Answer

Western media narratives, rooted in colonial and post-colonial ideologies, significantly influence India’s global image and geopolitical standing. Examining their impact is key to reshaping perceptions and asserting India’s modern aspirations.

Extent to which historically embedded Western media narratives and ideological constructs shape India’s global image

• Colonial tropes and Orientalism: Western portrayals have long framed India as exotic, primitive or backward, reinforcing hierarchical perceptions.
  Example: Katherine Mayo’s 1927 polemic Mother India depicted Indian society as morally and culturally degenerate, shaping American views for decades .
• Framing of terrorism as a “survival struggle”: Major outlets often label Islamist violence as insurgency, downplaying its terror dimension.
• Selective cultural spotlight in film and TV: Global blockbusters focus on poverty, crime or mysticism, obscuring India’s diversity and progress.
  Example: Slumdog Millionaire (2008) catalyzed Western perceptions of India as defined by slums and squalor, a narrative Indians and scholars have critiqued as reductive .
• Binary oppressor-oppressed narrative: Conflicts are often framed through Western ideological lenses portraying India as an oppressor.
  Example: Al Jazeera’s coverage post-Pahalgam emphasized Kashmiri civilians suffering over the terror nature of the attack, echoing the “resistance struggle” trope .
  

Ways in which these narratives impact India’s geopolitical standing

• Skewed foreign policy debates: Media-driven biases influence legislative hearings and policy stances in capitals like Washington.
• Diaspora discrimination and activism: Stereotypes fuel prejudice against Indian communities abroad and hamper their advocacy.
  Example: Post-Slumdog Millionaire, Indian-Americans reported being derogatorily called “slumdogs,” illustrating how film narratives translate into real-world bias .
• Erosion of counterterrorism solidarity: Downplaying terror incidents weakens global conviction for coordinated action against Islamist militancy in South Asia.
  Example: Labeling the 2025 Pahalgam massacre as “indiscriminate firing” diluted its classification as terrorism, undermining calls for international counterterrorism support .
• Weakened moral authority in human rights forums: Negative portrayals on religious freedom and minority rights undermine India’s positions in bodies like the UNHRC.
• Empowerment of rival narratives: China and Pakistan exploit Western media bias to propagate their own strategic narratives in forums such as the UN and media channels like CGTN and ARY News.
  Example: During the 2017 Doklam standoff, China’s state‐run Global Times highlighted Western doubts over India’s intentions, leveraging existing narrative gaps .
  

Steps India should take to change the narrative

• Establish a world-class global news service: Launch an independent, multilingual international broadcaster similar to the BBC World Service
• Expand cultural diplomacy scholarships: Increase the annual ICCR scholarships to foreign students, fostering deeper, grassroots understanding of India’s heritage.
  Example: The Indian Council for Cultural Relations currently awards 3,938 scholarships to students from over 140 countries each year.
• Strengthen state-owned international news channels: Reposition DD India and DD News with enhanced resources and digital distribution to 190+ countries, ensuring a credible Indian voice in global media.
• Support diaspora media networks: Fund and partner with diaspora advocacy organizations and news outlets (e.g., the Hindu American Foundation) to project Indian perspectives in key Western markets.
• Amplify digital diplomacy: Leverage the Ministry of External Affairs’ social media presence with targeted campaigns countering misinformation and promoting Indian narratives.
  Example: @MEAIndia and @IndianDiplomacy together engage 2.7 million users on Twitter, illustrating the platform’s power for real-time narrative management

Despite historical narratives, India’s diplomacy, cultural outreach, and growth offer opportunities to redefine its image. Leveraging soft power and promoting its own narrative can align global perceptions with its geopolitical goals.

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