India’s election will be the biggest democratic exercise in history, with 900 million people eligible to vote. To help the business and policy community to better understand the issues that will influence the election’s outcome, Asia House held a roundtable discussion in partnership with the University of Nottingham’s Asia Research Institute.

Katharine Adeney, Professor and Director of the University of Nottingham Asia Research Institute, was joined by Dr Carole Spary, Assistant Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Nottingham and Savi Hebbur, Partner at Linklaters, Mainstream Corporate and India Group, London, to discuss the factors directing the course of the world’s largest democracy.

In a broad discussion chaired by Asia House Director of Corporate Affairs, Charlie Humphreys, key election issues such as Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s reform record, likely coalition scenarios, geopolitical tensions with Pakistan and gender and labour affairs were all explored.

Ed Ratcliffe, Head of Asia House Advisory, also joined the discussion, offering analysis on India’s economic performance and business environment.