"We’re a nuclear power, a space power. But India also wants to be an economic power,” says a former Indian ambassador. The key growth indicators point to robust expansion.

Business leaders and billionaires in India are in high spirits. With a huge government stimulus program for infrastructure, Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants to turn his vision into reality and make India's economy competitive. 

In November, the government's National Infrastructure Pipeline program had a total value of around 1.4 trillion dollars. According to the economic development agency Germany Trade & Invest, this included around 9,000 individual projects. Modi also wants to attract foreign investors and increase infrastructure spending by 11 per cent. According to Germany Trade & Invest, 134 billion US dollars were earmarked for 2024/2025.

In the current geopolitical situation, India appears to be an interesting economic partner for the West, offering a possible alternative to China. However, critical voices raise doubts.

Economists both inside and outside the country point to devastating inequality and poor education. The country is also struggling to create sufficient jobs for the millions of young people entering its workforce every year.
    
The documentary hears from both sides, provides an overview of the situation, and leaves room for both euphoria and criticism. The film also explores the questions: Is India now ready to free itself from the shackles of its long colonial history and become a reliable partner for the West?
 

Broadcasting Hours:

DW English

MON 09.03.2026 – 09:15 UTC
MON 09.03.2026 – 14:15 UTC
MON 09.03.2026 – 21:15 UTC
TUE 10.03.2026 – 07:15 UTC
WED 11.03.2026 – 12:15 UTC

Lagos UTC +1 | Cape Town UTC +2 | Nairobi UTC +3
Delhi UTC +5,5 | Bangkok UTC +7 | Hong Kong UTC +8
London UTC +/-0 | Berlin UTC +1 | Moscow UTC +3
San Francisco UTC -8 | Edmonton UTC -7 | New York UTC -5
From March 08:
San Francisco UTC -7 | Edmonton UTC -6 | New York UTC -4