Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has replaced the name India with a Sanskrit word in dinner invitations sent to guests attending this week’s Group of 20 summit, in a move that reflects his Hindu nationalist party’s efforts to eliminate what it sees as colonial-era names.
Disputes over “India” versus “Bharat” have gained ground since opposition parties in July announced a new alliance — called INDIA — to unseat Modi and defeat his party ahead of national elections in 2024. The acronym stands for Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance. Since then, some officials in Modi’s party have demanded that the country be called Bharat instead of India.
Ahh. Ok.
So the push for “Bharat” is kinda-sorta like the Indian (heh, fuck you, Modi) spin on MAGA, at least in intent.