For decades, India projected itself as a secular democracy with a non-aligned foreign policy. Today, under the ideological shadow of Hindutva, the country’s internal and external policies have become alarmingly aggressive, imbalanced, and reflective of its aspirations for regional dominance.
Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, India has embarked on a path marked by strategic belligerence, military assertiveness, ideological extremism, and diplomatic coercion — a trajectory that poses serious threats not only to South Asia but to global peace and stability.
India’s ambitions for regional hegemony are deeply rooted in the Hindutva doctrine, which has long influenced its posture towards neighbouring states. However, since the rise of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), this attitude has intensified significantly.
Relations with Pakistan have reached new heights of hostility. From the controversial ‘surgical strikes’ to the Pulwama false flag incident, India’s provocations along the Line of Control and its belligerent rhetoric clearly demonstrate a policy of aggression rather than defence. The diplomatic isolation attempts and repeated false flag operations against Pakistan further expose a mindset driven by hostility, not restraint.
India’s expansionist posture is not limited to Pakistan. In 2019, New Delhi released a revised political map that included Nepalese territories such as Kalapani, Lipulekh, and Limpiyadhura as part of India, a move that triggered a strong protest from Kathmandu and marked a blatant challenge to Nepal’s sovereignty.
Similarly, India has sought to meddle in Bangladesh’s internal politics and continues to resist a resolution over the Teesta river water-sharing dispute. Its threats to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty with Pakistan underscore its strategy of water aggression, dragging the region towards potential conflict. In Sri Lanka, India has pushed for control over key port infrastructure, while in Bhutan, it has attempted to use the country as a buffer zone against China.
Tensions with China flared violently in the 2020 Galwan Valley clashes, and India continues to bolster its military installations along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), choosing pressure over de-escalation. All of this reinforces India’s long-term ambition for strategic supremacy in the region.
Under Modi, Hindutva is no longer a fringe ideology; it has received overt state patronage. Extremist groups like the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and Bajrang Dal have cultivated an atmosphere of hatred, religious intolerance, and violence. India’s once-celebrated pluralism is being eroded, turning the country into a dangerous place for minorities.
Domestically, the abrogation of Article 370, the Citizen Amendment Act (CAA), the National Register of Citizens (NRC), and bans on hijab and beef all point towards systemic marginalisation of Muslims and other minorities. These policies not only violate human rights but also threaten the very fabric of India’s social harmony.
India’s ideological influence now extends beyond its borders. Through its diaspora networks, it has attempted to shape narratives in countries like the US, UK, Canada, and the Gulf states. Rising anti-Muslim and anti-Sikh propaganda, reportedly supported by pro-India groups, has sparked global concern.
The killing of Canadian Sikh leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar, allegedly orchestrated by Indian intelligence, and subsequent investigations lend credibility to these accusations, shaking diplomatic norms.
India has significantly ramped up its military expenditure, investing not only in conventional arms but in cutting-edge technologies like missile systems, drones, nuclear submarines, and space warfare capabilities. The development of long-range missiles such as Agni-V and Agni-VI with ranges exceeding 10,000 km indicates a posture aimed more at power projection than defence.
Despite growing concern over the politicisation of India’s military, new combat formations such as the “Rudra” and “Bhairav” commando brigades have been announced. Furthermore, India has entered into a dangerous collaboration with Israel to develop a rocket system named “PULS”, with a 300-kilometre range, specifically designed to target Pakistan.
Most alarmingly, India is moving away from its declared ‘No First Use’ nuclear doctrine. Its shift toward ‘proactive operations’ and counterforce strategies could turn any conflict into a nuclear confrontation, a scenario with catastrophic global implications. India’s dual-front war preparedness, coupled with a growing missile shield infrastructure, reflects not caution but calculated assertiveness.
Diplomatically, India has become increasingly aggressive on international platforms such as the United Nations, G20, and BRICS. Rather than fostering cooperation, it uses these forums to isolate adversaries and shape global opinion through its narrative. Its disregard for SAARC and other regional cooperative bodies further illustrates how its hostility toward Pakistan is impeding collective regional progress.
India’s media has also morphed into a tool of propaganda. Investigations such as the EU DisinfoLab report have revealed networks of fake media outlets disseminating disinformation about Pakistan and China to mislead global audiences. These campaigns are often supported by cyber operations that intrude into the domestic affairs of other countries, undermining both truth and democratic institutions.
The most dangerous dimension of India’s current trajectory is its nuclear capability paired with an aggressive doctrine. If unchecked, India’s actions risk pushing South Asia to the brink of nuclear conflict. The state’s persecution of minorities, ideological interventions abroad, and efforts to dominate global discourse could dismantle the foundations of international peace and order.
The global community, including the United Nations, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), the European Union, and other major powers, must take urgent notice. There is a dire need to expose India’s aggressive policies and develop a unified strategy to hold it accountable. Silence in the face of India’s increasing belligerence will not protect peace; it will pave the way to peril.
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