Europe salutes Modi because of trade interests
The true Janus face of UK and Western Europe has been badly exposed. This lot had ventured into the Indian Ocean Region and the African Coastal areas to pick up the crumbs of the great ongoing trade in the region.
Slowly these scheming scoundrels who were both trading and pirating at the same time, started getting into the local politics and within less than a century became Colonial Masters through their EAST INDIA COMPANIES.
Finally after nearly 200 years the Western colonial empire began retreating and now is nearly out at least physically. However during this period they not only looted insanely, Carried out horrible tortures even in name of their religion and crossed all limits of Human Rights violations. Today’s Black Americans are the most obvious legacy of it
In 20th and 21st Century also these very Countries have been trying various methodologies to lay down Governance Policies for the rest of the World.Well now things have changed with rise of India.
Till June 2014, in order to impose their narrative on others, these Western Countries and even USA had tried to label and Judge the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Shri Narendra Modi. The 2002 Ahmedabad Hindu Muslim riots was being blamed on Modi, who had just taken over.
Though none of these countries had talked about the Godhara episode where Hindu pilgrims had been burnt alive in a train bogie. The then Central Govt led by Congress Party had tried its level best to fabricate cases and implicate Modi but he was exonerated completely by the Supreme Court of India.
Though many Western countries continued the controversy by acting Holier than the Pope. The USA even GRANDLY announced that it will not issue travel Visa to Modi ….without realizing that why would Modi like to travel to visit such wretched people.
These same European nations and even the United States which had announced denial of Visa to Modi, from 2014 onwards began falling “ head over heals “ to welcome Prime Minister Modi. Times have really changed dramatically. Today, Modi’s visit to any country whether of BRICS or G20 becomes a matter of pride for those countries. G7 Countries welcome him warmly, if not actually then certainly outwardly and publicly. This is not because, PM Modi has converted to their view points but because of the irresistible economic and strategic clout of a rising Super Power India.
This reversal was recently highlighted during Modi’s high-profile state visit to the United Kingdom. There, he received a grand reception, including a welcome by their King Charles. UK was so desperate to seal this major trade agreement with India and finally Prime Minister Keir Starmer could breathe properly. The deal, touted as a landmark step in UK-India relations, aims to boost bilateral trade, which was valued at approximately INR 468000 crores ( £41 billion) in the year leading up to September 2024.
Once again, after 500 years of James Hawkin’s saluting Emperor Jehangir and presenting his credentials, heart of Europe’s new embrace of Modi is nothing else but pure commerce. India’s economy is growing by leaps and bounds. The country is already the World’s third largest economy by PPP and soon to become the third-largest in US dollars terms too by surpassing Japan and Germany in next three years. Its middle class, projected to reach 95 million by 2035, offers an enormous consumer base – larger than the population of any single European Union (EU) country. Western nations, struggling with stagnation and feeling terrorized by China after a prolonged infatuation, increasingly see India as an alternative economic partner.
In addition to its economic weight, India is also seen as a strategic counterweight to China. The West is desperate to turn it into a military ally but India will have none of it. Even during US – Soviet cold days, though India maintained a very close strategic friendship with the Soviet Union, it basically pursued its own independent Non Aligned policy.
Today India is viewed by the West as a key partner in maintaining a rules-based international order. However India will not let any one dictate that Order, it will be the consensus Order of the new multipolar World order. Maritime security of Indian Ocean Region and next the Indo Pacific is the main area of India’s responsibility because 60 percent of World trade passes this way.
Even the United States is desperately trying for deeper trade ties with India, but it is Europe that has taken the most concrete steps. In March 2024, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – composed of Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein – finalized a trade deal with India after 16 years of tough negotiations. The agreement includes INR 944000 crores (€95 billion) in projected investments in Indian industries such as pharmaceuticals and machinery. In return India has consented to lifting of tariffs on various imported goods.
The UK, for its part, has worked hard and sweated to secure its own deal with New Delhi. Post-Brexit, Britain was desperate for new global partners, and therefore looked up to India, presenting to it its Commonwealth ties. The UK-India trade agreement promises to enhance British fintech investment through London’s financial sector, and collaboration in technology and telecoms. For accessing Indian defence sector, it will have to stop playing the Great Game over Jammu & Kashmir, chastise Pakistan for its terror support and eradicate anti India activities from its soil by Khalistanis in the name of Freedom of Speech ….simply not acceptable by India. Even all proclaimed economic offenders from India now fugitives in UK need to be handed over.
Now, the EU is preparing for its turn. Earlier this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the full College of Commissioners travelled to India – they really had to show this diplomatic gesture. The purpose was clear: to beg for early EU-India negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement. The EU is already India’s largest single trading partner, with bilateral goods trade reaching INR 1178000 crores( €124 billion) in 2023, nearly double the figure from a decade ago. Over 6,000 European companies operate in India in partnership with Indian companies.
The proposed EU-India deal seeks not only to remove trade barriers but to enhance cooperation in digital infrastructure, green technology, and resilient supply chains – all key priorities for both sides. For the EU, aligning with India also serves as a hedge against global instability, particularly with worsening tensions between China and the West.
However for this strategic and economic enthusiasm the EU has to discard its Janus face. They can no longer impose their racial views or versions on things Indian ….like Varna system or comment on Indian Parliament or judiciary or question the territorial integrity of India by commenting on Jammu & Kashmir. Europeans will have to discard their double standards on their perceived versions and concocted stories of treatment of religious minorities, press freedoms, and civil liberties in India.
Indian don’t see Ukraine conflict in the same way as the West Europeans. For us it is Zelenskey who has devastated Ukraine and EU has been the main culprit. Also Russia is and will remain a close friend. Naturally PM Modi has refused to condemn Russia maintaining close ties with Moscow and purchasing large volumes of discounted Russian oil – much of which used to go to Europe. India has become 70% self reliant in its Arms manufacturing.
However for balance Russia still remains one of India’s largest arms suppliers. This should not raise eyebrows in London and Washington or have they forgotten Nixon’s and Heaths despicable actions during Indo Pak views of sending naval flotillas to threaten India.
Modi’s global reputation is undeniable. In 2023, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese even likened him to Bruce Springsteen, calling him “the Boss” during a public event in Sydney. Brussels too should know who is the boss. EU needs to rectify its mistakes regarding their NATO Chief’s temerity to threaten India over Russian oil purchases.
European leaders are desperate for new markets and more resilient supply chains, and are in no position to dictate or even comment on India’s broader economic and geopolitical goals.
The momentum behind India’s global partnerships shows no signs of slowing. With deals already inked with EFTA and the UK, and EU negotiations well underway, New Delhi finds itself in a strong bargaining position. Modi, stands at the centre of Western diplomatic and economic needs
The West, facing slowing growth, inflationary pressures, moral decay and rising global competition, increasingly views India not through the lens of its internal politics, but as a vital engine of future prosperity and strategic alignment.
Modi’s international makeover is the product of India becoming one of the four poles in this multipolar world. And as long as India continues to offer investment opportunities and it’s huge market, the West will be more than willing to flock to it but this time there will be NO EAST INDIA COMPANY.
