How India's Democracy Shapes Its Global Role and Relations with the West

List of Key Chapter Titles

1. Introduction
2. India's General Election: The Characteristics of Indian Democracy
3. India's Model of Democracy Promotion
4. Technological Democratization: Digital Public Infrastructure
5. Are India and the West Aligned on Democracy Promotion?
6. India's "Strategic Autonomy" Limits Cooperation with the West
7. Potential Risks
8. Conclusion

Document Summary

The current global discussion on India revolves around two core narratives: first, India's rise as a geopolitical and economic power, and second, Western partners' concerns about its democratic backsliding. On the occasion of India's 2024 general election, this report focuses on the interplay of these two narratives, conducting an in-depth analysis of how India's status as the world's largest democracy fundamentally shapes its global role and its relationship with the West. The core entry point is how the evolution of India's national identity influences its foreign policy.

Many Western nations have long regarded India's democratic credentials as a key pillar of bilateral engagement, while India itself leverages this identity as a crucial foundation for pursuing global leadership (such as a permanent seat on the UN Security Council). However, India's foreign policy often diverges from that of Western democracies. It rarely employs democracy promotion as an explicit tool of foreign policy. Instead, adhering to principles of non-interference and sovereignty, it integrates democracy into development cooperation and technical assistance, forming a unique, low-key promotion model.

The report details the dual nature of Indian democracy: it has shown illiberal tendencies over the past decade, yet its democratic foundations remain resilient, featuring an active opposition and a relatively free and fair electoral system. During the Modi government, India's democratic narrative has shifted towards promoting good governance driven by "technological democratization." Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) has become an emerging area for cooperation with the West in the Global South and a significant tool for countering Chinese influence.

Regarding relations with the West, the report analyzes the superficial alignment and deeper divergences in democratic values: the West views India as a crucial counterbalance to China, while India's principle of "strategic autonomy" leads to differing stances from the West on issues such as Myanmar and Bangladesh. Furthermore, the risk of domestic democratic backsliding in India and the potential permeation of Hindu nationalism into foreign policy also impose limitations on deep Indo-Western cooperation in sensitive areas.

Based on election data, international rankings, bilateral agreements, and multi-country case studies, the report provides an authoritative perspective for understanding the complexity of Indian democracy and its geopolitical impact. It holds significant reference value for policymakers, geopolitical researchers, and international affairs practitioners.