As India and many other countries get ready for parliamentary elections, domestic compulsions and priorities are likely to guide diplomatic manoeuvres
BHARATIYA JANATA PARTY
A big leap if BJP makes a hattrick of winning elections, a feat till now enjoyed by Congress under India’s first Prime Minister Jawahar Lal NehruWith Ram Mandir and Article 370 done, the ruling party will now push for third core issue of uniform civil code, which is currently being tested at the state level
With core objectives of the ruling party nearly achieved, BJP will need new driving issues for the cadre
Can the party breach the southern frontier in its quest to become a pan-India party
INDIA BLOC PARTIESAfter a dismal round of state elections, Congress needs a great leap to be in the reckoning for the 2024 Lok Sabha pollsCongress leader Rahul Gandhi requires leaps of rebranding to be a credible challenger to the ruling dispensation that looks strong
Opposition requires their poll funding to grow by leaps and bounds to match BJP’s election blitz
INDIA parties require faith in each other to stick together and fix issues, including seat-sharing
Opposition parties want VVPATs across all polling stations, but that looks a distant dream
BIJU JANATA DALCan Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik win another term and become the longest-serving chief minister in the country
With Patnaik’s close aide VK Pandian joining the party, can BJD take a generational leap
Can the party continue to maintain equidistance from both BJP and the Opposition alliance
YSR CONGRESS PARTYCan YS Jagan Mohan Reddy repeat the success of his father YSR Rajasekhara Reddy by winning two successive assembly elections at a time when his family members are distancing themselves from the Andhra chief minister
Can YSRCP still be attractive to voters, especially after the loss of BRS in the neighbouring Telangana
Can Jagan Mohan Reddy still maintain cordial ties with BJP at a time when the national party is leaping closer to Opposition Telugu Desam Party in Andhra Pradesh
ELECTION COMMISSIONEVM-VVPAT issue is set to become a political talking point, with Opposition seeking 100% match
Under fire from courts and even within on checking objectionable campaign discourse in 2019 elections, EC will have to be a step ahead to set the tone in 2024
Onus on EC to keep an eye on money flow and check undue influence on voters
Poll panel will have to be alert to deepfakes, AI dangers in distorting election narrative
INTERNAL SECURITYImplementation of the three new criminal laws will be a big challenge
December 2024 deadline to roll out the new laws, first in Union Territories, will require major overhaul in the criminal justice system — from police stations to district courts and prisons
Jammu & Kashmir polls before September 2024 as mandated by Supreme Court will be another challenge
The much-delayed Census and updating National Population Register will require multiple efforts
Re-emergence of Khalistan 2.0, with such elements gaining prominence overseas, another focus area
FOREIGN POLICYFocus on economic diplomacy to attract additional FDI
Fresh investment proposals expected from global players to give the economy a leap
With general elections due in Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, India is expected to make concerted efforts to expand partnerships
Focus on India hosting Quad summit for first time
All eyes on Modi-Putin annual summit, India-UK FTA
India to be watchful of China as it continues expansionist actions in neighbourhood
DEFENCE & EXTERNAL SECURITYThe changing nature of attacks, such as drone attacks on commercial vessels in Red Sea and Indian Ocean, and threats posed by Chinese spy balloons will be key challenges
Can India and China jointly resolve border flashpoints pending since 2020
Having secured orders and support from government, can private industry fulfil requirements of the armed forces under Make in India
Defence exports may take a leap, with Indian systems likely to find orders from Southeast Asian, Central Asian and African countries