Congress's fall from power should have been an opportunity for India. To turn from the arrogance of the Indian educated elites to pragmatism by the less elite leaders. But alas, India chose these less elites leaders who are just delusional Hindutva buffoons. Easily corrupted by the established elites, and are even more arrogant, with delusions that India is a Supapowar Hindu Empire. As long as India thinks itself as exceptional, there can be no serious effort to improve themselves.
Is there such a thing as 'less elite leaders'?
Despite the restrictions postulated by the constitution, casteism is a very powerful vector in Indian society, and the ruling authority have always been from the upper castes (including Modi, who pretended to be from a lower caste to get votes).
Some Hindu religious scripture are explicit and very strict on the roles attributed to each caste. Lower castes are borne to serve the upper and in some instances, not even permitted to share resources. Rape is also prohibited by law but we all know how rampant it is. There are religious elements in the scripture that propagate both rape and casteism; for example, the supreme being (Brahma) in Sanatan (actual type of Hinduism practiced by most "Hindus") impregnated his daughter Saraswati against her will. From this you can relate where Indians find the boldness to rape others.
Lower castes do not really possess much authority (nor education) or resources to challenge the status quo that is thousands of years old. It also explains why Hindus, specifically the upper castes, hate Muslims so much, because the introduction of Islam to the subcontinent offered the lower castes emancipation (Islam prohibits castes), thereby reducing the number of people permanently stuck in servitude.
I don't see that caste attitude changing in Indians, even after learning modern education and irreligious upbringing. Even in Indian expats I've seen in North America and Europe, the casteism is strong. The concept is very, very deeply embedded into the culture, so much so that even some Muslims from the subcontinent will adhere to it despite their religion strictly forbidding it.
You can understand then why India always aligns itself with the likes of British and Israelis, whom also practice something akin to casteism.
With this in mind, one can understand why Indians (specifically the rulers) like to boast and pretend that they are some big shit. They have to convince the lower castes that their servitude is reaping big results, lest the latter learn the reality and revolt.