THOUSANDS OF MOBILE FLASHLIGHTS DIDN’T JUST ILLUMINATE THE AUSTRALIAN STADIUM; THEY REFLECTED MODI’S POPULARITY & LEADERSHIP: Dr CHANDRA

Giving a detailed assessment on Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s six-day visit to Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand, Dr Jagdeesh Chandra, in the latest offering of The JC Show - highlighted that marked a decisive strategic, diplomatic and economic outreach across the Indo-Pacific, says Dr. Jagdeesh Chandra. In this interview, he explains how the tour advanced India’s Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR initiative, strengthened defence diplomacy, reinforced partnerships with Australia, Japan and New Zealand, and challenged China’s growing regional influence. He also discusses the significance of the Australia uranium agreement, Modi’s economic pitch to global investors, India’s evolving India-centric foreign policy, and why the Indo-Pacific has become the focal point of global geopolitics under Narendra Modi’s leadership

• At Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal, the stadium lit up with thousands of mobile phone flashlights in honour of the Australian Prime Minister. How do you view this moment?
  Dr Jagdeesh Chandra: It was a remarkable moment. Narendra Modi represents the country’s young leadership and understands the pulse of the younger generation. Gestures like illuminating a stadium with mobile phone flashlights are closely associated with today’s youth, and he instinctively connected with that sentiment.
  When he made the appeal, one person responded, and within moments the entire stadium followed. More than the visual spectacle, it demonstrated the power of leadership. A single gesture from Modi was enough for the entire gathering to respond in unison. The episode also reflected how closely he connects with the younger generation and reinforced his position as one of the most popular leaders among India’s youth.
• Indonesia, Australia and New Zealand—all three countries visited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi—are located in the Indo-Pacific region and remain watchful of China’s growing influence. How significant is Modi’s back-to-back visit to these nations, and the grand welcome he received there, from Beijing’s perspective?
  They must be worried. China must be worried about the growing unity of these countries under the leadership of Narendra Modi. Just look at what is happening. That is precisely why Narendra Modi is signing defence pacts with these countries. They are coming together in the name of maritime security. They will share intelligence. They will share all information. They will know where a ship has departed from and where it is heading. Modi will also have equal monitoring capabilities, just as China has. Moreover, all these nations are supporting India in this effort. So, it can certainly be said that this is a growing challenge for China— one that has been well understood by these countries—and they are now looking towards Narendra Modi for leadership.
• How do you view Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s three-nation tour, along with the recent visit of Japan’s Prime Minister to New Delhi, from the perspective of the Indo-Pacific and China’s growing influence? What were the key agreements reached between India and Japan?
  Japan is also under threat from China. It too is looking for someone to stand with, and India is a natural ally. Japan’s Prime Minister was in New Delhi for three days. The major agreements covered defence, trade, investment, minerals and UPI payments—the kinds of agreements India normally signs with partner countries. However, apart from these routine bilateral agreements, the visit itself was an important signal of alignment with Narendra Modi. She had only recently assumed office as Prime Minister and chose to visit India almost immediately. That itself reflects Japan’s concern over China’s growing influence and its search for a reliable partner. The only choice, the only ray of hope, is India—and that is Narendra Modi. The visit was significant, and several important agreements were concluded.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Australian business leaders that India is “a long-term bet” and urged them not to miss the opportunity. How do you view this message?
  Narendra Modi increasingly speaks the language of economics on the global stage. Addressing investors and CEOs in Melbourne, his message was simple: “Don’t miss the opportunity.” He highlighted India’s biggest strengths—political stability, decisive governance through faster decisionmaking, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, and a market of 1.4 billion people. His pitch was clear: invest in India, earn strong returns, and be part of its growth story. I believe this message will receive a positive response from global investors.
• Has Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s New Zealand visit strengthened India’s strategic outreach in the Pacific, and what were its key outcomes?
  Absolutely. Narendra Modi’s visits to New Zealand, Australia and Indonesia sent a strong message across the Pacific region. Smaller island nations would have seen countries coming together to counter China’s growing influence, and many may eventually align with this broader strategic framework.
  The most significant outcome was the decision to advance a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The two countries also reached agreements on maritime security, trade, UPI payments, clean energy and other areas of cooperation. Around 10 agreements were signed. Most importantly, it marked the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to New Zealand in nearly 40 years, making the tour historically significant.
• Do you believe the Delimitation Bill and the Women’s Reservation Bill are likely to be passed during the Monsoon Session of Parliament beginning July 20?
  I have always believed that under Amit Shah’s leadership, very few Bills fail to clear Parliament. Politics is ultimately about strategy, and Shah has consistently demonstrated his ability to build the necessary numbers. The political situation keeps changing—members become absent, alliances shift, parties split or come together, and equations evolve. That is why I remain hopeful that both the Delimitation Bill and the Women’s Reservation Bill will be passed during this parliamentary term. It is a difficult prediction, but Amit Shah’s record of delivering legislative success on the floor of the House gives me confidence. Perhaps I am overestimating the situation, and only time will tell, but I believe that sooner or later these two Bills will secure Parliament’s approval.
• What do you foresee for the Congress in the upcoming Punjab Assembly elections? Can it really hope to win 100 of the 117 seats largely on the strength of the Dalit vote?
  The first question is not about Congress alone but about the strategy the BJP adopts, which is equally important for both the Congress and the Aam Aadmi Party. At the moment, everything may appear calm, but the political landscape can change dramatically in the final weeks of the campaign, especially if Amit Shah camps in Punjab for 10 to 15 days and Narendra Modi addresses a series of rallies.
  As far as Congress is concerned, I read today that Rahul Gandhi had returned to the country after three weeks abroad. That, to me, reflects the larger leadership problem facing the party. There is nothing wrong with travelling abroad, but when critical political developments are unfolding, prolonged absence sends a message. Narendra Modi also travels overseas, but only after ensuring that government affairs and political responsibilities are in order.
  The larger issue for Congress remains unresolved leadership. The recurring debate around Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi reflects a divided leadership structure. In Punjab itself, there are internal power struggles—Randhawa versus Charanjit Singh Channi, and questions are also being raised over the equations involving Bhupesh Baghel and the state party leadership. The party appears to be functioning as a free-for-all.
  I would not be surprised if, as elections approach, a few prominent Congress leaders decide to switch sides and join the BJP. Such political realignments are always possible. As for the Dalit vote, no political party can claim exclusive ownership over it. Simply because Channi represents Dalit politics does not mean the entire Dalit electorate will vote for Congress.
  Overall, Congress appears completely disorganised in Punjab. Rahul Gandhi may have to spend weeks on the ground, as he did in Kolkata, to improve the situation. Even then, Congress would still face strong competition from both the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party, which itself has witnessed internal divisions. Increasingly, many voters seem to prefer giving one party a stable mandate rather than witnessing constant political instability. I would not rule out the possibility of a political surprise, including a stronger BJP performance. The BJP has expanded in places where many believed it could not. But as things stand today, I do not see Congress returning to power in Punjab.
• Madhya Pradesh politics has witnessed a dramatic turn with Narottam Mishra first displaying signs of rebellion after being denied a ticket and later declaring that the party is supreme and that he would campaign as an ordinary worker. What, in your view, is the inside story behind this sudden change?
  If you ask me what caused Narottam Mishra’s change of heart, my answer is simple—the discipline enforced by Amit Shah within the BJP. The message conveyed to him was absolutely clear: the party would not change its candidate, the decision on the ticket was final, and no one could cross the limits of party discipline without consequences. Once that message was understood, his position changed. Personally, I believe Narottam Mishra is a capable leader. There was even a time when his name figured prominently in discussions for the post of Chief Minister. But politics is also shaped by destiny, and perhaps fortune is not favouring him at this stage. Regardless of individual stature, party discipline has to be respected. His supporters often used to say that Datia meant Mishra, and Mishra meant Datia. But political circumstances change with time. He has now, in a sense, returned home by returning to the party’s discipline. That is a positive development. The BJP will now fight the election united, while victory or defeat will ultimately depend on political destiny and the people’s mandate.