Desk:External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has urged Europe to demonstrate greater sensitivity in its approach towards India if it wishes to deepen ties. Emphasizing the importance of mutual interests, he stated that India is in search of partners, not preachers. Speaking at the Arctic Circle India Forum, Jaishankar highlighted India’s consistent advocacy for Russian realism and stressed the complementary nature of the India-Russia relationship.
The minister criticized the West’s earlier attempts to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict without involving Russia, calling such efforts unrealistic and contrary to the fundamentals of diplomacy. “Just as I support Russian realism, I also support American realism,” Jaishankar remarked, underlining a pragmatic foreign policy approach.
Commenting on India-U.S. relations, he said, “The best way to engage with today’s America is to find mutuality of interests, not to let ideological differences weaken the possibilities of cooperation.”
Addressing recent developments in the Arctic and their global implications, Jaishankar responded to a question about India’s expectations from Europe. He said Europe should move away from a patronizing attitude and adopt a framework of reciprocity. “When we look at the world, we seek partners, not preachers—especially not those who do not practice what they preach at home but are quick to advise others.”
He observed that while some parts of Europe are beginning to acknowledge these realities, others still grapple with this mindset. “There has been some progress, but the key will be whether they can move forward from this realization. From our point of view, any partnership must involve mutual understanding, sensitivity, and recognition of shared interests—and a realistic grasp of how the world operates,” he stated.
Regarding India-Russia ties, Jaishankar reiterated that the two nations share a vital synergy, with Russia as a resource provider and India as a major consumer. India has maintained its relationship with Russia throughout the Ukraine conflict, even increasing its purchase of Russian crude oil despite mounting Western pressure.
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