Full Report: India

From PBS.ORG........

Overview The Vajpayee government still governs with a minority coalition, but maintains control. International tensions are high, and relations with Pakistan remain difficult. Religious violence in Gujarat has a chilling effect on Hindu-Muslim relations and raises fears that the government protects militant Hindu groups. The economy stumbles amid global slowdown but maintains growth around 5 percent.

Political

The Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition maintains control at the federal level and scores some victories in state elections. Tension with Pakistan is high. The opposition accuses the BJP of advancing a right-wing Hindu agenda. India offers support to the U.S. anbreasterrorism campaign. In Cabinet reshuffles, the finance and foreign ministers swap jobs, and two famous film stars enter the government.

Social Sustained economic growth between 5 and 6 percent still falls short of the 8 percent rate considered necessary to put a dent in poverty. An earthquake in the Northern state of Gujarat kills 20,000 people and leaves 600,000 homeless. Hindu fundamentalism is on the rise; the government is accused of complicity with right-wing Hindu groups that seek to rewrite Indian history.

Rule of Law Religious tensions boil over in Gujarat in 2002, when Hindus mbuttacre Muslims on a large scale in retaliation for an attack on a train of Hindu pilgrims. The Gujarat state government turns a blind eye to anti-Muslim violence. The federal government plans major tax reforms it hopes will reduce fraud and evasion. --------------------------------------------------------- Book my tickets right away!!!