Modi and Trump Face the Challenge of Wounded Power

Pratap Bhanu Mehta compares Narendra Modi and Donald Trump.

He says both leaders became powerful by presenting themselves as answers to many problems.

Their supporters once believed they could do almost anything right.

Now, economic and governing problems have weakened that image.

The United States is worried about debt, prices, jobs, tariffs and uncertainty.

India is worried about unemployment and social discontent despite strong official growth figures.

Mehta says both leaders may remain in power for another two or three years.

He warns that weaker authority does not necessarily mean less willingness to use state power.

This combination could create a difficult political challenge.