Europe has no idea how to woo India, says the Economist

Despite their common interests, Europe faces three significant obstacles in building stronger relations with India. Firstly, the European Union’s visa policies for Indian travelers are a major point of contention. While EU citizens can easily obtain visas for India, Indian travelers face cumbersome and often rejected visa applications when trying to visit Europe for business purposes.

Secondly, Europe’s insistence that India must condemn Russia’s war in Ukraine contradicts India’s pursuit of strategic autonomy. India values its independence in forming relationships with various partners without being dictated by their feelings towards each other. On the other hand, America has acknowledged India’s close ties with Russia, making it more successful in forging a partnership.

The third stumbling block is Europe’s emphasis on human rights, which can be perceived as Western interference and hypocrisy by Indian officials. Instances of outside criticism, such as the European Parliament’s resolution condemning India’s handling of ethnic violence in Manipur, have triggered sharp rebukes from India’s foreign ministry.

Despite these challenges, French President Emmanuel Macron seems to have grasped what appeals to India. He refrains from lecturing and focuses on building security ties while echoing India’s rhetoric of strategic autonomy. For instance, he successfully charmed former US President Donald Trump during Indian Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France in 2017. Other European countries keen on closer ties with India may need to follow Macron’s lead to overcome the current hurdles.

While America has seen progress in drawing India closer by aligning its goals with India’s strategic interests, European countries are struggling to achieve the same level of success. Europe’s visa policies, demands regarding Russia, and emphasis on human rights have hindered their efforts. However, by adopting a more understanding and strategic approach, European nations can overcome these challenges and forge stronger ties with India in the future.