The Shashi Tharoor Update Greetings! This week, I have four articles to share with you. In Project Syndicate, I lament how Islam is being put on trial in India. Replacing old mosques with new versions of older Hindu temples – as a number of court cases in India currently aim to do – does not right old wrongs; it perpetrates new ones. Unless the Supreme Court puts a firm stop to these disputes, India may find itself facing a resurgence of communal violence. In The Hindu, I argue that India’s voice must resonate in global AI conversations. Participation in global AI safety platforms is not just about securing a seat at the table; it is about ensuring that global standards reflect India’s priorities, aspirations, and values. By engaging proactively, India can protect its interests, foster cross-border innovation, and position itself as a global leader in AI governance. Embracing this responsibility is essential to navigating the opportunities and challenges of the AI revolution while ensuring a secure, inclusive, and prosperous future for all in the country, and beyond. My Mathrubhumi column fondly remembers the indelible mark that Dr Manmohan Singh left on India’s economic trajectory. His vision for economic progress laid the foundation for what has now become an entrepreneurial renaissance, a movement that has not only reshaped our economic landscape but positioned India as a leader on the global stage. As we enter the Budget session of Parliament, let us bow our heads in remembrance of the man who, 24 Budgets ago, made it possible for all of us to dream of a different India. Finally, in The Week, I make an attempt to coin some new words (as demanded by so many of my friends and readers!): inspired by the English language’s habit of borrowing freely from the world’s languages, I essayed “Wheth”, “Atmami”, “Omnivistatude”. What do these concoctions mean? Read on to find out! Each article can be read through the hyperlinks connected above. Additionally, the complete text of each article is below. With Warm Regards, Shashi Tharoor *************** Islam on Trial in India, 31st January 2025, Project Syndicate. In early January, India’s Supreme Court upheld a lower court’s directive to consolidate 15 lawsuits by Hindu activists seeking the right to investigate the possible existence of sacred Hindu places of worship beneath the Shahi Eidgah, a mosque in Mathura. The Court emphasized that the move benefits all parties, by avoiding multiple proceedings and reducing the risk of conflicting judgments. More fundamentally, however, the Court seems to be attempting to safeguard judicial stability at a time of proliferating religious disputes and prevent the escalation of tensions. India is full of mosques established during periods of Islamic rule, between roughly the eleventh and eighteenth centuries. Many Indians believe that Muslim rulers, including the Mughal Empire, often deliberately erected mosques over Hindu temples and shrines that had been looted and destroyed. The issue is a sensitive one in Indian politics, and the family of organizations known as the “Sangh Parivar,” a movement associated with the Hindutva (Hindu-nationalist) cause, has actively stoked passions. For the first four decades after independence, the issue largely simmered on the back burner. But in the 1980s, tensions boiled over, as a popular movement emerged to reclaim the Ram Janmabhoomi – the birthplace of the Hindu deity Lord Rama – in Ayodhya. A long campaign of agitation culminated, in December 1992, with the destruction of a sixteenth-century mosque, the Babri Masjid, by a rampaging mob of Hindutva fanatics. In 2019, after a protracted court case, the Hindu side was given permission to erect a temple on the holy site, which was consecrated last year, while Muslims were awarded a token five acres of land elsewhere to construct a new mosque. In other words, a land dispute that featured the criminal destruction of property was settled in favor of the culprits. The ruling also demanded that Hindus’ religious sentiments be respected – even, apparently, at the expense of the religious sentiments of minorities. Yet those who lost out in the judgment – the Muslims of the area – held their peace. To most Indian Muslims, such disputes are not about specific mosques, but rather about their place in Indian society, and the destruction of the Babri Masjid felt like a betrayal of the compact that underpinned India’s pluralist democracy. But Muslims also hoped that restoring the Ram Janmabhoomi would buy them peace, closing a dispute that had poisoned Hindu-Muslim relations across northern India for a generation and marking the end of efforts to restore prominent Hindu temples the Mughals had allegedly destroyed. No such luck. Hindu chauvinists viewed the Ram Janmabhoomi decision as a triumph for a Hindutva reinterpretation of the Indian national idea. Rather than sating their appetite for destroying mosques, the court’s ruling intensified it. The Babri Masjid was explicitly exempted from the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, which was enacted in 1991 to prevent the emergence of more movements like the one in Ayodhya. Seeking to maintain the religious character of all places of worship in India as they existed on August 15, 1947 – at the time of independence – the Act prohibits the conversion of any place of worship, and bars any related legal proceedings. Despite the Act’s explicit provisions, its implementation faces challenges. For example, a 2022 court order authorizing a video inspection of the Gyanvapi mosque in Varanasi unleashed a flood of copycat cases calling for inspections of various mosques. The litigants argue that, by preventing courts from hearing cases related to the religious character of places of worship, the Act restricts access to justice. This has fueled debates about the Act’s constitutionality and impact on the rights of individuals and communities. William F. Buckley famously wrote that conservatives “stand athwart history, yelling Stop.” But India’s Hindutva nationalists issue history a different directive: “Turn back!” They do so not out of deep reverence for the past, but out of a desire to co-opt history to reshape the present. As the Supreme Court recognizes, if a challenged mosque is found to be built on a demolished temple, demands will inevitably arise for that temple to be restored. Each restored temple would amount to a brick in the construction of a new Hindutva version of India. Already, the ideal of interfaith coexistence has been effectively jettisoned, with Muslims being pushed to the margins of the national narrative. The celebrations at Ayodhya, in which Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the state machinery were openly involved, amounted to a giant step toward the declaration of a state religion. “Hindu Rashtra” is being built before our eyes. History has often been contested terrain in India, but the revival of historical disputes today is an ominous sign. With its decision to consolidate the Mathura lawsuits, the Supreme Court has taken a step to rein in this trend. The Court has also restrained lower courts from entertaining new lawsuits that seek to reclaim religious places – particularly by targeting mosques and dargahs that are allegedly built over temple ruins – and from issuing orders on pending cases. But the Supreme Court must go further. Replacing old mosques with new versions of older temples does not right old wrongs; it perpetrates new ones. Faded scars become gaping wounds. Unless the judiciary puts a firm stop to these disputes, Muslims might start to resist. A new wave of communal violence will only spawn new hostages to history, with future generations being taught about yet more wrongs they must set right. The Hindutva movement is happy to use history as cannon fodder. But their obsession with undoing the past is imperilling India’s future. *************** India’s voice must resonate in global AI conversations, 8th February 2025, The Hindu. In November 2024, a postgraduate student in Michigan, United States, had a disturbing interaction while discussing elderly care solutions with Google’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) chatbot, Gemini. After some hours of discussing problems of old age, the chatbot suddenly snapped, issuing a blunt and alarming message: “This is for you, human....You are a waste of time and resources....You are a stain on the universe. Please die.” Did anyone realise AI could behave like that? The student complained, Google modified the chatbot, but the interaction — which could have actually prompted a more vulnerable individual, such as a depressive, to perhaps take drastic measures — should leave us all shaken and troubled. There are hundreds of such anecdotes about AI whose implications we in India will need to grasp. How do we protect ourselves through sensible regulation without stifling the growth of this exciting new invention? AI is reshaping industries, economies, and geopolitics, transcending national borders with data, algorithms, and innovations flowing seamlessly across regions. In this interconnected landscape, effective governance and safety mechanisms require a unified international approach. For India, participating in global standard-setting on AI safety is not just an opportunity but an imperative. But, India has not even established a national AI safety institute. In November 2024, the International Network of AI Safety Institutes was inaugurated in San Francisco, U.S., marking a pivotal moment in global efforts to regulate and secure the development of AI. Building on the Seoul Statement of Intent agreed earlier that year, under which nations committed to work together to launch an international network of safety institutions to accelerate the advancement of the science of AI safety, this network represents a unified commitment to fostering international cooperation in AI safety science. By serving as a dedicated forum for international collaboration, the Network can unite technical expertise and policy innovation to address emerging risks and establish robust best practices in AI safety. The Network will go beyond fostering dialogue to play a pivotal role in developing and harmonising global standards. India, so far, is sadly absent from this vital forum. The borderless nature of AI AI transcends national borders, operating through the seamless flow of data, algorithms, and innovations across regions. Its global sweep means none of us is immune from its impact. Collective action is indispensable to address shared challenges, from ethical concerns to security risks. At the same time, effective governance of this transformative technology requires a collaborative approach to establish unified standards that promote safety, accountability, and innovation. India’s participation in such global discussions is not just desirable but essential. As one of the world’s fastest adopters of AI, with an adoption rate of 30%, significantly higher than the global average of 26%, according to a recent Boston Consulting Group (BCG) report, India stands at the forefront of leveraging AI for transformative change across sectors such as health care, finance, agriculture, and logistics. India holds a significant portion of ChatGPT users — estimates place India as having the second largest user base behind the U.S., with around 10% of global ChatGPT users from India. A recent survey ranked India first among the percentage of consumers using ChatGPT. Clearly, we are major adopters of AI. In this context, joining the discourse on international AI safety standards — indeed, helping lead it — would offer India a dual advantage. First, we must ensure that India’s AI ecosystem remains secure, ethical, and globally competitive. Second, it is in our national interest to position India as a responsible technology leader on the world stage, committed to safeguarding individual rights and advancing AI responsibly. Collaborative efforts with other nations on a multilateral level will enable India to anticipate emerging threats, adapt to regulatory shifts, and maintain its competitive edge in the global AI race. To do this, India needs to create a national institution urgently, and pitch it into the fray. The intersection of politics and technology The intersection of AI and geopolitics is becoming ever more pronounced, as seen in recent proposals by the U.S. to impose export controls on advanced AI software. Such measures, while rooted in American national security concerns about China, have the potential to reshape the global technology landscape, disrupting international scientific collaborations and altering the dynamics of innovation. India is the “non-China” for now, but there is no guarantee it will be exempt from such controls indefinitely. Countries like India could face the collateral impact of policies targeting China, and we too could find our access to cutting-edge AI tools, and technologies essential for advancing our own AI ecosystem, restricted. It is clear we cannot afford to remain a passive observer in this shifting landscape. These developments further underscore the urgency of participating in international platforms such as the International Network of AI Safety Institutes — to advocate balanced frameworks that protect legitimate security interests while preserving the spirit of collaboration. AI’s strategic importance spans economic development, military applications, and cyber-security, all areas of national priority in which we must ensure our interests are protected. For India, the path to maximising AI’s potential lies in creating opportunities for its startups to access global markets and drive AI-led growth. By fostering innovation-friendly policies and aligning with international standards, India can position its AI ecosystem as a hub for cutting-edge solutions in all these sectors. Proactive engagement in global AI safety initiatives will further enhance India’s ability to shape equitable frameworks that support global collaboration and transparency. These efforts will not only promote India’s technological leadership but also attract investments and partnerships, empowering Indian startups to thrive on the global stage while contributing meaningfully to the evolving AI landscape. Its engagement is particularly vital in a world where AI and geopolitics intersect, with nations enacting protective policies to secure technological advantages. Leveraging India’s strengths India’s vibrant AI ecosystem, fuelled by its robust IT sector and talent pool, makes it a critical player in the global AI dialogue. Moreover, India’s experience in navigating the complexities of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) initiatives such as Aadhaar and the Unified Payments Interface have demonstrated how inclusive, interoperable, and scalable systems can transform lives, enabling economic growth and social inclusion at unprecedented levels. These successes of our “Tech Stack” highlight India’s ability to navigate the complexities of large-scale technological implementation while ensuring accessibility and equity. Just as India’s DPI has established global benchmarks for digital innovation and inclusivity, its proactive engagement in AI safety initiatives can position the nation as a thought leader in shaping equitable and scalable frameworks for responsible AI development. In a world where AI is increasingly at the centre of economic and geopolitical strategies, India must take an active role in shaping its future. As the adage goes, in global politics, you are either at the table, or on the menu. Participation in global AI safety platforms is not just about securing a seat at the table; it is about ensuring that global standards reflect India’s priorities, aspirations, and values. By engaging proactively, India can protect its interests, foster cross-border innovation, and position itself as a global leader in AI governance. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now. For India, embracing this responsibility is essential to navigating the opportunities and challenges of the AI revolution while ensuring a secure, inclusive, and prosperous future for all. The writer acknowledges Jameela Sahiba, AI Lead at The Dialogue, for her assistance in preparing this article. *************** Honouring Dr Manmohan Singh as Parliament reconvenes. 1st February 2025, Mathrubhumi. Soon after this article appears, on February 1, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman will present her eighth Budget (six annual and two interim budgets). She will not fail to remind us of India’s economic achievements on her watch. From navigating the global financial crisis to rebounding strongly after the disruptions of COVID-19, the resilience of our economy is undeniable. Between 2016 and 2023, startups alone contributed a staggering 10–15 percent to GDP growth, underscoring their role as the driving force behind India’s economic engine. According to the Confederation of Indian Industry, these entrepreneurial ventures are projected to generate a trillion dollars for the economy and create fifty million new jobs by the fiscal year 2029–2030. This remarkable trajectory of growth and innovation owes much to a transformative moment in India’s history, guided by the luminous intellect and steadfast resolve of a statesman whose loss we mourn today, whose vision reshaped the nation’s destiny. In 1991, Dr. Manmohan Singh, then Finance Minister, stood in Parliament and declared that “no power on earth could stop an idea whose time had come.” With those words, he not only heralded a new economic dawn but also embodied a quiet, unyielding determination to steer India out of the shadows of stagnation and into an era of global relevance. Dr Manmohan Singh giving final touches to the Budget documents in his office in New Delhi on February 27, 1996 Today, as we reflect on his profound legacy, we are met with the solemn reality of his passing at the end of the year—a loss that resonates deeply across the nation. Dr. Singh was more than the architect of India’s economic resurgence; he was a living testament to the enduring Idea of India, one rooted in service, intellect, and compassion. His reforms did not just liberalise the economy; they liberated millions of Indians to dream bigger, aspire higher, and thrive. Even as we navigate an ever-changing economic and political landscape, his contributions remain the foundation of much that we celebrate today. At this sombre juncture, we pay tribute to a leader whose courage and humility will continue to inspire generations, reminding us that true greatness lies not just in transforming economies but in uplifting lives. Dr. Singh did not just craft economic policies; he laid the foundation for a transformed India. As Finance Minister in 1991, he courageously dismantled the license-permit-quota raj, liberalizing an economy constrained by regulation and inefficiency. His visionary reforms not only averted a full-blown economic crisis but opened up avenues for trade, innovation, and investment that would fuel India’s growth for decades to come. The seeds sown by Dr. Singh resulted in a flourishing private sector, job creation across industries, and a burgeoning middle class that today powers the engine of our nation’s progress. Yet, it would be myopic to view him solely as the architect of India’s economic liberalisation. Dr. Singh understood that for economic freedom to have meaning, it must translate into social and political empowerment. His vision was inclusive, his leadership transformative. Under his stewardship as Prime Minister, India saw unprecedented efforts to reduce inequality and empower the marginalised. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme bolstered rural incomes and purchasing power, anchoring India’s economy amidst global uncertainty. His government introduced the Aadhaar scheme, providing a digital identity to millions of Indians who had previously been invisible to the state, thus strengthening their access to welfare and services. Moreover, the Right to Information Act of 2005 epitomises Dr. Singh’s commitment to participatory democracy. By empowering citizens to hold public officials accountable, this landmark legislation deepened the transparency of governance and the trust of the governed. The Right to Education Act of 2009 brought millions of children into classrooms, investing in the human capital that would define India’s future. These initiatives remain vibrant testimonies to his belief in a more equal, just, and educated India. Even today, under the very different stewardship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the frameworks established by Dr. Singh continue to endure and thrive. Programs like Aadhaar have expanded, MGNREGA remains a lifeline for rural India, and the liberalised economy he unlocked continues to draw international investment. His legacy serves as the foundation upon which successive governments have built—his policies not tethered to partisan boundaries but imbued with the universality of their vision. Today, as I pause to reflect, I am reminded of the indelible mark Dr. Manmohan Singh has left on India’s economic trajectory. With a quiet yet resolute vision, he steered the nation away from the stifling embrace of protectionism and into the dynamic currents of global markets. His policies, crafted with precision and foresight, not only transformed the Indian economy but also elevated its standing on the world stage. Dr. Singh’s legacy is one of pragmatic reform, intellectual rigor, and a deep belief in India’s potential to rise. It is a legacy that endures, not merely in the statistics of growth but in the continuing promise of a prosperous, modern India. As we reflect on the profound transformation Dr. Singh has brought to India, it's impossible to ignore the remarkable changes within our economy that he helped set into motion. His vision for economic progress laid the foundation for what has now become an entrepreneurial renaissance, a movement that has not only reshaped our economic landscape but positioned India as a leader on the global stage. The surge of innovation and entrepreneurship, especially in the last two decades, speaks to the indelible impact of his policies, which have nurtured an environment where businesses and ideas can thrive. As Parliament reconvenes in fractured and fractious times, when divisive ideologies threaten to overshadow the spirit of collective progress, Dr. Singh’s life serves as a clarion call. He reminds us that governance must be an act of service, not of spectacle, and that true leadership lies in lifting others to greater heights. His steadfast and selfless service exalted every Indian and transformed India into a more resilient, equitable, and empowered nation. As we enter the Budget session of Parliament, let us bow our heads in remembrance of the man who, 24 Budgets ago, made it possible for all of us to dream of a different India.