it's crying really and of course a big dream. oh, a big dream for all ukrainians people is finish of the raw and oh william, you're watching the w news coming up next in d, w. news asia, how the region is responding to a rising india made and is it a welcome moved across the pacific. a chat has that story and a lot more coming up after the break. don't forget this. always more news and analysis on our website that we found at the w dot com, also for insta and twitter handle. unique is at the end of the news media, atlanta of contrast, of ambitions of inequality. 75 years ago, mahatma gandhi peacefully led the country to independence, full of ideals. what is remained of his vision with

what's the status of human rights and social justice in what's called the world's largest democracy? we see the ahead. it is the pulpit to unleash on violent pass and re imagine these teachings for relevance to gandhi's legacy starts january 28th on d. w. you're watching d. w 's asia, india marxist national holiday republic day. we take a closer look at the standing in the world and how the region is responding to a rising india. collect will it mean and is it a welcome move across the india pacific? but as india march, this milestone,

it is also be accused of attacking press freedom as the government bans a documentary focusing on the prime minister's role during anti muslim riot in 2002 plus. another film is also causing a stir in india. fans of chevrolet con, are out in force as the megastar and makes his 1st movie in 4 years. but why is it angry? certain groups of people? ah, i melissa chan, thanks for joining us. it's republic day in india, celebrating the establishment of the country's constitution, and there is much fanfare with performances and a display of the country's military. it's a day of pride and in the era of prime minister and to render mowdy all the more

important, given his political parties, brand of hindu nationalism. it's been an important year for india, especially on the world stage with western democracies watching how india chooses to engage with russia and watching how it approaches china. there is no question. the country is a key power that can change the geopolitical dynamic in the asia region. we have managed, jo, she distinguished fellow at the observer research foundation with us. thank you so much for joining the program. there was a recent pull from the u. s. agency morning, consult that said people in india view. china as the country's greatest military threat and not pakistan. now, it's just one poll, but it does indicate quite the shift a can you talk about that?

you know, i would suggest that that is more so all the strategic community, many people who write and comment on strategic affairs, but i think there is still a deep distrust of boston amongst the average indian. so i won't say that we need a little bit more bullying if i put it that way to get an accurate view of the indian public possession. now, why do you think a national security community in india feels that way about china? well, one reason is a box on it, so it's in deep trouble. it has a huge economic problems, political crises, there are all sorts of problems there. on the other hand, we have had a difficult couple of years with china. we had a fairly good relationship, but it all came apart in 2020. and right now there is

a pretty substantial build up going on on both sides of the line of actual control between india and china, a box, the border between india and china. and so therefore, there is a perception in india that china is the big trick now. and as part of this, india has also really into some of its army, which was used to face focused on, has now is know, facing a china. now can you explain how the modi administration fees in his role in the, in their pacific? well, you know, the name of roland in the pacific is somewhat cautious. you know, unlike many other countries like australia, japan, we're not part of a u. s. alarm system. but also, india has a dual nature. it is a continental concrete, as well as an oceanic country. dr. know from the point of view of security,

it is the continental thought, which, what is the india not so much fuel share it? now it is a country, though that is growing in confidence, becoming more important for the region, though in many ways the country has been rather touchy though when it comes to receiving criticism. most recently, a b b c documentary on prime minister modi has been met with a fierce reaction. there have been attempts to band screenings of the film, which looks at moody's role during anti muslim riots in 2002, you can see some of the pictures of demonstrations people protesting against bands of the film. the film alleges that moody, who at the time was the premier at the state of good to rod, turned a blind eye to violence that left at least a 1000 dead. he, of course, dismisses it as propaganda. but i want to share what one student had to say about the ban on the film on

a, everybody know, with this happen again. you know, what the time with this happen again now i'll talk about the regional impact of this. but 1st of all, what do you think about the government's move to band is still well, you know, mr. moody is very sensitive personally to criticism. and this government is otherwise, there has been fairly open to criticism indian leaders in the past. but more mr. more the occupies a kind of a kind of like figure and he feels that anything like this as derogatory to him and his image is affected by a switch

to an events, extremely serious and tragic. and i have so many people, lemonade, you direct links between mr. moody and those events. yeah, this is worth bringing up right now is simply because we're having a conversation about india as a growing regional power. and you know, how critical it is in the world, whether it's with russia, invasion of ukraine and people turning to india to see how the country will position itself. but of course also, india has a very interesting relationship with japan. it's also involved in the quad, which is part of australia, united states, japan. so it's, it's playing a very important role in all these dynamics. and so in this incident, i guess, i mean india is a democracy yet at times it's certainly not acting that way. well

certainly when it puts of it to bands i'm thinking of information is blocked. so that's certainly not a democratic approach. and many of us feel that there is that rising autocratic trend in india, and this is often manifested by, by actions like such bands. now we talk about indian national security concerns both continental and also oceanic and it's rising power. of course also means that people look to the country and do you think india is a model of democracy for the region? well being one of the pure democracies in the region, i would say to model, but i think there needs to also address it's democratic deficits in

a lot of areas you see just being an electoral democracy is not enough just having elections and to select the government is not enough. democracy means much more than that. it means both the liberties, it means freedom of speech and it means accepting uncomfortable or you know, program. you know, the videos like the one the pdc has made. so i think it needs to deeper as democracy much, much more and certainly, you know, we are already a model and, but we'd be a bit more. i think if we did that very last question very quickly. um, what do you think is the most important thing that india can do to, to, to show the region that it is a strong democracy? well, i think certainly that it needs to change it the way it deals with

descent within the country. i think there is a tendency to, to have a kind of a we're, we don't take all approach right in a number of areas i. so i think that is the place where india has a deficit. manage josh and thank you so much for this conversation. ah, well king con is back. bollywood megastar sharon con returns to the big screen after 4 years with his come back, fill baton. the fans are delighted and when review described it as a quote phenomenally entertaining spy thriller that packs a massive punch. but the big budget action movie has angered hindu. right. wingers . whoa! for the movie fans queuing up outside cinemas, emblem by patent tics,

a lot of boxes. bollywood legend king come making a powerful comeback. check hot scenes with heart throb. debbie car, how to cone check songs and special effects galore. check pattern marks a returned to form for the badger emperor of hollywood. his last mega release 0 in 2018 was a box office flop. the 57 year old star has also struggled with personal problems. child as the new law and myself and i won't be with and he was dizzy. i'm totally confused about to say about the hard because i'm very much excited. i movie wise. i don't know how many times with my family on, so i would say, but on is one of the highest grossing foods. it's a important part of this by you, the voice which consists of die go as well as void. and you can see though, my, him, oh yeah, it is just do awesome and it is deserving lethal lake people every day for 5 years

. and finally, i would say it is one, it's what the weight and you know, just going to what to put on is what all i can say despite the movies raucous welcoming mom by baton. has proven controversial with right wing hindus as it features a song by powder cone wearing a saffron bikini saffron as a color associated with hinduism can. meanwhile, whereas a green shirt, which can be read as a reference to islam, the actors, religion, the song was enough to trigger calls for a boycott by hindu right. wingers baton hit cinemas, a day ahead of india's republic day celebrations on immediately smashed box office records. it became the 1st bollywood movie to take in over 100 craw rupees over 11000000 euros on its opening day. it's a welcome success for bollywood which has struggled in recent years to produce the kind of major blockbusters that have made it so successful in india. and an

overseas markets. that's it for thursday. be sure to check out her other stories on d. w dot com for slash asia, or on facebook and twitter. let us know what you think of coverage. my name is melissa chan in berlin. thanks for watching and see you tomorrow. with 2000 kilometers in an electric camper. i check in special with alison and eric below. the dw travel reporters and youtube earth drive across europe on electric power tourist highlight and insider tips,

and electra buying road triple check in on d. w. a thought they will credit a a, a, a a and welcome to the special edition of check in.