The European Union has recently introduced its “New Strategic EU-India Agenda,” outlining a vision for enhanced cooperation across various sectors. This ambitious document describes India as the “world’s largest democracy” and a “like-minded and trusted partner.” However, it conspicuously sidesteps the alarming human rights situation currently unfolding in the country.
Strengthening ties with India has long been a priority for EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In her quest for closer economic, political, and trade relations, she appears to have adopted a strategy of silence regarding India’s troubling turn toward authoritarianism—a reality that many within the EU are acutely aware of.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), violence and discrimination against religious minorities have become alarmingly normalized. Human Rights Watch reports that the Modi government has engaged in unlawful expulsions and illegal demolitions of property based on religious identity. Furthermore, there have been widespread reports of assaults, arbitrary arrests, and the misuse of counterterrorism laws to silence dissenting voices, including civil society groups and diaspora critics. The climate for independent journalists and human rights defenders in India has become increasingly hostile, marked by intimidation and threats. Additionally, the national human rights commission in India is likely facing an international downgrade due to its ineffective response to these abuses.
Despite the European Parliament and various human rights organizations voicing serious concerns over the EU’s silence regarding these violations, von der Leyen continues to pursue an uncritical approach to engagement with Modi. Her personal interactions with the Indian leader, along with her speeches and social media presence, have reflected this charm offensive, which is evident in the new strategic agenda. Several EU nations, including France, Germany, and Italy, have backed this approach, motivated by the prospect of lucrative business deals amid escalating global economic uncertainties.
However, EU leaders must carefully consider the long-term consequences of granting Modi a free pass on human rights. Turning a blind eye to India’s steady drift toward authoritarianism raises significant questions about the EU’s commitment to its own values, especially as it seeks to distance India from its ties with Russia and China.
The EU Commission and its member states must break their silence on the abuses perpetrated by the Indian government and adopt a “more for more” strategy. This would involve linking advancements in bilateral relations to progress on human rights, along with ensuring that binding and enforceable human rights provisions are included in ongoing trade negotiations. Conversely, India could leverage this opportunity to address the EU’s own issues, such as its abusive migration policies, crackdowns on peaceful protests, and the deterioration of the rule of law in certain EU member states.
As the EU continues to celebrate India as the “world’s largest democracy,” it is imperative for both parties to engage in a relationship marked by mutual scrutiny and a commitment to upholding human rights. Only by fostering a respectful dialogue that prioritizes human rights can the EU and India truly collaborate as partners on the global stage.
