Key Indian development target is highly challenging

Significance

The target is associated with reaching GDP of USD30tn, compared with less than USD4tn currently. Modi, in power since 2014, appears on course to win a third straight term.

Impacts

• The BJP will keep striving to shore up its Hindu nationalist base, as well as working to convince voters of its credentials on development.
• Measures to bolster infrastructure and expand welfare programmes would likely be among the immediate priorities during a third Modi term.
• Finding ways to increase employment could prove one of the toughest challenges for the next government, whoever leads it.