In the cacophony of global politics, India once again finds itself at the center of a storm brewed by the West’s misguided and misjudged interference into the country’s democratic framework. Thus ignoring that the new India is built on the principles of cooperation and collaboration – sabka saath, sabka vikas, sabka vishwas (Together with all, development for all and the trust of all).
The Western media’s penchant for sensationalism through propagandist stories specifically when it comes to writing about India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi is not hidden. Recent reports emanating from the heart of Western intelligence agencies, allegedly leaked from Five Eyes spooks, have attempted to paint a grim picture of India’s counter-terrorism efforts. In fact, Kanwal Sibal, a former Indian Foreign Secretary and Ambassador, has called it “a masterclass in Yellow Journalism” that “is full of innuendoes, speculation, tentative assessments and distortions…[with] no qualms in pushing a narrative to serve a political purpose in connivance with US agencies.”
On the coverage of India in Western media, Dr Om Dwivedi says that many of “these headlines are not only racial but also prejudiced, teeming as they do with self-serving ideologies.” In fact, he adds, “the pot-bellied colonial ego comes out forcefully in some of the headlines.”
At the forefront of these unscrupulous and unethical allegations is the insidious insinuation that Indian intelligence agency, Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), is running amok, conducting covert operations on foreign soil just like a Hollywood or Bollywood spy universe film.
The timing of these alleged intel leaks and so-called investigative reports lacking credible proof published in the Western media raises suspicions. It’s apparent that certain elements within the Five Eyes intelligence alliance, comprising Canada, the UK, the US, Australia, and New Zealand, are attempting to rein in India’s burgeoning influence on the global stage.
A naive South Asia expert sitting in the ivory tower of Western university may ask: If the Five Eyes were really bent on “defanging” India’s counter-terror and intel apparatus do you really think a newspaper scoop is how they’d do it?
In this era of social media, truth often takes a backseat to biased narratives and popular opinion. Sadly, yes, that’s precisely how things are done now with every effort made to push the narrative about democracy backsliding in India, the rise of Hindutva and authoriatarianism under Modi.
With PM Modi poised for a potential third term, Modi 3.0, the fear of India’s ascension into a higher economic, national growth and global leadership trajectory looms large. Many perceive the Five Eyes’ partnership with India in various groupings as primarily aimed at addressing the “China problem,” with a reluctance to share leadership role with a nation that helped them in the last decade in stabilising the Global South.
Some experts popular on social media argue that India’s accusations of Western media and think-tanks are biased is unfounded, suggesting instead that these are independent institutions simply scrutinizing the country objectively.
The last I checked, Economist Intelligence Unit categorized India as a “flawed democracy,” V-Dem labelled it as an “electoral autocracy,” Freedom House assessed it as “partially free,” Australia-India Institute described the Modi governemnt as “authoritarian populism.” Prof. Salvatore Babones has shown how the these major international evaluations of Indian democracy are “suffused with wanton speculation, misleading statistics, and uncritical reproductions of activist accusations” against PM Modi thus pointing to “intentional deception.” These organizations have become politicized themselves, diminishing the credibility that initially elevated their prestige in the non-Western world.
Further, many anti-ndia and anti-Modi reports have been published by public broadcasters of Canada, the UK, the US, Australia, and New Zealand. Also, the Western media is not “independent” as it is often portrayed due to its high rate of publishing paid op-eds and heavy leaning towards Leftist-Islamist ideology. Which speaks volume for their biased narrative built half-baked credible allegations and sources which in most cases is Pakistani intelligence.
This heightened foreign interference in India through Western media narratives, often disseminated uncritically by some Indian outlets, Anti-Modi propaganda activists (supported by Pakistan-based admins), and WhatsApp universities of fact-checkers, could not only undermine the credibility of PM Modi’s government but also potentially influence a change in government, if strategically leveraged, leading up to the 2024 Indian general elections.
But what’s truly perplexing is the double standard that are at play here! Kanwal Sibal also highlights this hypocrisy: “The US can have a long list of those it sees as terrorists but there is something suspect in India declaring anyone a terrorist.” Under this biased lens, while Indian intelligence is scrutinized under a microscope with the pretence of Big Brother watching i.e. acting as if no spies from Canada, the UK, the US, Australia, and New Zealand are operating in India and influencing Indian operatives, bureucrats, politicians, media person, activists and gangsters is conveniently overlooked by the same Western media.
It’s evident that there’s more to these unsubstantiated allegations than meets the eye especially people in the Indian Diaspora living in these very countries. The diplomatic policy putting India first, concrete or anticipatory steps against terror sanctuaries, scrapping of Article 370 in Kashmir and the country’s resolute stance and questioning of providing safe havens to Islamist and Khalistani separatists in these very countries has definitely increased Pakistan’s complaining to the Big Brother(s).
The focus on the Khalistan issue, particularly engineered through North American safe haven, serves as a convenient distraction from the real agenda at hand in these very countries i.e. poor political leadership, rise of ultra Left idelogy, rising authoritarianism as seen in crackdown on peaceful protesters, high inflation and housing crisis, uncontrolled illegal immigration, rising crime and gang wars, and higher rate of extremist radicalisation amongst youths. So, by conveniently attempting to sow discord within India’s communities, Punjab, Kashmir, and Manipur, paying certain political parties aligned with Western interests hope to sway electoral outcomes in their favour.
However, their efforts may be in vain as people in India know very well. As India is weary of incessant terror attacks backed by foreign based extremist groups. So, when the dust settles on these unfounded accusations, it’s imperative for the Five Eyes intelligence alliance and their media proxies to acknowledge the ground reality. In the end, the resilience of the Indian spirit will prevail, transcending the petty politics of international espionage and bogus activism.
History tells us that India has never and will not bow down to external pressure, especially when it comes to safeguarding its sovereignty and protecting its citizens. At the forefront of PM Modi’s diplomatic paradigm is his visionary approach, which harnesses the power of traditional India – maitri (mateship) – to forge deeper bonds with partner nations. I call this concept “paraspara diplomacy“—a notion deeply rooted in India’s historical and cultural ethos that holds significant promise in fostering mutual understanding and cooperation. Unlike many xenophobic nations of the West, India that is Bharat extends a warm invitation to the world, inviting nations to embrace the spirit of unity in diversity.
In essence, “paraspara diplomacy” embodies a philosophy of mutual trust, sustainability and reciprocity—a shared commitment to nurturing relationships and tapping into the vast opportunities that abound in the world. As India takes center stage on the global platform, it is imperative that the world, especialy Five Eyes, embraces this inclusive approach to diplomacy, one that transcends borders and fosters enduring partnerships based on mutual respect and understanding.
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