women, middle or lower classes, urban or rural, demonstrate on the streets of the country. The trigger was the rape of a medical student by six men in a moving bus in the capital of the country. The fourth article charts the debates surrounding women’s position in society and reactions in India to an issue which has garnered huge worldwide media attention.

The fifth article outlining Vladimir Putin’s recent visit underlined Russia’s role as a major supplier of high-technology weapons to India and the ramifications this has for future In less than 24 hours in Delhi, Vladimir Putin walked away with contracts worth billions of dollars. No mean feat given the slump in Indo-Russian ties on account of postponed start of the Kudankulam nuclear plant and delays in the delivery of weapons of strategic importance to India. This final article provides an overview of the visit and nature of current bilateral relations.

 R. Singh a new Pdt. Putin’s visit underligned Russia’s role as a major supplier of high-technology weapons to India.

Articles

1. Aam Aadmi Party: A new political party in India:
2. Rahul Gandhi: in a central position to lead the Congress in the 2014 general elections (& Jaipur declaration)
3. Rajnath Singh: The new BJP President
4. Massive Protests Against Rapes in India
5. Vladimir Putin’s one day in Delhi