The election will shape India's development.

Despite achieving positive results in socio-economic development and strengthening its international standing, India still faces many challenges. The upcoming general election in India is considered crucial in shaping the development of the world's most populous nation, at least for the next five years.

The general election in India is considered one of the largest elections in the world , with nearly 970 million registered voters, representing more than 10% of the global population.

Analysts believe that the election has become a focal point of international attention not only because of its large scale, but also because this South Asian nation has an increasingly important voice in international forums and is one of the world's fastest-growing economies.

Supporters of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attend an election campaign rally in Meerut, India, on March 31, 2024.

The election results have far-reaching implications for both the future of the nation of over 1.4 billion people and the geopolitical landscape of the Indo-Pacific region.

In an election lasting over 40 days, beginning on April 19th, Indian voters will elect 543 out of 545 members of the Lower House for the next five-year term. The party that wins a majority of seats in the Lower House will form the new government.

Despite facing competition from a coalition of 26 opposition parties led by the Indian National Congress (INC), recent opinion polls show that Prime Minister Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) is leading in the race for the Lower House of Parliament.

Analysts believe that India's achievements over the past 10 years are the BJP's "trump card" in the upcoming race. Against the backdrop of a challenging global economy, India achieved spectacular economic growth of approximately 7.6% in 2023.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts that India will be a bright spot in the Asian economy, with stable growth of around 6.5% in 2024 and 2025. IMF data shows that India has risen to become the world's fifth-largest economy. Furthermore, over the past 10 years, approximately 250 million Indians have escaped poverty, and per capita income has nearly doubled.

Not only has the Modi government scored points with impressive socio-economic development results, but it has also achieved many diplomatic successes in recent years. Relationships with important countries such as the United States, the European Union (EU), and ASEAN, as well as India's voice in international forums, have been continuously strengthened. 2023 was a vibrant year for Indian diplomacy.

Successfully assuming the chairmanship of the Group of Twenty (G20) leading developed and emerging economies, with many significant achievements such as lobbying for the African Union (AU) to become a member, strengthening the voice of countries in the Southern Hemisphere, reforming multilateral development banks, etc., demonstrates New Delhi's growing influence in efforts to address global issues.

However, to win the votes of the electorate, the parties participating in the upcoming general election, including the BJP, need to find solutions to the pressing issues that are attracting the attention of a large number of Indian voters. These include addressing unemployment and income inequality, reducing inflation and poverty, developing infrastructure, and expanding social welfare programs.

According to a report by the International Labour Organization (ILO), the unemployment rate among young people in India is significantly higher than the global average. The ILO argues that the Indian economy has not created enough non-agricultural jobs to keep pace with the abundant supply of skilled young workers. The unemployment rate for university graduates remains high, at around 29%.

In its recently released election platform, the BJP pledged to create more jobs, modernize infrastructure, expand social welfare programs, and develop India into a hub for pharmaceuticals, energy, semiconductors, and tourism. The BJP also affirmed its commitment to putting India on the right track to becoming a developed nation by 2047, the centenary of its Independence Day.

Despite achieving significant socio-economic development and strengthening its international standing, India still faces numerous challenges amidst an unpredictable global landscape. The upcoming general election plays a crucial role in determining India's future development.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/cuoc-bau-cu-dinh-huong-phat-trien-an-do-post382888.html