Why is Modi getting global recognition and support?

On June 22, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address American Congress. It will be his second speech before US lawmakers in the last seven years. It was on June 16, 2016 that he addressed the members of Congress. Giving so much of importance and respect to a person — who in 2005 was denied the US visa for his role in fomenting communal violence in the Indian state of Gujarat, of which he was the Chief Minister — is amazing.

A year before the general elections in India, Prime Minister Modi is trying his best to get a third term by stabilising his home ground and strengthening his global credentials. A person who is still called the ‘Butcher of Gujarat’ because of his involvement as a Chief Minister of that state in augmenting Muslim carnage and communal riots of February 2002 has rehabilitated his international image. India is now holding chair of SCO and G20 — in a sign of respect and admiration for Modi.

Modi’s track record as a communal icon in India cannot be denied. When he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat and then Prime Minister of India, BJP/Shiv Sena unleashed anti-Muslim drive patronising Hindu nationalists in key state institutions ranging from bureaucracy to judiciary and military to the extent that religious minorities were threatened to either convert to Hinduism or leave India. One gets puzzled to notice so much of respect and recognition for Modi from the outside world despite his blemished communal record. When a person who was denied the US visa for his alleged involvement in Gujarat riots was welcomed by the then American President Barack Obama to visit the US shows that international players have no principles, ethics or adherence to human rights when it comes to protecting their interests.

How has Modi, who was termed a persona non grata in some international circles, achieved laurels globally? What will be the impact of Modi’s address before the US Congress? How Modi will use his clout in foreign policy to further better his image as a leader of international stature is yet to be seen. Does it mean that Modi has managed to rehabilitate his image as a violent communalist and emerge as a champion of peace? There is enough documentary evidence to prove how in the last 9 years of his rule Hindu nationalists while getting patronage from the Modi regime unleashed a reign of terror against religious minorities particularly the Muslim community. The US is also well aware of religious fanaticism and persecution of religious minorities in India today but barring superficial criticism Washington has looked the other way and refrained from direct condemnation of state supported Hindu nationalists targeting 250 million strong Muslim minority.

The international community has also looked the other way when the Modi regime on August 5, 2019 proclaimed ‘Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Act’ by revoking article 370 and 35-A of the Indian constitution which had given special status to the Muslim majority state of J&K. The reign of terror unleashed by the Indian security forces particularly against Kashmiri Muslims of the Valley by launching siege and serge operations, imposition of curfew, internet closure and extrajudicial killings failed to draw the attention of the world except voices raised by the Amnesty International and Human Rights’ Organization. The holding of G-20 conference on tourism in Srinagar recently also reflected how the Modi regime, despite the boycott of China, Indonesia, Turkey and Saudi Arabia, claimed that it was a successful event participated by 48 delegates representing G-20 member countries and European Union.

How Modi despite his communal record is getting international recognition, respect and prestige needs to be analysed from three angles.

First, the is benign and benevolent face of Modi that is reflected from the speeches he has been delivering during G-7, SCO, G-20 and other summits. It is the Indian Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar who has worked hard to positively transform Modi’s image by depicting him as peaceful and pro-development PM who is committed to promoting democracy, cooperation and trade and protecting environment. In his June 2016 speech before the US Congress, Modi got a standing ovation several times which reflected how much respect and prestige India has in America. Between 2016 and 2023, a lot has changed in India. Now, India is the world’s fifth largest economy and is expected to overtake Germany and Japan and emerge as the world’s third largest economy by 2028. It means, despite his communal background, Modi has shrewdly understood the rules of the game for getting international recognition.

Second, Modi’s growing clout at the international level is also because of his country’s remarkable progress in modernising infrastructure and pulling millions of people from poverty line. Around 400 million strong middle class of India is also a source of pride of for their country. So it means despite the surge of Hindu nationalism, the Modi regime has focused on human and social development. India’s economic growth, 650 billion dollars of foreign exchange reserves, 100 billion dollars of annual remittances, another 100 billion dollars of earnings from IT exports and billions of dollars of income from tourism means it is the internal strength and vibrancy which tend to augment India’s pride and deliver respect at the international level.

Finally, Modi’s global respect will further augment when he will deliver a speech before US Congressmen on June 22. As compared to 2016, in 2023 he has much to say and project the successes of his country. It means negative impressions and Modi’s image as a hardcore communalist will have no impact on international community because of India’s growing economy and remarkable contribution of Indian diaspora particularly in the West. Modi during his visit to the US will certainly have a positive impact on India which he will use for augmenting his country’s strength.

How Modi’s international image and his firm grip internally will have an impact on 2024 general elections is yet to be seen. His opponents, particularly Rahul Gandhi, allege that India is fast ascending on the road to fascism where opposition parties and non-conformist media is targeted. Will India, with a question mark on its secular and democratic credentials, be able to cope with the surge in authoritarian political culture?

Published in The Express Tribune, June 20^th, 2023.

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