Portrait of George Soros
Business · person
Wikipedia (opens in new tab)

George Soros on Modi

Vocal critic of democracy (strong)

TL;DR

George Soros strongly criticizes Narendra Modi's government for undermining open democratic society through Hindu nationalism and specific policies.

Key Points

  • He explicitly criticized the Modi government for inciting violence against Muslims, which he deemed an important factor in the leader's rise to power (February 2023).

  • He described the Modi-led government's actions as the "biggest and most frightening setback" to the survival of open societies worldwide.

  • His Open Society Foundations noted that its grant-making in India has been constrained by government restrictions since mid-2016.

Summary

George Soros has taken a strongly critical stance against the government led by Narendra Modi, characterizing its actions as the "biggest and most frightening setback" to open societies globally. This core position stems from specific concerns, notably citing the implementation of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the imposition of punitive measures in Kashmir, a semi-autonomous Muslim region. He explicitly stated that Modi, despite being democratically elected, is creating a Hindu nationalist state, a process which he believes threatens to disenfranchise millions of Muslims by potentially revoking their citizenship. He made these remarks while addressing the World Economic Forum in Davos, framing the rise of nationalism in India as a major enemy of the open society concept he champions.

This criticism is contextualized within Soros’s broader global concern regarding the rise of authoritarian rulers and nationalism. Following Soros’s comments in early 2023 regarding the Adani Group crisis, which he suggested would weaken Modi’s governmental “stranglehold,” the ruling party in India responded with intense condemnation, accusing the financier of intending to interfere in India's democratic processes. Soros’s foundation also noted that its grant-making activities in India have been constrained by government restrictions since mid-2016, indicating a prolonged friction between his ideological aims and the ruling government's policies.

Key Quotes

“India is… a democracy. But its leader, Narendra Modi, is no democrat. Inciting violence against Muslims was an important factor in his meteoric rise.”

Frequently Asked Questions

George Soros holds a strongly negative position on Prime Minister Modi, accusing him of moving India away from democracy toward a Hindu nationalist state. He sees this development as a major threat to open societies internationally.

Soros has made notable public criticisms of the Modi government, including speaking out at the World Economic Forum in January 2020. He reiterated his criticisms in February 2023, particularly concerning alleged cronyism and authoritarianism.

The financier's criticism centers on the perceived authoritarian drift under Modi, specifically pointing to issues like the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and the situation in Kashmir. He views these actions as contrary to the principles of an open society.