‘Bharat’: What’s in a name?

Leaders meet: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (right) welcoming US President Joe Biden upon his arrival at Bharat Mandapam convention centre for the recent G20 Summit in New Delhi. — AP

THE invitations to a state dinner to mark India’s hosting of the recent 2023 G20 New Delhi Summit came not, as you’d expect, from the office of the president of India, but from the “president of Bharat”. This has prompted speculation from observers both at home and abroad about whether this signifies an official government intention to rename the country.

Some have suggested that the ruling BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) is rattled, and is responding to the adoption of the acronym INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance) by a group of more than two dozen Opposition political parties ahead of the general elections in 2024.