West vs. rest

• The US and Canada have accused India of covert operations targeting terrorists, causing embarrassment to India, its government, and its people.

• India denies any involvement and insists it is not its policy to engage in such acts.

• The US and Canada are expected to provide evidence of official Indian sanction for the alleged plots.

• The allegations are seen as a political use of the argument against a fellow democracy, with India’s enhanced engagement with its diaspora in the West and domestic political calculations in these countries.

• The facts and circumstances of the controversy indicate continued western insensitivity towards India’s security concerns.

• Open calls for violence against India, threats to blow up aircraft, and public celebrations of past violence against India are being tolerated in the name of free speech.

• The West is debating whether free speech protections extend to hate speech.

• The diaspora in western countries contributes to the vibrancy of western societies but also holds the risk of conflict.

• The India-West partnership is critical for democracy and progress in the current century.