MS Shanker
Recent events have sparked concern over whether foreign elements are conspiring to destabilize India joining hands with Indian opposition as well as other anti-national groups. From sabotages targeting Indian railways to threats against air travel, and calls from Canadian officials to ban the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), there seems to be an emerging pattern of external forces attempting to create chaos and disrupt the nation’s progress.
Such activities raise questions about the motivations of these forces, many of which appear to be based in Western countries, particularly the United States and its allies. Effort is explore the growing perception of foreign interference aimed at hindering India’s rise on the global stage.
India’s rapid economic and military growth in recent years has placed it firmly on the path to becoming a global powerhouse. This progress, however, has not been welcomed by all. Foreign entities, particularly rogue elements in Western nations, seem threatened by India’s ascent. Some analysts argue that these forces have resorted to subversive tactics in an effort to defame, destabilize, and disintegrate the country.
For instance, attempts to disrupt India’s superfast trains by placing objects on railway tracks or creating panic among air travellers through veiled threats suggest a concerted effort to instil fear. At the political level, the call by a Canadian minister to ban the RSS, a significant cultural organization in India, indicates that these provocations extend beyond physical sabotage. The message is clear: external forces, unable to cope with India’s rise, are intensifying efforts to malign and destabilize the nation.
India’s geopolitical relationship with the United States has always been complex. While U.S.-India relations have seen improvement, especially under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, some argue that the U.S. continues to harbour elements that seek to undermine India’s success. There have been accusations that the U.S. operates as a “deep state,” fostering and protecting anti-India forces. Noted journalist Arnab Goswami famously confronted a U.S.-based professor on this very issue, leading to a heated exchange that highlighted how divisive the topic is and forcing the upset Professor walking out from the debate.
Historically, the U.S. has been accused of meddling in the affairs of other nations to maintain its global dominance. It played a key role in the disintegration of the USSR and has been involved in conflicts that have destabilized countries in the Middle East, Africa, and Asia. Now, with China posing a more significant challenge on the world stage, some believe that the U.S. may be trying to counter India’s rise to prevent it from becoming too influential, particularly in Asia.
However, the U.S. is also aware that maintaining strong ties with India is crucial to its interests in the region. India is the only country capable of balancing China’s growing influence in Asia, and its strategic location makes it an essential partner in maintaining maritime control in the Indian Ocean. Despite these geopolitical realities, the U.S. appears to oscillate between supporting and undermining India, perhaps out of a desire to maintain its own status as the world’s leading superpower.
The recent diplomatic spat between Canada and India has only added fuel to the fire. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s accusation that India was responsible for the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar has been met with widespread disbelief in India. The lack of concrete evidence provided by the Canadian government has led many to conclude that Trudeau’s allegations are politically motivated, aimed at appeasing a significant Sikh voter base in Canada.
Trudeau’s soft stance on the Khalistan movement, which seeks to create a separate Sikh state by breaking away from India, has long been a point of contention. By giving tacit support to this separatist movement, Canada risks fuelling tensions between its Sikh community and India. Trudeau’s support of the farmer protests in India’s Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh regions further strained relations. These protests, which were aimed at repealing controversial farm laws, gained international attention, with some observers suggesting that foreign elements were attempting to exploit the unrest to weaken the Modi government.
Despite these provocations, the Modi government has remained steadfast in its resolve. India’s foreign policy under Modi has been characterized by a newfound assertiveness, with the country engaging on equal terms with global superpowers. Modi’s ability to speak eye-to-eye with world leaders, including U.S. presidents, has marked a departure from previous Indian governments, which often appeared subservient in international negotiations.
China, too, has had to recalibrate its approach toward India. While the two nations have longstanding border disputes, China seems to recognize that it cannot bully India as it once might have. Modi’s government has been firm in defending India’s territorial integrity, making it clear that India is no longer a nation that can be easily coerced or manipulated by foreign powers.
Not accompanied by arrogance or aggression. Modi’s government has embraced the ancient philosophy of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam,” which translates to “the world is one family.” This inclusive approach to international relations is rooted in India’s Sanatana Dharma, the oldest spiritual tradition in the world, and stands in stark contrast to the expansionist ambitions of other global powers, such as China.
Historically, India has never invaded another nation, and it has often ceded its own land to foreign invaders, including the Mughals and the British. Today, India stands as a beacon of peace and diplomacy, with Modi emerging as a key figure in resolving global conflicts, such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas crisis. In this context, any foreign attempts to destabilize India are not only futile but also counterproductive.
As India continues to rise, it is becoming increasingly clear that attempts to derail its progress will not succeed. The Modi government’s strong leadership, combined with the country’s growing economic and military power, has made India an indomitable force. External forces, whether they come from the U.S., Canada, or elsewhere, should recognize that India cannot be bullied or intimidated. Instead, they would be wise to engage with India as a partner in peace and progress, rather than as an adversary.
