But Indians’ decision to use the term Bharat for the official invitation sparked speculation that Narendra Modi, the ultranationalist prime minister, might consider abandoning the English name that has been used to describe the country: India.
In recent years, Modi has led a government with strong nationalist tendencies, leading to clashes with the country’s Muslims and other minorities. But he also gradually removed all British symbols from everyday Indian life.
The term Bharat comes from ancient Hindu scriptures written in Sanskrit. The term also appears in the country’s constitution and in several situations Indians use one or the other term indiscriminately.
But Modi called for a special session of Parliament at the end of the month to address the issue. Analysts point out that one of the speculations is that the ultranationalist government will officially propose to preferably use the name Bharat instead of India.
His party claims that the name most commonly used today is still a “symbol of slavery” as introduced by London, which ruled the territory for two centuries and until 1947.