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Narendra Modi waving at a crowd

Politics and Identity

The demography of India is one of the most complex in the world. With 22 official languages, more than 2,000 ethnic groups, and every major world religion represented, democratic governance is both enriched and challenged by this diversity.

Indian politics often intersect with the many and varied identities of the Indian electorate. The rise of Hindu nationalism, the success of caste-based parties, and the vitality of regional parties all illustrate the phenomenon of identity politics, and in an era of globalization, it is increasingly important to understand the ways in which politics and identity are linked.

The Georgetown India Initiative engaged the intersection of politics and identity through research, teaching, and outreach activities.

For an overview of Georgetown’s engagement with issues of politics across schools and programs, visit the Global Georgetown website.

U.S. and Indian flags

India Initiative Director Irfan Nooruddin Offers Insights on Prime Minister Modi's Visit to the U.S.

In an interview with Rajdeep Sardesai of India Today, India Initiative Director Dr. Irfan Nooruddin offers his insights on Prime Minister Modi's meeting with President Trump within the context of the U.S.-India bilateral partnership.

Events

People driving in Mumbai
Feb
24
2020

Political Networks and Party Machines in Urbanizing India

Tariq Thachil visited Georgetown University to speak about his work on party machines in distributive politics and how party leaders select local staffers in India. Thachil discussed his working paper “How Patrons Select Brokers: Efficacy and Loyalty in Urban Indian Machines,” as well as a chapter…

Features

Videos

An Evening of Mystical Sufi Music with Zila Khan (Video)

September 16, 2018

Duration: 2 hours 8 minutes

Narakasura Vadham (Video)

November 20, 2017

Duration: 1 hour 11 minutes

Dr. L. Subramaniam Live in Concert (Video)

September 11, 2017

Duration: 1 hour 27 minutes