The unfolding crisis engulfing Narendra Modi and his government presents a deeply unsettling paradox that speaks volumes about the fraught nature of contemporary Indian politics. On one hand, the administration’s aggressive cultivation of nationalist sentiment—fanned relentlessly by a compliant and often servile media landscape—was intended as a strategic move to consolidate domestic support and deflect growing international criticism. Yet, this very tactic has spectacularly misfired, culminating in what appears to be a staged “False Flag” operation in Pahalgam. This incident was subsequently exploited to justify an aggressive military strike against Pakistan, a move that has instead severely damaged India’s credibility on the global stage and painted it as a reckless aggressor rather than a responsible regional power.
This troubling episode exposes the dangerous consequences of intertwining nationalist fervor with statecraft. The Indian media, long criticized for functioning more as an extension of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) than as a critical watchdog, escalated war hysteria with alarming zeal. Their coverage appeared designed less to inform and more to inflame, aiming squarely at stoking patriotism ahead of the crucial Bihar state elections. This manufactured atmosphere of conflict, while potentially benefiting the BJP’s short-term electoral ambitions, has come at the cost of India’s long-term social cohesion and international reputation.
The political gamble has ensnared Modi’s government in a quagmire from which there is no easy escape. Despite the possibility that the BJP may eke out a victory in Bihar, the broader consequences of this policy of fear-mongering and misinformation remain dangerously overlooked. India’s global standing has suffered a profound blow, alienating even long-standing allies and leaving the nation diplomatically isolated. The image of Modi, once carefully cultivated as that of a leader in friendly rapport with world powers, is now tarnished. His selfies with presidents and prime ministers have lost their charm as he finds himself increasingly sidelined in international forums.
Diplomatic rebuffs have been unmistakable. When the Indian delegation set out to explain the country’s belligerent posture, it was met with a frosty reception from major global players. The few gestures of solidarity came mostly from Caribbean nations with significant Indian diaspora populations, but these gestures were overshadowed by the widespread international condemnation. The demand from France to conduct a thorough audit of India’s Rafale fighter jets given by France—a deal already mired in controversy—underscores a broader unwillingness to gloss over India’s missteps. Modi, who cultivated a domestic atmosphere primed for conflict, now faces the sobering reality of being held accountable on the international stage.
Perhaps the starkest indication of India’s diplomatic fall from grace is the G7’s decision to exclude Modi from the upcoming summit in Canada. Such a snub sends a powerful message, signaling that India’s recent actions have not only isolated it but have also eroded the respect and trust that Modi once enjoyed. In a more honor-bound political culture, such a diplomatic repudiation might have prompted the leader to reconsider his approach—or even step down. Instead, Modi seems to have embraced a strategy reminiscent of Israel’s more defiant posture: ignoring international censure and doubling down on nationalist rhetoric, regardless of the damage done to India’s credibility.
The recent “victory” rally celebrating Operation Sindoor epitomizes this troubling detachment from reality. Rather than mark the occasion with sober reflection or a commitment to uncover the truth, the government chose to parade a militaristic triumphalism that feels out of touch with the human cost of the conflict. The innocent civilians caught in the crossfire in Pahalgam—women, children, families—have been largely forgotten in the political spectacle. Instead of offering answers or taking responsibility, the administration has avoided accountability, leaving many to wonder who truly bears responsibility for allowing the attack to happen in such a heavily guarded area.
This raises deeply disturbing questions about the effectiveness and integrity of India’s security and intelligence apparatus. How was it possible for a significant number of suspected militants to infiltrate tourist regions so well protected by Indian forces? Was this a failure of intelligence, a breach in security protocols, or something more sinister? The role of India’s Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), the premier intelligence agency, comes under intense scrutiny. Has it been compromised or politicized to such an extent that it now serves the nationalist agenda rather than the country’s security interests?
Beyond the immediate political fallout, India’s current posture risks inflicting lasting damage on the very democratic principles Modi professes to uphold. The reckless manipulation of nationalist sentiment, coupled with military aggression that lacks solid evidence, threatens to unravel the social fabric of the nation. It fosters division, suspicion, and intolerance, sowing discord in a country already grappling with deep societal cleavages. Moreover, the erosion of democratic accountability—an essential check on power—places India on a dangerous trajectory, where transparency and truth are sacrificed for political expediency.
In the long run, the administration’s reliance on nationalist hysteria to maintain its grip on power may yield diminishing returns. The world is watching closely, and India’s image is hanging by a thread. The true test for Modi’s administration lies not in the staging of military parades or the rhetoric of patriotic fervor, but in its willingness to confront uncomfortable truths. This means investigating the Pahalgam incident thoroughly, providing answers to the families affected, and ensuring that such breaches of security do not recur. It means acknowledging mistakes and engaging constructively with the international community rather than retreating behind a wall of defiance. Most importantly, it demands a leadership that values the fragile bonds of democracy over the fleeting allure of nationalist triumphalism.
India’s future, both domestically and on the world stage, depends on the path chosen now. The stakes could not be higher—not just for Modi and his government, but for a country whose promise has always been to balance diversity with unity, aspiration with responsibility. The administration’s current direction is fraught with peril, but it is not yet irreversible. For the sake of India’s citizens and its standing in the world, there must be a return to honesty, accountability, and a genuine pursuit of peace. Without these, the nation risks slipping deeper into a dangerous isolation that no amount of patriotic rhetoric can ever reverse.
