Rising Tides of Hate: Anti-Indian Sentiment in the West Amid “Global Prestige” Claims
In recent years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has repeatedly touted India’s elevated global standing, often summarized in the Hindi phrase “danka baj raha hai” (the drum is beating), symbolizing international respect and influence. Prime Minister Modi has highlighted diplomatic triumphs, economic partnerships, and India’s role as a “Vishwaguru” (world leader) on the global stage. Yet, as 2025 draws to a close, a starkly different narrative emerges from developed nations, a surge in anti-Indian hate, discrimination, and violence targeting Indian immigrant and diaspora communities.
This wave of hostility, fueled by economic anxieties, far-right rhetoric, and social media amplification, challenges the government’s optimistic portrayal and raises questions about the real-world repercussions of India’s domestic policies spilling over internationally. Reports from think tanks, media outlets, and civil rights groups paint a grim picture.
United States: H-1B Backlash and Social Media Storms
The U.S., home to over 4 million Indian Americans, has seen a dramatic boost in anti-Indian rhetoric, particularly tied to the H-1B visa program for skilled workers. A 2025 report highlights a surge in hate messages on social media platforms, often linked to debates over visas and job competition. Far-right influencers and politicians have amplified narratives portraying Indians as “job stealers,” leading to real-world consequences.
In October 2025, a U.S. Congressman publicly decried the “mass removal of Indian Americans” as necessary, framing it as a national security issue — a statement that drew widespread condemnation yet also fueled online sarcasm and threats. Physical attacks have followed online assaults. Media reports document incidents of Indian students assaulted in 2025, including muggings, racist slurs, and violent episodes in cities like New York and San Francisco.
A Pew Research Center study from September 2025 found that 47% of respondents across 24 countries viewed India favorably, down from 58% a year earlier, with anti-Indian sentiment spiking in the U.S. amid economic slowdowns. Social media analysis from July to September revealed a flood of anti-Indian racism on platforms, with narratives blaming Indians for everything from housing shortages to cultural “invasion.”
Canada: Khalistan Tensions and Anti-South Asian Slander
In Canada, where Indians form one of the largest immigrant groups, hate has manifested in both online and offline spheres. A June 2025 report by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) found posts containing anti-South Asian slurs on X increased by over 1,350% from 2023 to 2024, with much of the acrimony directed at Indians amid diplomatic strains over Khalistan separatism.
Incidents include verbal assaults outside malls, where Indian couples have been targeted with racial epithets, and broader calls to “throw them out” over perceived over-immigration. High-profile cases in 2025, including gang-related violence against Indian students in British Columbia and Ontario, exacerbated fears. Anti-immigrant sentiment has led to 3,258 Indian nationals deported in the first nine months of 2025, with over 2,000 from Canada alone.
Community leaders report a “rise of anti-South Asian hate,” linking it to far-right groups and misinformation campaigns that paint Indians as economic burdens.
United Kingdom: Paan Spitting Controversy and Australia Spillover
The UK has also witnessed heightened hostility, amplified by cultural habits like public spitting of paan (betel leaf), which tabloids and online forums cite as signs of “uncivilized” behavior. Viral videos in 2025 showed racist altercations in areas like Harrow and Slough, with locals demanding deportation.
British social media exploded with calls to “throw them out.” Reports emerged of physical attacks on individuals chewing paan/gutkha, sales being policed, and online searches about “Indian spitting” surging. The hostility has extended to Australia, where Indians face similar backlash tied to immigration debates and economic discontent.
Germany and Broader Europe: Emerging Hostility
While less prominent, Germany has seen isolated but growing incidents, including verbal abuse against Indians in IT sectors in Berlin and Munich. Broader European sentiment, influenced by economic stagnation, mirrors U.S. and UK trends. Indians are often lumped into “South Asian” stereotypes and targeted specifically for their perceived success in tech and finance.
New Zealand: Far-Right Protests Against Indian Cultural Events
In New Zealand, anti-Indian sentiment escalated dramatically in late 2025. On December 20, a far-right group linked to Pentecostal leader Brian Tamaki disrupted a peaceful Sikh Nagar Kirtan procession in South Auckland’s Manurewa. Protesters performed a traditional Maori Haka to halt the parade, displaying banners reading “This is New Zealand, not India,” “Kiwis First,” and “Keep New Zealand New.”
They accused participants of “mass invasion” via immigration, referencing Khalistan flags and cultural displays. This marked the third incident in 2025 and underscored rising intolerance toward Indians, the fastest-growing migrant group in New Zealand. Sikh leaders and Indian-origin communities condemned the disruption as an attack on religious freedom.
The Disconnect: Modi’s Narrative vs. Global Reality
The disconnect is sharp. While the BJP’s claims of India’s soaring global image cite milestones like the G20 presidency and vaccine diplomacy, the diaspora faces unprecedented backlash. Analysts argue this stems from multiple factors: economic populism, far-right movements, and perceptions of India’s internal issues — including religious intolerance and nationalism — exported abroad.
Social media plays a pivotal role, with algorithms amplifying divisive content. As 2026 approaches, the irony is apparent: while India drums “danka” for its global footprint, the ground reality for Indians overseas grows increasingly hostile.
Without addressing root causes — domestic policies, diplomatic engagement, and migrant protection — the drum may continue to echo hollowly against a rising tide of global hate.
This article was also published in The Emerging World Daily, New Delhi.
