Manufacturing a “Vishwaguru”

The Balloon of Propaganda: Manufacturing a “Vishwaguru” The balloon of propaganda carefully inflated to present a “10th-fail Vishwaguru” now appears to be losing air rather rapidly. It can now be said, without much doubt, that Modi’s trademark hugging and khi-kheing diplomacy has done little to strengthen India’s foreign policy. The grand project of becoming a “Vishwaguru”—or at least projecting India as one—seems to have collapsed precisely at a moment when the world is navigating serious geopolitical crises. Meanwhile, the very voices that once mocked Pakistan as a mere dalaal might now find themselves awkwardly chewing on their own words—perhaps even licking back the spit with which they were delivered. In the shifting theatre of global politics, India oddly appears to be sitting alone in a corner while even smaller nations manage to find a seat at the table. One wonders: will our leaders ever reflect on their mistakes and adjust their approach? Perhaps by replacing the endless hugging and theatrical laughter with the calm, measured language expected from a serious head of state—rather than the performance of a diplomatic clown. And so the image becomes almost symbolic: a self-proclaimed “Vishwaguru” sitting somewhat awkwardly at the edge of the gathering while even smaller or less loudly self-advertised states manage to carve out meaningful diplomatic roles. The question that remains is not merely about one leader’s style but about the broader culture that elevated spectacle over strategy. Will there ever be a moment of reflection? Will those who celebrated every hug, every laugh, and every carefully staged summit finally begin asking harder questions about results? Perhaps true leadership on the world stage requires something far less theatrical: quieter diplomacy, deeper preparation, institutional strength, and the humility to listen before claiming to teach the world. Until then, the balloon of propaganda may continue to float for domestic consumption—but outside the studio lights, the air inside it seems to be steadily escaping.