“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.