1. Western context:
   In the West secularism means the strict separation of religion and the state. The state has no religion of its own and does not interfere in religious matters, and religion is treated as a private affair of the individual.
2. Indian context:
   In India secularism means equal respect for all religions, or 'sarva dharma sambhava'. The state does not have a religion of its own, but it may intervene in religious matters in order to protect equality, as it did by abolishing untouchability.

So Western secularism stresses separation, while Indian secularism stresses equal treatment of all faiths.