There is nothing discriminatory in saying something is exotic.

What is "exotic" is subjective, it is in relation to the speaker. And it has connotations of "attractive". Nothing negative about it. Until South Asians are as assimilated into the western population as Ukrainians or Swedes or Italians are, they will be considered "exotic" by many.

In Asia, it is westerners who are "exotic".  I am on photographs with strangers  all over Asia, because as a white woman I kept getting asked if people could have their photograph taken with me. I am exotic to them! Although white people have lived in Asia for centuries now, outside of large urban or tourist areas, they are still rare, many Asians have never seen a real live one. They want to show their friends at home they met a westerner...I am not offended, I smile and say, sure! Nothing wrong with that!