How Does the World View India?
A New Study Suggests India’s Global Standing is Declining
Newsreel Asia Insight #216
May 9, 2024
Global perceptions of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are starkly different from the triumphant narrative promoted by Indian officials and media, according to a new comprehensive study. Synthesising recent research and polling from international organisations like Pew, Carnegie, GlobeScan and YouGov, the study unveils a critical view of India’s democratic and human rights record, which is influencing its international reputation negatively.
The polling by GlobeScan, conducted from March 29 to April 8, 2024, in the United States, United Kingdom and France, indicates a significant disconnect between the Indian government’s claims and international perceptions.
A vast majority of respondents expressed deep concerns about human rights and democratic principles in India. Notably, 89% of those surveyed stressed the importance of India upholding human rights and democratic norms to strengthen international ties. Similarly, 88% supported making human rights a prerequisite for industrial and commercial investments in the country.
Alarmingly, 90% of respondents are worried about allegations of the Indian government’s attempts to assassinate U.S. and Canadian citizens on their own soil. Additionally, 75% are concerned about new legislations that could complicate the citizenship process for Muslims in India. The majority, 84%, believe it is vital for their governments to advocate for human rights in India.
The study further references data from V-Dem Institute and Freedom House, with the former classifying India as an “elected autocracy” and the latter downgrading India’s status to “partially free.” These classifications are supported by the observed misuse of state machinery against opposition figures, including arrests and investigations that disproportionately target critics of the BJP, while party leaders appear to enjoy immunity.
Concerns extend to press freedom, with India ranked 161st worldwide by Reporters without Borders in 2023 – and 159 in the 2024 index. The impact of restricted press freedom domestically contrasts with the freer international media landscape, which continues to report extensively on India’s democratic backslide.
International tech giants such as X (formerly Twitter) and Apple have raised alarms over the misuse of their platforms by the Indian government, which the BJP dismisses as part of an international conspiracy. However, additional polling by YouGov for the non-profit Friends of Democracy shows that 80% of Indians are worried about the state of their democracy.
Despite potential economic and political influence growth, the study suggests that India’s global standing could improve more rapidly if it shifts towards greater respect for democratic norms and human rights.
The report was co-authored by Prof. Irfan Nooruddin from Georgetown University, Dr. Sinha Subir from London University’s School of Oriental and African Studies, and Dr. Ritumbra Manuvie from Groningen University, in collaboration with Friends of Democracy, which also commissioned the GlobeScan research.
Why should we be worried about India’s deteriorating image as a democratic nation?
It could strain India’s diplomatic relationships, particularly with Western democracies that prioritise human rights and democratic values in their foreign policy. This might impact strategic alliances, defence cooperation and access to technologies that require compliance with certain ethical standards.
Concerns about governance and political stability can also deter foreign investment. The polls suggesting that international investors want human rights considerations included in trade and investment decisions could lead to reduced foreign direct investment (FDI) or stricter conditions on economic engagements with India. This could hamper India’s economic ambitions, particularly in sectors that rely heavily on international capital and partnerships.
Further, a country’s global standing and its soft power are significantly influenced by its reputation as a democratic and just society. The perception of India sliding into electoral autocracy and the issues with press freedom might undermine its soft power, making it harder for India to project cultural and ideological influence on the global stage.
The international focus on human rights issues in India might prompt stronger advocacy and intervention from global human rights organisations, potentially leading to international campaigns, sanctions or resolutions against India in multilateral forums like the United Nations.
Furthermore, increasing concerns over human rights and democratic backsliding could affect the mobility of Indian citizens. Countries may impose stricter visa regulations or screening processes on Indian nationals, and the perceived instability might drive more Indians to emigrate in search of more stable and democratic environments.
