'We Look For Partners, Not Preachers’: EAM Jaishankar's Message To Europe

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, in a veiled critique of European attempts to sway India’s geopolitical positions, stated that New Delhi seeks “partners, not preachers,” adding that some of Europe is"still struggling with that problem", NDTV reported.

Jaishankar made the remarks during an interaction with former Iceland President OG Grimsson and head of the Observer Research Foundation, Samir Saran at the Article Circle India Forum.

Responding to a question on India's expectations from Europe, Jaishankar said, "When we look at the world, we look for partners, we don't look for preachers, particularly preachers who don't practice at home what they preach abroad. And I think some of Europe is still struggling with that problem, some of it has changed".

"Now whether they are able to step up to it or not is something we will have to see, but from our point of view, if we are to develop a partnership, there has to be some understanding, there has to be some sensitivity, there has to be a mutuality of interests, there has to be a realisation of how the world works, these are all work in progress to differing degrees with different parts of Europe, some have moved further, some a little bit less," the minister said.

Jaishankar's remarks come amid ongoing global turbulence after Donald Trump's return as US President and India's tough stance against Pakistan following the 22 April Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed.

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