US media underlines challenges after Modi's one-year rule

Reflecting on the completion of one year of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government, the US media on Monday underlined various challenges facing his government, saying he "must face the reality that much of his agenda is still only potential".

"After soaring through India's political stratosphere on the economic promise 'achche din aa gaye' or 'better days are coming', Mr. Modi must face the reality that much of his agenda is still only potential," the New York Times said while analysing the achievements of the prime minister's one-year-old government.

While counting Modi's accomplishments in some sectors like allowing more foreign investment in railways and defence sectors and helping cut red tape, The Wall Street Journal said: "On other key fronts, Mr. Modi has moved less decisively, frustrating investors who hoped for bolder change after last year's election."

The NYT pointed out that India is now seen as a bright spot as soon-to-be "the world's fastest-growing large economy," but at home, "job growth remains sluggish".

Listing the political challenges faced by Modi, the US daily said the opposition had blocked "two of his central reform initiatives and brand him 'anti-poor' and 'anti-farmer'".

On the economy front, the Journal said Modi's government has avoided privatising state-run banks and companies, "which could trigger unpopular job cuts".

"Despite vows to improve India's reputation for unpredictable tax collection, the government has hit investors with demands for back taxes they say they shouldn't have to pay," it added.

Analysing Modi's "Make in India" campaign, the Journal said the aim of supercharging manufacturing growth to 12-14 percent a year, "is so far mostly hype". "In the year ended March 31, manufacturing activity expanded by 6.8 percent, from 5.3 percent the previous year, with electricity shortages and congested ports holding back growth," the report said.

According to the daily, foreign institutional investors (FIIs) have pulled around $2 billion out of Indian stocks and bonds in May so far.

"India's benchmark S&P BSE Sensex is among the worst-performing major Asian indexes this year, with a gain of 0.5 percent through Monday. Japan's Nikkei 225 and Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index are up more than 16 percent so far this year," it said.

The NYT said that if Modi was to succeed, "he must cope with a huge, fragmented bureaucracy".