India’s claim to economic leadership of the region stands hugely compromised.Such roles demand credibility, restraint, and inclusion qualities that are undermined when domestic politics spill into public spectacle.Much is said today about geo-economics, global vision, and values-based leadership. Yet in practice, India’s regional posture increasingly relies on toxic provocation rather than strategic confidence.

Recent incidents have drawn attention to how identity politics and antagonistic signalling have begun to overshadow India’s economic narrative. A widely circulated video showing Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar pulling the niqab of a Muslim woman doctor during a public appointment ceremonysparked sharp criticism. Such moments, however fleeting, reverberate far beyond domestic politics, shaping perceptions of social tolerance, institutional maturity, and political intent.

Cultural messaging has followed a similar trajectory. An Indian film released in December 2025 has faced criticism for its factually inaccurate and sensationalised portrayal of Karachi’s Lyari district, reinforcing stereotypes rather than engaging with reality. When popular culture is mobilised to caricature neighbours which is now an Indian norm, it does not remain benign storytelling it becomes political messaging and maligning the other.

These are not isolated optics. They directly contradict the language of regional cooperation and economic integration that New Delhi espouses on global platforms. Geo-economics cannot coexist with performative exclusion, nor can regional ties be built on narratives that alienate communities and neighbours alike.

South Asia’s integration as a region remains a pipe dream, despite the formulation of SAARC in 1985. The global economy itself has shifted from globalization to slowbalization, marked by protectionism, economic nationalism, and the........

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