The Rise of Populist Phenomenon in India: Implications for India`s Relation With Pakistan and China

Abstract

This study endeavors to qualitatively analyze the surge of populism in India through an interpretative paradigm in order to contextualize the phenomenon with respect to non-western settings. It is imperative to operationalize the western originated concept of populism in India to analytical understand its causes and effects. The trans-continental phenomenon of populism manifest itself in India due to the economic and political factors that are played at discursive level by the political leaders. The preferred medium used by the populists is digital media as compared to the mainstream media due to the former`s less constraints on content moderation and control. The populist government in India derive legitimacy of their legislative actions based on self-other dialect. Therefore, populism in India would have implications for Pakistan and China. The contentious and Hobbesian nature of anarchy based on constructed binary identities, grounded on nationalism and civilizational perspective, makes the region prone to intractable instability. The undecided territorial and border disputes of India with Pakistan and China, along with the Kashmir issue, would makes it difficult to develop a pragmatic policy options to achieve regional stability and peace.