New Delhi: In a sharp critique aimed at European nations, Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday asserted that India seeks partners, not “preachers,” in navigating an increasingly multipolar world. His comments, delivered at the Arctic Circle India Forum 2025 in New Delhi, came as a veiled response to recent remarks from the European Union that drew criticism in India.
Without naming specific countries, Jaishankar said, “When we look at the world, we look for partners, not preachers — particularly preachers who don’t practice at home what they preach abroad.” He noted that Europe is struggling to adapt to the new global realities, and urged the continent to reevaluate its approach to international relations.
His remarks follow a statement earlier in the week by EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, who called on both India and Pakistan to exercise restraint in the wake of the Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed 26 lives. The EU’s appeal triggered backlash in India, with critics accusing the bloc of equating the victim with the aggressor and overlooking Pakistan’s alleged involvement in cross-border terrorism.
Jaishankar emphasized the importance of mutual understanding and respect in global partnerships, saying, “If we have to develop a partnership, there has to be some understanding, sensitivity, mutuality of interest, and a realisation of how the world works.”
Commenting on global strategic shifts, the minister pointed out that the United States has become increasingly self-sufficient, while Europe faces growing pressure to evolve. “The realities of multipolarity are dawning on it,” he said. “I think it has still not adjusted and absorbed it fully.”
Jaishankar also warned of an era of intensified geopolitical contestation, marked by sharper rivalries and strategic recalibrations, particularly as major powers including the U.S., China, and India assert their interests on the global stage.
