Joining a motley crew of economic libertarians, Trump acolytes, moderate Republicans and old-school racists at the National Conservatism Conference in Washington, D.C., earlier this month was Ram Madhav, little known in the United States but a towering political figure in India.

Presenting himself as a tolerant, pluralistic conservative, Madhav has in fact helped lead two of the most divisive and violent organizations in Indian history: the Bharatiya Janata Party, where Madhav was general secretary, and its militant, ideological parent organization, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, where Madhav is currently national executive.

His appearance at the convention signals a frightening new chapter in the burgeoning love affair between the U.S. right and Hindu nationalists — those who believe India must become a Hindu ethno-state, where other religions are second-class citizens. American right-wing groups are not simply partnering with Hindu nationalists opportunistically, but encouraging them to evangelize their authoritarian tactics to U.S. political leaders.