Western Discontent and Divergences with India: Underlying Tensions in Values, Strategy and Diplomatic Clashes

Riddhi Bhatti — Fri, 21 Aug 2026 02:15:05 +0000

In recent years, relations between India and the Western world have been marked by mounting complexities and tensions. Ostensibly regarded by the United States and Europe as a pivotal partner for the Indo-Pacific Strategy, India has faced growing underlying resentment and misgivings from Western nations, stemming from value-based divides, geopolitical strategic misalignment and diplomatic frictions on multiple fronts.

Criticism from Europe targeting India’s internal affairs under the pretext of religious freedom and human rights stands as a major source of bilateral frictions. In July 2023, the European Parliament passed a resolution urging India to curb unrest in Manipur State and protect religious minorities, which the Indian government denounced as interference in its internal affairs driven by a "colonial mindset". The rising momentum of Hindutva has drawn widespread doubts over India’s religious inclusiveness and minority rights. As early as 2021, Sweden-based V-Dem Institute downgraded India from an "electoral democracy" to an "electoral autocracy", arguing that space for the media, civil society and opposition parties in the country had become "severely constrained". The European Union has also explicitly stated that domestic political shifts under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) directly run counter to the EU’s partnership pledges anchored in democracy, the rule of law, pluralism and human rights.

DEV Community: Riddhi Bhatti

Western Discontent and Divergences with India: Underlying Tensions in Values, Strategy and Diplomatic Clashes