On February 19, 2025, Dr. Subramanian Swamy, a veteran Indian politician, economist, and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, took to X to voice a blistering critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In a post that has sparked widespread discussion, Dr. Swamy declared,
This statement, reflects Dr. Swamy’s longstanding reputation as an outspoken critic, even within his own political circles, and raises questions about Modi’s leadership, India’s geopolitical stance, and economic trajectory.
Dr. Swamy’s Background: A Voice of Dissent
Subramanian Swamy, a Harvard-educated economist and former Cabinet Minister, is known for his Hindu nationalist leanings, legal activism, anti-corruption crusade and progressive economic ideas. This post is continuation of a pattern that is consistent with Dr. Swamy's ultra-nationalist views. It also reflects failure of opposition to hold ruling party accountable on various burning issues.
The China Border Dispute: Fact or Fiction?
Central to Dr. Swamy’s critique is the claim that Modi “gave away thousands of India’s undisputed land to China”. Since the deadly 2020 Galwan Valley clash, which claimed the lives of 20 Indian and four Chinese soldiers, the two nuclear-armed neighbors have been locked in a military standoff. While no definitive territorial losses have been officially acknowledged by the Indian government, Dr. Swamy has stated that Modi government has ceded 4,067 sq km of grazing lands and strategic areas in Ladakh to China.
Satellite imagery, local testimonies, and official documents collectively suggest significant territorial losses in Ladakh to China since 2020. High-resolution satellite images reveal permanent Chinese structures, such as military outposts and roads, extending beyond previous LAC alignments, notably in Pangong Tso and Depsang Plains, indicating a fortified presence. Local herders, like Lopzang Dadul from Chushul, corroborate this, reporting traditional grazing lands now inaccessible due to Chinese troops and Indian military barriers, shrinking their livelihoods. A January 2023 Ladakh Police research paper further bolsters the case, documenting India’s loss of presence at 26 out of 65 Patrolling Points, attributing it to restricted patrolling and buffer zones that favor Chinese control. Together, these sources paint a picture of incremental but tangible territorial erosion along the LAC.
Economic Woes: Has Modi “Wrecked” India’s Economy?
Dr. Subramanian Swamy has claimed that India’s economic growth rate is languishing at 4-5% per annum, a stark contrast to the government’s more optimistic projections. This assertion, often discussed in platforms like the VHS Gyan Ganga Sunday show, aligns with his critique of official GDP figures, which he argues are inflated due to methodological flaws and over-reliance on corporate supply-side data rather than demand-side realities. Dr. Swamy contends that post-2020 recovery figures (e.g., 7.9% average growth since 2021) mask structural weaknesses, such as stagnant rural consumption and unemployment, which he highlights in VHS discussions with experts like Dr. M.R. Venkatesh. These sessions often cite the contraction in household consumption growth and the failure to create the 90 million non-farm jobs needed by 2030 for sustainable 8-8.5% GDP growth, per McKinsey estimates, lending credence to Dr. Swamy’s argument that the real growth rate hovers closer to 4-5%, burdened by policy missteps and an uneven post-pandemic rebound.
“Crawling Before Trump”: Foreign Policy Under Scrutiny
Dr. Swamy’s characterization suggests subservience, contrasting with Modi’s public image as an assertive leader on the global stage. The timing of Dr. Swamy’s post, just days after the Trump-Modi meeting, underscores his skepticism about Modi’s foreign policy, particularly as India navigates its role in forums like BRICS and Quad while managing U.S.-China rivalry.
Facing pressure from U.S. indictments against Adani for a $250 million bribery scheme, Modi reportedly acquiesced to President Donald Trump’s trade demands, agreeing to lower tariffs on U.S. goods and committing to billions in purchases of American oil, gas, and F-35 jets—moves seen as concessions to deflect attention from Adani’s legal troubles.
Conclusion: A Call for Accountability or Political Theater?
Subramanian Swamy’s February 19, 2025, X post is a reflection of broader tensions within India’s political landscape. His claims about territorial losses to China, economic mismanagement, and subservience to the U.S. tap into ongoing debates about Modi’s leadership.
Dr. Swamy’s stature lends weight to his critique. For India, the issues Dr. Swamy raises—border security, economic stability, and foreign policy—are critical to its future.
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