French President faces criticism for India visit amid West’s concerns
New Delhi: As French President Emmanuel Macron gears up for his visit to India to partake in Republic Day celebrations, the diplomatic spotlight intensifies on the French leader’s seemingly warm rapport with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the visit, initially intended for Joe Biden, has taken a controversial turn, shedding light on India’s human rights abuses and authoritarian shift under Modi’s leadership.
Macron’s affinity for Modi, who described as a leader with “contradictory alliances,” has raised eyebrows as critics argue that the French President may be overlooking concerning signs of India’s transformation from a secular to a Hindutva state. The nation’s tilt towards an authoritarian and supremacist regime, accused of sidelining minorities and subverting democratic values, has been largely ignored by France, with a focus on bolstering strategic and military partnerships.
The timing of Macron’s visit is particularly sensitive, coming just days after the inauguration of a Hindu temple on the ruins of a mosque in Ayodhya, indicating Modi’s pursuit of making India a Hindu nation. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has sounded the alarm, urging Macron to address what it calls an “illiberal and religious drift” in India, especially with minorities, particularly Muslims, allegedly living in fear.
France, keen on cultivating alliances in defense, space, and nuclear power, seems to turn a blind eye to India’s internal issues, including the muzzling of opponents and the alleged harassment of minorities. Macron’s visit is expected to be a spectacle of diplomatic camaraderie, yet critics argue that it undermines the principles of human rights and democracy that France ostensibly champions.
As Macron arrives in India amidst global debates over the Modi regime’s involvement in a Sikh murder in Canada, and plot to kill another in the US and all-out support to Israeli aggression in Gaza, the visit could exacerbate tensions between Western nations and the so-called “global South.”
Critics accuse Macron of double standards in his diplomatic engagements, turning a blind eye to India’s internal affairs while taking a tough stance on other global issues.
Despite concerns, Macron is set to engage in discussions with Modi on defense, space cooperation, and civil nuclear power. However, the conspicuous absence of any mention of human rights issues in the official agenda has intensified criticism. Macron’s visit to India, once seen as a diplomatic gesture, is now under the microscope for potential diplomatic complacency in the face of alleged human rights violations.
