I spoke with Rachel Lee of SmallCapPower at PDAC 2017 about my contrarian outlook on India’s economy and why I remain deeply skeptical of the country’s optimistic growth narrative.

We discuss the reaction to my earlier comments on India’s education system, why emotional and abusive responses often reveal more than they refute, and why India’s monetary policy, nationalism, political leadership, and institutional weaknesses make sustained economic progress far more difficult than many investors assume.

Watch the full discussion below:

Key Takeaways

• Why I remain pessimistic about India’s economic trajectory.
• How the reaction to criticism of India reveals deeper cultural and educational problems.
• Why India’s monetary policy and political leadership create serious economic risks.
• How nationalism can make honest discussion of India’s problems almost impossible.
• Why India is unlikely to grow as quickly or as smoothly as many experts predict.
• What Indians could do to improve their economic future.