Prime Minister Modi's multi-pronged tour to the UAE and Europe sought to bolster India-Europe ties amidst global superpower challenges. The agenda included diversifying supply chains, enhancing energy security, AI governance, and discussions on Ukraine/Iran. While bonhomie and awards indicated deeper collaboration expectations, concrete trade outcomes were few. A notable point of contention was Modi's consistent refusal to hold press conferences, which sharply contrasted with European democratic norms. The author emphasizes that India's commitment to democracy, transparency, and accountability must be manifest internally, not solely for international validation, highlighting a significant internal inconsistency in stated values.