'India has every right to get rich. But it needs a new way to do it'

Jun 11, 2026 | 13:39 IST

Image: AI

The West got rich first and now wants the rest of the world to go slow — but that bargain will not hold. India’s challenge is to get the good life without copying the mess that made the planet dangerous

Thomas Piketty is Professor at EHESS and the Paris School of Economics. Author of works like ‘Capital and Ideology’, Piketty spoke from Paris with Times Evoke about the Global Justice Project and its new findings on how most of us can grow more affluent — without wrecking Earth.

TOI

TOI

'India has every right to get rich. But it needs a new way to do it'

The West got rich first and now wants the rest of the world to go slow — but that bargain will not hold. India’s challenge is to get the good life without copying the mess that made the planet dangerous

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

Your Privacy is Important to us

Opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information

TOI

'India has every right to get rich. But it needs a new way to do it'

The West got rich first and now wants the rest of the world to go slow — but that bargain will not hold. India’s challenge is to get the good life without copying the mess that made the planet dangerous

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h3}}}

{{{offerprice}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}

{{{h1}}}

{{h2}}