The recent diplomatic tensions between India, Canada, and the United States are far from isolated incidents. These events form part of a broader, more covert strategy by Western powers, particularly the United States, to undermine India’s sovereignty and disrupt its strategic autonomy. The West’s discomfort with India’s growing assertiveness on the global stage has become increasingly visible through such episodes, indicating a more profound and calculated effort to erode India’s internal unity, challenge its independent foreign policy, and reassert Western influence in South Asia.
What we are witnessing today is not just a diplomatic spat but a well-coordinated campaign by the American deep state to destabilise India, much like it has done in other regions. The stakes are higher than ever, as India’s rise on the world stage directly threatens Western hegemony. India’s stance of non-alignment and its refusal to toe the Western line on global issues, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have only intensified this campaign. The recent accusations from Canada, under the fumbling leadership of Justin Trudeau, regarding India’s involvement in the assassination of a separatist leader, followed by the diplomatic expulsion of key officials, is part of this broader narrative aimed at subverting India’s sovereignty.
The Timing of Western Tactics: A pattern of provocation
The timing of these diplomatic attacks is no coincidence. Ever since the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) failed to influence the Haryana elections to its advantage, Western efforts to corner India have become more aggressive. This renewed campaign against India follows a long tradition of Western attempts to manipulate Indian politics and undermine its leadership. However, these tactics have intensified under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, as India’s strong, majority government proves increasingly difficult to sway.
The recent diplomatic row with Canada was not the first time foreign powers attempted to pressure India internationally. Similar allegations surfaced earlier, but this time, the accusations were much more aggressive, and the responses much harsher. The diplomatic expulsion of key
Officials on both sides demonstrate the seriousness of these tensions. Canada’s accusations of India being involved in covert operations are not just directed at India’s external actions but also at undermining its internal cohesion.
The concern here is not merely the diplomatic fallout but the active involvement of the American deep state, which is working behind the scenes to create an anti-India narrative domestically. The aim is to make India’s governance look illegitimate and create divisions. In this effort, several prominent intellectuals and media personalities like Pratap Bhanu Mehta and Siddharth Varadarajan have unwittingly—or perhaps knowingly—become tools of this narrative. Their columns and media appearances subtly push the idea that the Indian Government should publicly clarify. Its intelligence operations insinuate that such actions, if indeed taken, are not in the national interest but serve only the ruling elite. This rhetoric is not just misleading but dangerous. It serves the larger agenda of Western powers seeking to erode India’s internal stability and subvert its sovereignty.
For example, the subheading of Pratap Bhanu Mehta’s article provocatively states, “We need to know what’s going on—for our own sake.” This line encapsulates the ongoing effort to push for unnecessary transparency in intelligence operations—actions essential for national security. The argument here is flawed at its core. Intelligence operations, by their very nature, are covert and do not require public scrutiny. The average Indian citizen knows that secrecy is necessary to protect national interests. Many Indians take pride in their country’s ability to defend itself, even if that means engaging in covert operations abroad.
Yet, figures like Mahua Moitra, Sagarika Ghose, and other opposition leaders have latched onto this issue as if India is facing an unprecedented crisis. Their approach, in reality, is a classic example of rajnaitik natak (political theatre), designed to exploit a manufactured controversy for domestic political gains. These leaders mistakenly believe that amplifying the issue will create a more significant anti-establishment sentiment among the Indian electorate. However, they fail to recognise that such tactics only strengthen the government’s position, especially when the public sees the government standing firm against external pressure.
The Cold War Playbook Revisited: Historical parallels with US interference
India’s experience with Western interference is not new. The current attempts by the United States to interfere in India’s internal affairs echo the covert operations that were a hallmark of the Cold War era. During that period, the CIA repeatedly tried to influence India’s foreign policy and destabilise its political leadership. The most notable instance was India’s military intervention in East Pakistan in 1971, which resulted in the creation of Bangladesh. This decisive move by India dealt a severe blow to the United States’ strategic interests in South Asia, particularly its alliance with Pakistan.
Following the defeat of its ally, the US shifted gears, focusing on destabilising India internally. Figures like Jayaprakash Narayan (JP), who led the 1974 movement against Indira Gandhi, were seen as tools of the West to create internal unrest in India. The ensuing political crisis led to the declaration of the Emergency in 1975. Many believe that the West, particularly the CIA, had a role in fanning the flames of dissent that ultimately pushed India towards one of its darkest periods.
The post-Emergency period saw the rise of the Janata Party, led by Morarji Desai, who came to power in 1977. Desai’s Government is often criticised for being too soft on Western influence, with many claiming that the CIA backed it. During his tenure, Desai took several steps that weakened India’s intelligence apparatus, including dismantling parts of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) and leaking sensitive information to Pakistan. This move had severe repercussions for India’s national security.
However, this period of vulnerability was short-lived. Indira Gandhi’s return to power in 1980 marked a resurgence of India’s strategic autonomy. Her strong leadership restored India’s position in the global arena, and under her, the country resumed its independent foreign policy. The Khalistan movement, which gained momentum during this time, was another example of Western powers attempting to destabilise India. The CIA’s covert support for separatist movements in India reflected an apparent attempt to weaken India from within and ensure it remained pliable to Western interests.
The New Colonial Masters: A Modern-day continuation of Western hegemony
Fast forward to the present, and the tactics of the past have been revived, albeit in a more sophisticated and insidious form. India’s decision to maintain a neutral stance during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, despite heavy pressure from the US and its allies, has made it clear that India’s foreign policy is firmly rooted in its strategic interests, not in appeasing Western powers. This refusal to fall in line with the Western bloc has increasingly drawn the ire of the American deep state, which views India’s growing autonomy as a direct threat to its global dominance.
The US has responded by escalating its efforts to undermine the Modi Government. From fostering opposition coalitions like the I.N.D.I.Alliance—a motley group of parties united solely by their opposition to the BJP—to orchestrating diplomatic rows such as the recent fallout with Canada, the aim is precise: weaken India’s stable Government and create internal divisions. But despite these attempts, the Modi Government’s strong mandate has made it difficult for foreign powers to gain a foothold.
In stark contrast to the coalition Governments that dominated India’s political landscape post-1991, which were far more susceptible to Western influence, the Modi Government has been able to chart its course, free from external pressures. This has upset the US and other Western powers, who have long preferred dealing with weak coalition Governments that they can easily manipulate. The Gujral Doctrine, for example, while praised for its emphasis on peace, left India vulnerable by weakening its intelligence capabilities. Gujral’s soft approach towards Pakistan and his decision to scale down India’s intelligence operations significantly compromised India’s ability to defend itself against external threats.
However, the Vajpayee Government of 1998, despite being a coalition, shocked the world by conducting nuclear tests, a move that firmly asserted India’s strategic independence. The US retaliated by denying India GPS data during the Kargil conflict but eventually had to soften its stance by agreeing to a civil nuclear deal under the UPA-1 Government. Though successful in securing this deal, the UPA Government was seen as more pliable to Western interests than the current Government.
Coalition Governments: Weaknesses exploited by Western powers
The preference of Western powers, particularly the US, for coalition Governments in India is no coincidence. Such Governments are inherently unstable and lack the mandate to take decisive actions, making them easier to influence. A fragmented coalition, like the one envisaged by the I.N.D.I Alliance, would be rife with internal contradictions, making it vulnerable to external manipulation. The inability of coalition governments to take firm stances on key issues has historically made them more susceptible to Western pressure.
The fallout from such instability is not just theoretical. Weak coalition Governments have often been unable to respond effectively to crises. Take, for example, the Kandahar hijacking in 1999, where India had to negotiate with terrorists and release key militants because of internal indecision. Or consider the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, where intelligence failures and bureaucratic inefficiencies hampered India’s response. Under a strong, stable government, such situations are far less likely to occur, as the leadership can act decisively in the face of external threats. The US knows this, and it is precisely why it has consistently tried to destabilise majority Governments in India. A weak coalition at the centre would be far easier to control, allowing the US to push its agenda in South Asia without facing significant resistance from India. This is the real goal behind the Western support for opposition coalitions and the diplomatic pressure exerted on India today.
A Strong Majority Government: India’s best defence against foreign manipulation
In contrast, a strong majority Government, like the one led by Narendra Modi, is far more capable of safeguarding India’s sovereignty and ensuring that national interests rather than external pressures dictate its foreign policy. While critics may argue that such a Government can be too stringent in its domestic policies, the benefits of having a stable and decisive leadership far outweigh the downsides.
India’s refusal to bow to Western pressure during the Russia-Ukraine war is a testament to this Government’s commitment to its strategic autonomy. Unlike coalition Governments, which are often bogged down by internal conflicts and external influences, a majority Government can take firm stances on key issues without fear of losing its mandate. This has been one of the key reasons behind India’s ability to resist the new colonial masters of the West. Western powers, particularly the US, are uncomfortable with the idea of a rising India operating on its terms. They prefer a subservient India that can be easily manipulated to align with Western strategic interests. But India today is not the India of the past. It is a nation that is confident in its place on the global stage and is determined to protect its sovereignty at all costs.
India stands tall against Western hegemony
The recent diplomatic frictions between India and the West are not isolated events but part of a larger pattern of interference and manipulation aimed at undermining India’s sovereignty. From the Cold War era to today, Western powers have consistently tried to weaken India’s leadership and control its foreign policy. But as history has shown, India can stand firm in the face of such pressure.
Under the leadership of a substantial majority Government, India has asserted its strategic autonomy and resisted attempts by the West to subjugate it to their interests. The Modi Government’s refusal to cave to Western pressure, whether during the Russia-Ukraine conflict or in response to the recent diplomatic row with Canada, is a clear sign that India is no longer willing to be a passive actor on the global stage. It is a nation that is confident, assertive, and determined to protect its sovereignty and strategic interests.
As India continues to rise, it will undoubtedly face more challenges from the West. But with strong leadership, a clear vision, and the support of its people, India will not only resist these new colonial masters but also emerge as a global superpower, charting its path free from the influence of Western hegemony.
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