"After the general elections in India: old challenges, new actors?"

Details

The 16th Lok Sabha elections in India have produced a historic result. After a period of 30 years, a single party has gained a majority in the Lower House of the Indian Parliament (Lok Sabha), suspending the era of coalition-Government politics for the moment. The people of India have given a clear mandate to the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). The victory of BJP and the election of Mr. Narendra Modi as Prime Minister has attracted the attention of the world.

The election campaign had focused on rapid development and good governance. Mr. Narendra Modi was able to convince the Indian electorate of his successful performance in Gujarat and appeal that this would be replicated across India.

The Congress has governed India for most of the time since the country gained independence in 1947. This is only the 4th time that a non-Congress government has come to power and the first time that an individual political party, other than the Congress, has obtained a majority. The BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) thus has a unique opportunity to change the manner in which India is governed and its interface with the world.

The new government faces many challenges such as slowdown in economic growth, high inflation, and demand for jobs from a youthful population. There is urgent need to build better infrastructure and to prevent corruption. India continues to face security challenges due to its turbulent neighborhood. The manner in which the new government will be able to tackle these major challenges and meet high expectations from the public will be closely watched by observers, both in India and overseas.

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The event will be held in English.

Programme

11-11.30 a.m.

Registration

11.30 a.m.

Welcome Remarks by

• Dr. Gerhard Wahlers, Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung, Deputy Secretary General

• H.E. Ambassador Vijay Gokhale, Embassy of India, Berlin

General elections in India

• Prof. Raja Mohan, Observer Research Foundation, New Delhi

• Thomas Matussek, Ambassador (ret.), Managing Director, Alfred Herrhausen Society
• Heike Dettmann, Deputy head South Asia, Federal Foreign Office
• Benedict Pöttering, Vice President Youth of the European People's Party (YEPP) and Deputy Chairman Junge Union
• Dr. Christian Wagner, Head of Research Division Asia, German Institute of International and Security Affairs

Dr. Amrita Cheema, Deutsche Welle

1.15 p.m.

Reception with Lunch Buffet