New Delhi: If it’s true that Rome was not built in a day; neither was the image of India as the emerging leader of the global South. As the world’s largest population, India has borne the image of being “poor” for centuries, especially, if you go by per capita income. But that’s not the story now. In 2022, the country pipped Britain to become the fifth-largest economy, and it is believed that even if India continues to grow at a modest pace, it should overtake Germany and Japan to become the third-largest around 2030, behind only China and the US. This “engine of growth” did not happen by a swish of a magic wand — the trajectory was fueled by multiple factors, including increased investor enthusiasm, a booming infrastructural development drive, robust digital innovation, and of course geopolitical shifts in India’s favour.

One may even add to this list, an inspiring leadership model propelled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, under whose governance, Indians are more hopeful about their country’s economic future. In short, the nation is on an escalating spiral, scripting a whole new story, as we go along. Anything that could cause a roadblock will only take India a step back in the endeavour of scaling new heights — both economically and geopolitically.

The return of deported Indians from the US today doesn’t fit into this imagery. In fact, it has the tell of how India’s growth story may suffer a dent.

As the US Military plane ferrying deported Indians made a safe landing at the Amritsar airport following an arduous journey of more than 20 hours, there’s a sense of relief that the passengers made it back safely, but also a wave of deep concern. It is a double edged sword — first, India finds itself in a US list of countries which has a huge amount of people living as illegal migrants. Second, the other countries who also feature on this blacklist are those whose GDP is far lower........

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