“India grows at night while the government sleeps” is an Indian expression referring to the country’s impressive economic rise despite the presence of a large, burdensome state. Gurcharan Das will explain how India’s story of private success and public failure is not sustainable and that the country’s recent growth slowdown signals the need for a strong liberal state that would ensure accountability, perform limited and well‐​defined functions, and base itself on the rule of law. Swami Aiyar will discuss contemporary Indian society and the prospects of Das’s proposals.