There is no meaningful change in Modi’s cabinet, with key ministries still held by the BJP. All those ministers who have till recently played key role in setting domestic agenda revolving around Hidutva militancy and those who ran foreign policy retain their ministerial portfolios.

What does this trend suggest? An unwillingness to address the communal tensions and move towards inclusive governance in the context of Indian internal politics and continuation of no contact with Pakistan and no stopping to countering China while benefiting from China-US competition. So far this policy has helped Modi to secure the rare third term, and there is no pressure on his government to change it.

With Ajit as home minister Doval as the national security advisor, Jaishankar as foreign Minister and Yogi as UP chief minister tend to strengthen the view that the policies witnessed in last two tenures would not undergo any drastic change. This presumption will only perpetuate the state of enmity between India and its neighbors, undermining regional stability and economic development. Without a genuine dialogue and concessions to all parties, the prospects for improved cross-border connectivity and economic cooperation remain bleak.

The BJP, the ruling Hindu has played critical role in perpetuating religious extremism and intolerance towards religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians. In fact, it implemented policies and rhetoric rooted in Hindutva ideology, which seeks to establish Hindu supremacy and marginalize non-Hindu communities in complete defiance of........

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