THE TALK
As one of two civilizations that is 5000 years old, the promise of India is old: it lies in the centuries old culture, the possibilities of the large and youthful population, the size and potential of the economy, and the capability and capacity of its military. India will be the world’s most populous country by 2024 and the world’s third largest economy by 2028.
However, size of population and a sense of historical greatness are insufficient to guarantee that India will fulfil its ambition to be a global power. In her talk, Aparna Pande will examine the dichotomy that lies at the heart of the Indian nation: its belief in being a great power and yet reluctance to consistently implement policies and take actions that would help it achieve those goals.
Dr Aparna Pande, Scholar
Dr. Aparna Pande is Director of the Initiative on the Future of India and South Asia at the Hudson Institute, Washington D.C. Her major field of interest is South Asia with a special focus on India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Foreign and Security Policy.
Born in India, Pande received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in History from St. Stephens College at Delhi University before receiving an M. Phil in International Relations from Jawaharlal Nehru University. She completed her Ph.D. in Political Science at Boston University in the United States.
Aparna Pande’s books include ‘Making India Great: The Promise of a Reluctant Global Power’ (Harper Collins, 2020), ‘From Chanakya to Modi: The Evolution of India’s Foreign Policy’ (Harper Collins, 2017), ‘Explaining Pakistan’s Foreign Policy: Escaping India’ (Routledge, 2010) and ‘Contemporary Handbook on Pakistan’ (as editor) (Routledge, 2017).
