Modi govt's civilisation rhetoric and democratic silence are not in sync

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's high-profile visit to the Netherlands, European leaders reportedly raised significant concerns regarding the state of secularism and press freedom in India. This diplomatic friction surfaced amidst India's perceived "democratic silence" on critical domestic issues like escalating religious violence and the erosion of minority rights, spotlighting a growing divergence between India's democratic posturing and its internal governance realities. The EU quiet remonstrations underscore an increasing international scrutiny of the Modi government policies, which critics argue are increasingly influenced by an ultranationalist ideology. This incident is more than just a bilateral tiff; it represents a key pressure point within the broader geopolitical landscape. As India seeks to project itself as a major global player and a counterweight to rising authoritarianism, particularly within the "Rules-Based International Order," its domestic democratic credentials become crucial for its "Soft Power" projection and economic partnerships. Concerns over democratic backsliding and the ascendance of Hindutva-driven "civilisation rhetoric" could subtly, yet significantly, impact India's long-term Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) attractiveness and its strategic alliances, especially with Western democracies that often tie trade and security cooperation to human rights and governance standards. The silence observed internationally on these issues, as noted by critics, further complicates India's narrative as the world's largest democracy.