Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten confronted Narendra Modi over declining press freedom and minority rights during the Indian leader's state visit to the Netherlands, marking the latest instance of Western democracies publicly challenging India on its democratic credentials even as they court New Delhi as a geopolitical counterweight to China.
Jetten raised concerns about media freedom and the treatment of religious minorities during talks in The Hague, according to Indian media reports. India's Ministry of External Affairs swiftly rejected the characterization, with Secretary (West) Sibi George mounting a vigorous defense of India's pluralistic credentials.
"India is a country of 1.4 billion people—the most populous nation in the world," George told reporters. "There is no other country in the world where so many religions have originated—Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism." He emphasized that India had never persecuted its Jewish population, that over 30 million Christians flourish in the country, and that Islam has thrived since the Prophet Muhammad's era.
The exchange highlights a deepening tension in India's global strategy. New Delhi seeks recognition as the world's largest democracy and a natural partner for Western nations wary of Beijing's authoritarian model. Yet that very pitch invites scrutiny of India's democratic health—scrutiny that the Modi government views as patronizing and misinformed.
In India, as across the subcontinent, scale and diversity make simple narratives impossible—and fascinating. George noted that minority populations have grown from 11 percent at independence to over 20 percent today, arguing this demonstrates that "every minority thrives" under Indian democracy. India achieved poverty reduction "without compromising" democratic principles, he added, drawing an implicit contrast with China's authoritarian development model.
But Western governments and international press freedom organizations paint a different picture. India dropped to 161st out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders' 2025 World Press Freedom Index. Journalists covering sensitive topics face legal harassment, online abuse, and occasional violence. Muslim citizens report increased discrimination and targeted violence, particularly since the BJP came to power in 2014.
The Dutch challenge follows similar confrontations with other European leaders. Norway's journalists recently questioned Modi directly about press freedom during a state visit, prompting a terse response from the prime minister. Germany, France, and the United States have all raised concerns in diplomatic channels.
Yet none of this has derailed the West's courtship of India. The Netherlands signed several trade and technology agreements during Modi's visit. The contradiction reflects the geopolitical reality: Western democracies need India as a counterbalance to China more than they need consistency on democratic values.
For India, the calculation is equally pragmatic. New Delhi welcomes Western investment, technology partnerships, and diplomatic support on issues like UN Security Council reform. But it bristles at what it views as double standards—noting that Western powers rarely subjected China to such public scolding during its decades of rapid growth.
The broader question is whether these tensions will affect India's global ambitions. As India positions itself for permanent Security Council membership and greater influence in international institutions, its democratic credentials will face continued scrutiny. How Modi's government navigates this tension—between touting democratic legitimacy and resenting democratic accountability—will shape India's trajectory as a rising power.
