That he thinks "western civilization" is just a label the West gives itself and is only a label. He thought the West wasn't civilized at all in its dealings with other countries, particularly with countries like India.
Think of it as "I think it would be a good idea if Western Europe actually WAS civilized." At that time (and still somewhat today) the Western countries thought of themselves as the only truly civilized culture and that most of the rest of the world was barbaric and in need of their influence. That's a good a description as any of the root reason for Colonialism.
