External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at the Arctic Circle India Forum 2025, delivered a pointed message to Europe, stating that India is looking for genuine partnerships, not moral lectures—especially from those who fail to practice what they preach.
Highlighting the shifting global order, Jaishankar observed that the United States has become more self-sufficient while Europe is under increasing pressure to adapt to the emerging multipolar world. He remarked that parts of Europe have yet to fully absorb this reality and urged them to reflect deeply if they wish to foster meaningful cooperation with India.
“We have now reached a size and a stage where almost anything consequential that happens in any corner of the world matters to us. The realities of multipolarity are dawning on Europe, but they haven’t fully adjusted to it,” said Jaishankar. “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 added that successful partnerships must be grounded in understanding, mutual interests, and a realistic grasp of global dynamics.
Jaishankar also highlighted India’s increasing engagement in polar regions, noting its four-decade presence in the Antarctic and growing strategic interest in the Arctic. He emphasized that developments in the Arctic—such as climate change, new shipping routes, and resource competition—will have global repercussions and are particularly relevant to India’s future.
“With a dedicated Arctic policy and collaborations like the KSAT agreement on Svalbard, India is actively expanding its polar footprint,” he said. “As the country with the world’s largest youth population, what happens in the Arctic holds deep significance for our future and for the world.”
