Exporting Hindutva: Soft Power Tactics and Diaspora Diplomacy Under Modi

Introduction

Since coming to power in 2014, India under PM Narendra Modi has pursued an ambitious agenda that intertwines governance with the promotion of Hindutva a Hindu nationalist ideology. Hindutva seeks to establish Hindu cultural hegemony often at the cost of religious and social pluralism. While much of the world recognizes the overt domestic implications of this ideology less attention has been paid to its strategic global expansion. Through soft power, diaspora diplomacy and media narratives the Modi regime is subtly embedding Hindutva in the cultural and political fabric of Western nations, creating a phenomenon that is not just an ideological shift but a potential global danger.

Expansion of Hindutva under BJP

The Hindutva has evolved from a domestic political agenda into a global strategy, under the leadership of BJP and RSS. The regime’s governance is dominated by religiously discriminatory policies, including laws targeting interfaith relationships, conversions and minority religious practices. These measures have not only marginalized Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Dalits and Adivasis at home but also created ripples in Indian diasporic communities abroad.

Use of Diaspora as Agents of Ideology

The Indian diaspora has become a pivotal tool in spreading Hindutva abroad. Recent events such as the launch of the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas website by the Indian Embassy in Moscow, exemplify this strategy. These initiatives serve dual purposes: strengthening ties with overseas Indians and subtly injecting Hindutva ideology into host nations’ sociopolitical landscapes. Edward TG Anderson, in his analysis of Hindutva’s diaspora strategy, noted that RSS literature, such as the 1990 booklet Hindus Abroad – Dilemma: Dollar or Dharma?, has long been circulated among Indian communities abroad. Such material reinforces the idea of Hindu cultural supremacy while posing a dilemma for diaspora members to prioritize their cultural identity over integration into host societies.

Ideological Penetration and Role of Soft Power

Soft power, as conceptualized by Joseph Nye, emphasizes the ability to attract and co-opt rather than coerce. Modi led government has deftly used this principle to promote Hindutva globally. Cultural diplomacy, yoga festivals and Bollywood narratives are the tools used to project India as a spiritual and cultural powerhouse. While these policies appear benign their undercurrent often reinforces a Hindutva-centric narrative celebrating Hindu culture at the expense of secular and pluralistic ethos of India.

Hindutva and Islamophobia

Rajiv Sinha, Director of Hindus for Human Rights (UK), has highlighted troubling alliances between Indian supremacists and far-right groups in Western countries. Bound by shared Islamophobia these alliances have amplified global footprint of Hindutva. For instance in the UK, Hindutva sympathizers have joined forces with white supremacist groups creating a dangerous precedent of global far-right collaboration.

Impact of Hindutva on Indian Minorities Abroad

The Hindutva agenda does not stop at promoting cultural narratives, it also seeks to delegitimize dissent against its ideology. Recent incidents involving the targeting of Sikh diaspora members in Canada and the US illustrate this point. Non-resident Indians (NRIs) critical of Modi’s regime have reported intimidation and ostracization. This weaponization of diaspora connections aims to silence critics while consolidating ideological dominance.

Strategic Implications; The Russia Connection

The use of its diaspora by Indian government to influence foreign policy has been particularly evident in its dealings with Russia. The recent Pravasi Bharatiya Divas event in Moscow underscores attempt of India to dominate the Russian system through its diaspora. While fostering her ties with Russia the India has also aligned with Western powers and it is evident from its withdrawal from joint defense ventures like the Fifth-Generation Fighter Aircraft and its preference for French Rafale jets over Russian Sukhois.

Hindutva and Cyber Diplomacy

Indian government engagement with cyber warfare and disinformation also seems aligns with its Hindutva agenda. Bolstering its cyber-security alliances and using its diaspora as a digital bridge, India is attempting to amplify its ideological influence while positioning itself as a global power.

A Self-Centric Diplomacy

The diplomacy of India under Modi has been marked by a self-centric approach that prioritizes ideological goals over strategic partnerships. This is evident in its handling of allies like Canada, USA and Russia. India risks alienating its partners and eroding trust on the global stage by leveraging its diaspora for Hindutva-centric designs.

Global Threat of Hindutva Expansion

The pursuance of Hindutva ideology poses a serious challenge to secular fabric of India as well as global stability. The India’s alliances with far-right groups, marginalization of minorities and cultural dominance efforts pawing way for ideological fault lines in multicultural societies. The countries that are hosting Indian diasporic communities must scrutinize this phenomenon closely to prevent unwitting endorsement of an agenda that undermines pluralism and democracy.

Conclusion

The promotion of Hindutva under PM Modi is not merely a domestic issue but it is a global concern. Through the use of soft power, diaspora diplomacy and strategic alliances, the regime is embedding a divisive ideology into the international order. This ideological export risks fracturing societal harmony in host nations and emboldening extremist narratives worldwide. As the global community grapples with rising far-right ideologies, the spread of Hindutva serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of unchecked ideological expansion. To safeguard pluralism and democracy, it is imperative to address and counter this growing threat.