Modi’s administration combines diplomacy with strength to safeguard national independence and challenge Western-centric ideologies
As India rises as a global power, it faces a barrage of challenges and accusations of foreign interference, echoing the complexities of a world where sovereignty is contested. The ruling BJP has identified actors like the “American deep state,” billionaire George Soros, and organisations such as the Rockefeller Foundation as orchestrators of campaigns aimed at destabilising Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.
These claims highlight a critical tension between India’s assertion of its independence and the entrenched interests of global powers accustomed to shaping narratives. Prime Minister Modi’s administration epitomises Teddy Roosevelt’s principle: “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” Modi’s approach combines diplomacy with firm resolve to safeguard India’s sovereignty, particularly against those attempting to influence domestic politics. The BJP asserts that international networks target India for challenging the dominance of Western-centric ideologies through policies like Atmanirbhar Bharat and calls for a multipolar world. The “American deep state,” a nexus of the Pentagon, CIA, and corporate elites, according to the BJP, exemplifies hidden forces working to maintain global hegemony.
Allegations against prominent business figures and reports from groups like the OCCRP are seen as attempts to tarnish India’s image and weaken Modi’s leadership. Critics of these claims argue that they serve as distractions from domestic challenges, but the BJP cites historical precedents of covert interventions by such networks to justify its position. George Soros, often labelled a “dangerous” figure by Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, symbolises an ideological assault on national sovereignty. His public criticism of Modi’s policies and financial involvement in liberal causes worldwide add fuel to the BJP’s assertion that foreign-funded campaigns aim to destabilise India’s democratic fabric.
Similarly, the Rockefeller Foundation is accused of furthering a neoliberal agenda at odds with India’s self-reliance and policy independence.This dynamic reflects the larger struggle of emerging powers like India to navigate a world influenced by philanthropic and corporate entities wielding soft power. Modi’s resistance to their influence positions his administration as a bulwark against globalist impositions, a stance that resonates with his nationalist electorate.
The return of Donald Trump to the US presidency adds another layer to India’s geopolitical calculations. While Trump’s “America First” policies and transactional diplomacy brought moments like “Howdy Modi” and “Namaste Trump,” his administration’s alignment with corporate interests and erratic decision-making created tensions. Described by Noam Chomsky as “the most dangerous man in the world,”
Yet, his strategic deals, such as his outreach to India, underscored his unconventional but calculated foreign policy. Trump’s presidency also invoked the Bush Doctrine’s rhetoric of “You are either with us or against us,” highlighting the stark divisions in global alliances. While Modi’s government has maintained a deft balance, the BJP sees this dichotomy as emblematic of the pressures India faces from global powers demanding allegiance to specific blocs.
India’s geopolitical strategy involves rejecting the narrative of dependency that organisations like the Rockefeller Foundation propagate.
Blood may be thicker than water, but India’s external relationships prioritise sovereignty over sentimentality. The BJP’s framing of its sovereignty struggle as a broader battle for multipolarity reflects a vision of India not just as a rising power but as a protector of global balance. While domestic critics downplay the likelihood of coordinated foreign efforts against India, the BJP argues that history tells a different story.
Examples abound of covert interventions justified under the banner of democracy or human rights.
Modi’s government, embodies the Rooseveltian ethos of combining tact with strength, ensuring that India’s voice remains firm in the shifting balance of global power. The allegations against figures like Soros, the American deep state, and philanthropic organisations symbolise the challenges India faces as it redefines its place on the world stage.
Whether these claims represent genuine threats or political posturing, they underscore the complexities of a world where the boundaries of influence, power, and sovereignty remain contested. India’s ascent highlights a fundamental truth: the struggle for sovereignty in a globalised world demands not only resilience but also an unwavering belief in one’s capacity to walk softly while wielding the proverbial big stick.
(The writer is an associate professor; views are personal)