Prime Minister Modi’s call for an Atma Nirbhar Bharat (self-dependent India) is not claptrap. It is a call for a comprehensive civilisational self-renewal. It articulates India’s engagement with the world at a time when the contours and narrative of globalisation are being sharply debated and examined. When public intellectuals speak of an unfortunate return to a fortress existence, when many speak of isolationism and falling back upon oneself, the PM speaks of being self-reliant but not self-centred and a future of “togetherness and resilience”. He talks about delineating India’s trajectory in shaping a post-COVID-19 world order.