Published on, Sept. 23 -- September 23, 2025 6:23 PM

The Contradiction at the Heart of Modi's Message

India's GDP grew from $390 billion in 1990 to nearly $4 trillion in 2025-one of the world's great success stories.

This rise was not born of isolation or nationalist slogans, but of courageous reforms that opened the country to the world. That is why Prime Minister Modi's recent call to "go vocal for local" and boycott foreign goods is so jarring.

You cannot extend one hand to the world in search of investment and markets while clenching the other in nationalist boycotts.

Even Modi's 160+ foreign trips-including his announcement of a $500 billion U.S. investment target as recently as February 2025-were premised on integration. India'...