The document hails India as the “world’s largest democracy” and a “like-minded and trusted partner,” but deliberately overlooks India’s deepening human rights crisis. Strengthening EU-India trade, economic, and political ties has long been among EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s top priorities. In pursuit of that goal, she has imposed EU silence over India’s authoritarian drift – of which those providing EU services are well aware. Indian human rights defenders, independent journalists, and civil society activists face a climate of fear and intimidation. And India’s national human rights commission faces a likely international downgrade.