(Image source from: x.com/DrSJaishankar)
S Jaishankar, the Foreign Minister of India, is currently visiting Brussels to engage with European Union (EU) leaders. During his discussions, he urged the West to consider New Delhi's response to Pakistan in the wake of terrorism in Kashmir as primarily an issue of combating terrorism, rather than merely a border dispute between neighboring countries. In an interview with the European news platform Euractiv, the Minister provided insights into the evolving geopolitical landscape in Europe and expressed optimism for enhanced relations between the EU and India moving forward. India is currently at a significant point in its negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU, as it seeks to broaden its alliances amidst the strengthening ties between Russia and China.
Jaishankar also criticized how international media has characterized India's military response, known as Operation Sindoor, following the terror attack in Pahalgam, suggesting it was simply a retaliatory action between two nuclear-armed states. He emphasized, "I would like to remind everyone about Osama bin Laden. Why did he feel secure residing for years in a military town in Pakistan, which is akin to their version of West Point?... It is critical for the world to realize that this is not solely an India-Pakistan dilemma. It involves the broader issue of terrorism, which will ultimately impact us all." When questioned about why India refrained from aligning with the EU and other Western countries in imposing sanctions on Russia after its invasion of Ukraine, the Foreign Minister reiterated India's perspective, highlighting that peace cannot be achieved through military conflict.
"We do not subscribe to the belief that differences can be settled through warfare; we are convinced that resolutions will not emerge from combat. It's not our place to dictate what the resolution should be. While we do not position ourselves as prescriptive or judgmental, we are also not disengaged," he stated. He underlined that India maintains strong affiliations with both Ukraine and Russia but reminded that the Western nations had supported Pakistan during its invasion of India shortly after independence. "Each country, understandably, reflects on its own historical context and interests. India holds a longstanding grievance; our borders were breached within months of independence when Pakistan infiltrated Kashmir. The nations that endorsed that invasion? They were mostly Western countries," he remarked.
"If those same nations, who were initially hesitant or reluctant, now propose to engage in discussions about international principles, I believe I am justified in urging them to contemplate their historical actions." Jaishankar also discussed the shifting geopolitical dynamics in the West and noted that multipolarity has already emerged. "Europe must now prioritize making decisions that serve its own interests, utilizing its capabilities and based on the global relationships it nurtures... I hear phrases like 'strategic autonomy' becoming common in Europe—terms that were once part of our lexicon," he noted. He characterized the EU as a significant and increasingly independent player in the global framework. "This is precisely why I am here: to strengthen our ties in this multipolar world," he concluded.
Jaishankar expressed to Euractiv that India holds significant concerns regarding the European Union's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which imposes a tax on products sourced from regions with insufficient climate policies. He stated, "Let’s be clear – we have objections to certain aspects. Our reservations about CBAM are profound, and we have articulated them clearly. The notion that one region can dictate standards for others is something we firmly oppose." Furthermore, the Foreign Minister discussed the strengthening of India's relationship with the United States over time, particularly during Donald Trump's presidency. "I view the world as it is. Our goal is to enhance every partnership that aligns with our interests, and the relationship with the US is of great significance to us. It’s not about any individual leader," he mentioned.
Jaishankar presented India to the EU as a nation boasting a population of 1.4 billion, capable of providing skilled workforce and offering a more reliable economic partnership compared to China. "I recently met with several European firms that have decided to establish operations in India specifically to mitigate risks in their supply chains. Numerous companies are becoming more cautious about where to store their data; they prefer placing it in a secure and dependable environment rather than just opting for efficiency," he added. "Do you genuinely want to entrust that to entities that make you uncomfortable?"
