Podcast Summary: Interesting Times with Ross Douthat
Episode: The Future Is Indian
Guest: Amitav Acharya (International Relations Scholar)
Date: February 19, 2026
Host: Ross Douthat, New York Times Opinion
Overview
In this episode, Ross Douthat explores India’s ascendant role in the 21st-century world order with renowned international relations scholar Amitav Acharya. Topics range from India’s economic trajectory and multi-aligned foreign policy to the geopolitics of trade, diasporic influence, and the complexities of national identity. The conversation investigates whether India is poised for its own “Indian century” and what an empowered India would mean for the global balance of power.
Key Discussion Points
1. India vs. China: Different Paths to Power
- India and China have modernized significantly, but China’s rise has been much quicker and more visible internationally, while India's ascent has been slower but steady.
- Economic Growth:
- Amitav Acharya: “Growth rates are higher than China [for India, in recent years], but it started on a lower base. India has maintained its open political system, democracy... The main problem with India has been generating employment.” (02:22)
- Historical Context: India was a major power, especially in Asia, in the 1940s and ‘50s. “India and China almost went parallel... then China took off.” (02:22)
2. Demographics and the ‘Demographic Dividend’
- India, unlike China, still benefits from a large, young population due to the absence of a one-child policy.
- “That can be a mixed blessing because you have to find jobs for these people, satisfy these people. India has to improve its educational infrastructure and employment possibility.” (04:40)
3. India-EU Trade Deal and Migration
- Major development: India’s comprehensive trade deal with the EU, opening both markets and migration pathways.
- “It’s a godsend blessing for Europe... Indian exporters will be very happy... There will be more investment coming into India as well." (05:55)
- The deal also allows more Indians to migrate to Europe, which could relieve some domestic unemployment while providing Europe with much-needed labor. (06:40)
4. Export Competitiveness and Economic Integration
- India’s major exports to Europe will be agricultural products, textiles, and mechanical goods; over time, India could move up the value chain.
- India’s integration into global supply chains has lagged due to protectionist policies, but the new trade environment presents opportunities.
- “India is not going to have the kind of industrial revolution like China had... But the next stage... combination of industrial, high technology, services—India had to find that niche.” (09:32)
5. India’s Multi-Aligned Foreign Policy
- Russia: Long-standing ties, mainly through defense procurement—historical roots go back to Cold War alignments.
- “The Russians have been fairly reliable and fairly friendly partners with India for a very long time. There is a historical memory... in some ways sentimental, I would say.” (11:06)
- Putin Era: Continued reliance on Russian weapons, and now oil, though India has also moved closer to the US (especially after US recognition of India’s nuclear status).
- “So you can say it’s multi-alignment, you can say it’s playing both ways, having your cake and eat it too.” (12:26)
- Limitations: This balancing cannot be sustained indefinitely as geopolitical pressures rise.
- “You cannot have sustained this for too long. At some point there will be a tension and then you have to choose or you will get into problems.” (15:34)
6. Strategic Objectives and Grand Strategy
- India isn’t seeking to surpass the US or China but craves “status... as a great power, status as respect in the international community, what it used to have.” (18:23)
- India’s aims: Maintain steady economic growth, preserve democracy, and be recognized as a leading global player.
- “India is not a revisionist power. India is a status quo power.” (21:09)
7. Relations with Pakistan and China
- India’s preferred outcome: economic progress and internal stability, rather than regional hegemony.
- “With Pakistani terrorism, ... it’s all linked to, from the Indian perspective, support for terrorism. And they see the West not really understanding India’s position... China is the biggest, you know, they say ironclad relationship with Pakistan....” (21:03)
- Indian foreign policy increasingly focuses on managing China as a true peer, with Pakistan as a secondary, though destabilizing, actor. (22:46)
8. Military Power and Regional Domination
- India’s military is significant, especially in the Indian Ocean region, but is not capable of true global power projection.
- “If it comes to the Indian Ocean, which is India’s backyard, Indian capabilities are very significant... Indian strategic doctrine focuses...on the Indian Ocean.” (23:21)
9. Politics of Indian Civilization and the Diaspora
- Under Modi’s leadership, there’s been a rise in Hindu nationalism and a push to define Indian identity in civilizational terms.
- “The BJP’s ideology is based on Hindu nationalism, Hindutva... It is creating a lot of concern among the Muslims, among the secular forces in India, which is still very substantial.” (24:55)
- Competing historical narratives: indigenous civilizational origins vs. hybrid, amalgamated history (25:41).
10. Diaspora Influence: America and Beyond
- The Indian diaspora is growing in economic and political importance, often used as a foreign policy tool by India.
- “The American perception of India—first of all, Americans don't know much about India... India doesn't strike American imagination the way the Chinese do.” (28:01)
- Indian success in America, especially Silicon Valley, alternately inspires admiration and provokes backlash amid populist politics.
- “I have heard this story about Indian dominance of Silicon Valley as a factor why many non-Indians, especially from Southeast Asia, have left Silicon Valley.” (30:45)
- “60% [of H1B visas] were for Indians. That's a huge number.” (31:30)
- US political leanings of Indian-Americans are shifting, becoming more diverse with both prominent Democrats and Republicans.
- “They have become more conservative... You feel more at home identifying with the Republican narrative...” (34:10)
11. India’s Place in Europe and Migration Challenges
- Europe’s aging population creates demand for immigrants; Indian migration is increasing, but assimilation is more challenging than in the US.
- “United States... provides much more of a broad space for adaptation and assimilation. Europe is still very traditional in that sense.” (35:25)
- The Indian government might see migration as a solution to domestic unemployment, but many Indians retain strong ties to their homeland and would return if opportunities arise. (39:11)
12. What Does India Want from Its Diaspora?
- “Get money... but also loyalty. Loyalty meaning always think of the Indian interests.” (40:15)
- India wants its diaspora to advocate for Indian interests abroad and enhance India’s global standing, similar to the Israeli and Irish diasporas. (40:46)
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
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On Historical Context:
- “India was actually a major power and... had a much bigger imprint, at least on Asian international relations in the 1940s and 50s..." — Acharya (02:22)
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On Demographics:
- “India never had the one child policy. So India has more young population coming up. But that can be a mixed blessing because you have to find jobs for these people.” — Acharya (04:40)
-
On Trade Deals:
- “It’s a godsend blessing for Europe at the right time...” — Acharya (05:55)
- “It’s a very political thing... the significance is more political than economic." — Acharya (07:53)
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On Foreign Policy:
- “So you can say it’s multi-alignment... having your cake and eat it too.” — Acharya (12:26)
- “But that policy would work as long as the United States says ‘either you’re with us or you’re against us.’” — Acharya (15:10)
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On Indian Ambitions:
- “India just want to have status and the key word is status. As a great power, status as respect in the international community...” — Acharya (18:23)
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On Diaspora Influence:
- “Modi has used that as a foreign policy tool... it’s a significant foreign policy asset.” — Acharya (28:01)
- “60% [of H1B] were for Indians... When it gets into the public domain, people think ‘Why should any particular ethnic group dominate...?’” — Acharya (31:30)
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On Potential Futures:
- “[By 2060, if] everything goes well... India would be... one of the most respected powers in the world... not only have hard power, but also a lot of soft power.” — Acharya (42:05)
- “The pessimistic scenario would be domestic breakdown... war with Pakistan… damages both countries very seriously.” — Acharya (42:05)
Timestamps for Key Segments
- India’s Rise vs. China: 01:35 – 04:40
- Demographics & Migration: 04:04 – 07:17
- India-EU Trade & Economic Prospects: 05:27 – 09:07
- Foreign Policy: Russia, US, Multi-Alignment: 11:03 – 17:49
- Strategic Goals & Grand Strategy: 17:49 – 21:09
- Relations with Pakistan & China: 20:37 – 23:06
- Military Power in the Indian Ocean: 23:21 – 24:08
- Hindu Nationalism & Civilization Politics: 24:08 – 26:43
- Diaspora, US-India Relations: 26:43 – 30:45
- Indian-Americans’ Political Leanings: 33:11 – 34:44
- Europe, Migration, Assimilation: 35:25 – 39:11
- India’s Diaspora Policy: 40:10 – 41:51
- Visions for 2060: 41:51 – 43:41
Tone and Language
The tone is broadly analytical and measured, with both Douthat and Acharya speaking candidly about sensitive topics such as migration, nationalism, and the tensions in multi-alignment diplomacy. Acharya provides nuanced, sometimes critical, but often optimistic views on India's trajectory.
Conclusion
Through a detailed, multi-dimensional discussion, this episode paints a vivid picture of India’s current position and future potential in world affairs. Acharya anticipates a future where India, while unlikely to surpass the US or China outright, will close the gap, wielding growing economic, military, and soft power—provided domestic unity and political stability can be maintained. The challenges of employment, integration into global markets, navigating great power tensions, and harnessing the diaspora’s influence remain central to India’s prospects in the decades to come.