Authors:
- Kivipu Yeptho, BA, 5th Semester, Department Representative, Department of Political Science, Tetso College
- Kejingkhum Yimchunger, BA, 5th Semester, Co-coordinator, Electoral Club, Department of Political Science, Tetso College
- Johnny Humtsoe, BA, 5th Semester, Department of Political Science, Tetso College
- John Mech, R.O. Project Constitutional Justice, Tuensang
- Aniruddha Babar, Department of Political Science, Tetso College
“Europe needs to grow out of its mindset that Europe’s problems are the world’s problems whereas the world’s problems are not Europe’s problems”.
~ Dr. S. Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister, Government of India
“India stands at a crossroads, where the cunning hand of Uncle Tom from the West and the fiery breath of the Dragon from the East meet. Yet, like an ancient river flowing through the ages, India bends to neither. Uncle Tom, with his velvet chains of soft power, seeks to mold India into a pawn of his design, while the Dragon looms large, casting shadows of fear and domination. But India, with the wisdom of sages and the strength of a billion hearts, rises unbroken. A lion that will not be tamed, India strides forward, sovereign and free, ready to carve its own destiny. No fire from the East nor chains from the West can bind this timeless land, for its roar will echo through the ages, as a force no power can contain.”
The Western world, led primarily by the United States, has long relied on its soft power to assert dominance on the global stage, masquerading as a benevolent force for cultural and diplomatic leadership. However, beneath this façade lies a more insidious mechanism of control-one that hinges on racist stereotypes and subtle forms of cultural imperialism, specifically aimed at degrading nations like India and others in Asia. While the age of colonialism may be behind us, the remnants of these power dynamics persist, ingrained in media portrayals, academic discourse, and the policies of international institutions. The modern West’s strategy is to paint a picture of India and Asia as perpetually in need of Western intervention, conveniently ignoring the strength and autonomy these regions have developed over centuries.
One of the most effective tools in this veiled dominance is Western media, which repeatedly presents India in simplistic, stereotypical terms. Hollywood, in particular, has propagated images of India that are rooted in exoticism and backwardness. Films like “Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom” and “Slumdog Millionaire” offer a narrow and often demeaning perspective of India, portraying it as a country stuck between mysticism and poverty. Such reductive portrayals reduce India’s rich and diverse civilisation to a caricature, shaping global perceptions in a way that serves Western interests. The complexities of Indian society are dismissed in favour of simplistic tropes that reinforce an image of primitiveness and chaos.
This media-driven image has real-world consequences. The portrayal of India as an exotic, chaotic land has shaped how Indian immigrants are perceived in Western societies, particularly in the United States. The racial bias ingrained in these depictions has led to hostility, evident in the rise of hate crimes against South Asians after 9/11, when many were mistakenly targeted for their appearance. Between 2001 and 2018, over 500 incidents of violence against South Asians were documented in the U.S., with Indian immigrants often bearing the brunt of these attacks. Tragically, in 2017, Indian engineer Srinivas Kuchibhotla was fatally shot in Kansas by a man shouting, “Get out of my country.” Such incidents reflect deep-seated xenophobia and racism that permeates Western societies, particularly toward Asians, including Indians.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated these biases, further fueling anti-Asian sentiment across the U.S. According to “Stop AAPI Hate,” over 6,600 incidents of hate and violence against Asians, including Indians, occurred between March 2020 and March 2021. One particularly disturbing case in August 2022 saw a group of Indian women in Texas verbally assaulted with racial slurs by a white woman who told them to “go back to India.” These acts of hostility, underpinned by longstanding racial biases, demonstrate the West’s failure to truly embrace the diverse cultures it often claims to celebrate.
These stereotypes and racist narratives extend beyond interpersonal racism; they are woven into the fabric of how the West engages with India on the global stage. For decades, the West has continued to position itself as the moral arbiter and benefactor in international institutions such as the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. This dynamic is based on a hypocritical premise, where Western nations, particularly the U.S., assume the role of overseer of global development while portraying India and other Asian nations as perpetually “developing” and in need of Western tutelage. There is an arrogance in the West about its place in the world, but the reality is changing. Nations like India will shape their futures, with or without Western approval.
Further complicating the narrative is the West’s tendency to hold India to a double standard. While championing India’s rise in sectors such as technology and medicine, the same countries continue to perpetuate stereotypes that demean Indian professionals. Indian workers, particularly in the U.S., face the so-called “bamboo ceiling,” which limits their advancement into leadership roles despite their qualifications and contributions. Indian professionals, while highly sought after for their technical expertise, are often seen as efficient workers rather than innovators or leaders. This paradoxical relationship-one that welcomes India’s skilled labour force while simultaneously devaluing its contributions-serves to keep India in a subordinate role.
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The U.S.’s relationship with India, in particular, is shaped by concerns over India’s increasing global influence. As India emerges as an economic and political power, the United States grows wary of losing its dominance. This manifests in a selective approach towards India: supporting its rise when it suits Western interests, such as counterbalancing China, while undermining India’s sovereignty in areas like climate change and trade policy. By framing India’s success as contingent upon Western involvement, the U.S. and other Western nations seek to preserve their global hierarchy and retain India as a subordinate power, rather than recognizing India’s capacity for independent progress. This dynamic is not limited to geopolitics but extends into academic discourse as well, where the West continues to employ outdated Orientalist perspectives. These strategically developed views frame India’s achievements as anomalies rather than the result of its rich intellectual and cultural history. The West must learn to respect diverse approaches and stop assuming that Western ideas are the only solutions. It is high time for the West to abandon its colonial mindset and recognize that countries like India are fully capable of independent thought and progress, without the need for Western tutelage. By doing so, the West can begin to treat India as the equal partner it has already proven itself to be, both intellectually and politically.
Historically, the West has been resistant to recognising India’s growing stature on the world stage. Since 1947, there has been a persistent attempt to undermine India’s sovereignty and independence. However, throughout this period, it was the Soviet Union that stood by India as a steadfast ally. During the Cold War, when Western nations viewed India with suspicion and sought to limit its influence, the Soviet Union provided India with crucial political, military, and economic support. As Soviet Premier Alexei Kosygin once remarked, “The strength of India lies in its independence, and we support this independence as essential for a balanced world.” The USSR’s support was not merely transactional; it was a partnership built on mutual respect and recognition of India’s potential. From defence cooperation to technological assistance, the Soviet Union helped India solidify its position as a regional power at a time when the West was intent on isolating it.
The relationship between India and Russia, born out of this Cold War camaraderie, continues to flourish. President Vladimir Putin has echoed the sentiments of his Soviet predecessors, repeatedly acknowledging India’s global importance. “India is a great power with a long and proud history,” Putin stated, underscoring the importance of India’s role in shaping the world’s future. Moreover, Putin has recognised India’s achievements in economic and technological advancements, noting, “India’s progress is impressive and deserves the respect of the global community.” This longstanding relationship between India and Russia stands in stark contrast to the West’s condescending approach. While the West may lecture India on how to conduct its international and domestic affairs, nations like Russia treat India as an equal partner, reinforcing the fact that India does not need validation or approval from anyone.
The West’s persistent use of soft power, riddled with outdated, strategically developed stereotypes and historical prejudices, continues to undermine India and Asia in general. Through media, academia, and economic influence, the West clings to its narrative of superiority, relegating India and Asia to the margins. This veiled form of dominance is no less corrosive than outright colonialism, pushing the false notion that these regions require Western guidance to thrive. However, as Russian President Vladimir Putin has often stated, India stands as a formidable global power with a proud history and the capacity to determine its own destiny. The world has seen India rise-economically, technologically, and geopolitically-not by the West’s hand, but by its own merit. Putin himself has recognised India’s remarkable strides in economic and technological fields, dismissing any outdated notions of dependency. India’s success is undeniable, and any attempts by the West to downplay its achievements are futile. India is not waiting for anyone’s approval, least of all from a declining West that continues to recycle tired stereotypes. The time for Western condescension is over. True equality and mutual respect will only emerge when the West acknowledges and respects India’s rightful place as an equal partner, not a nation to be lectured or patronised. Anything less will no longer be tolerated.
