Decoding Jaishankar’s Statement: India Seeks Partners, Not Preachers

On May 4, 2025, India’s External Affairs Minister, S. Jaishankar, delivered a sharp message at the Arctic Circle India Forum in New Delhi: “When we look out at the world, we look for partners; we do not look for preachers, particularly preachers who do not practice at home and preach abroad.” This statement, addressing India’s expectations from Europe, encapsulates India’s assertive foreign policy and its demand for pragmatic global partnerships. It critiques Western, particularly European, moralizing while reinforcing India’s strategic autonomy in a multipolar world. Let’s unpack the layers of this remark and its implications.

Context: A Jab at European Hypocrisy

Jaishankar’s comment responded to a query about India’s ties with Europe amid geopolitical tensions, including the Russia-Ukraine conflict and India-Pakistan relations. The remark subtly targeted European nations perceived as adopting a prescriptive tone without aligning actions with rhetoric. The phrase “preachers who do not practice at home” suggests hypocrisy among some European countries that advocate principles like de-escalation or human rights abroad while overlooking domestic inconsistencies.

The statement followed EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas’s call for India and Pakistan to “show restraint” after a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, killed 26 civilians. Her appeal for dialogue, without explicitly condemning the attack, was seen in India as reflective of double standards, especially given the EU’s firm stance on Ukraine. Jaishankar’s words underscore India’s frustration with such approaches, emphasizing partnerships rooted in mutual respect over unsolicited advice.

Core Themes in Jaishankar’s Message

• Partnership Over Paternalism
  Jaishankar’s call for partners, not preachers, reflects India’s preference for relationships based on mutual sensitivity and shared interests. He stressed that deeper India-Europe ties require “understanding, sensitivity, mutuality of interest, and a realization of how the world works.” This signals India’s rejection of paternalistic advice and its demand for equal footing, particularly on issues like cross-border terrorism from Pakistan.
• Critique of European Double Standards
  The reference to “preachers” critiques Europe’s inconsistent foreign policy. Jaishankar has previously noted Europe’s tendency to prioritize its own concerns, like energy security during the Ukraine crisis, while expecting others to align with its positions. He described Europe as undergoing a “zone of reality check,” adapting to a multipolar world but struggling to shed Eurocentric biases. This aligns with India’s push for Europe to engage as an equal partner.
• Realism in Global Engagement
  Jaishankar advocated for “Russia realism” and “America realism,” emphasizing pragmatic ties based on mutual benefits. He defended India’s energy ties with Russia, highlighting complementarities as a resource provider and consumer, despite Western criticism. This realism underscores India’s independent foreign policy, prioritizing national interests over external pressures.
• A Message to the West
  While aimed at Europe, the statement speaks to the broader West. India has consistently challenged narratives framing its neutral stance on Ukraine or its response to Pakistan-sponsored terrorism as misaligned with global norms. Jaishankar’s 2022 remark—that Europe’s problems are not the world’s, but the world’s problems are expected to be Europe’s—echoes here, asserting India’s ability to navigate challenges like its China relationship without external prescriptions.

Implications for India’s Foreign Policy

Jaishankar’s statement reinforces India’s confident diplomacy under the Modi government, with several strategic priorities:

• Strategic Autonomy: Rejecting “preachers” affirms India’s commitment to decisions based on national interests, evident in its balanced ties with Russia, the U.S., and China.
• Engaging Europe on Equal Terms: India values its growing EU ties—evidenced by high-level visits like Ursula von der Leyen’s in 2024—but insists on mutual respect, especially in trade and Arctic cooperation.
• Countering Terrorism Narratives: The remark indirectly challenges Western calls for restraint in India-Pakistan tensions, urging partners to acknowledge India’s security concerns.
• Shaping a Multipolar World: By critiquing Europe’s multipolar adaptation, Jaishankar positions India as a key player in global forums like the Arctic Circle.

Public and Global Reactions

In India, Jaishankar’s remarks have sparked praise on platforms like X, with users lauding his “firm tone” against European “sermonizing.” Critics, however, caution that India’s defiance risks ignoring global norms. Globally, the statement may resonate with the Global South but could strain ties with some European nations sensitive to such critiques.

Jaishankar’s “partners, not preachers” remark is a bold assertion of India’s foreign policy ethos in 2025. It demands respect, not lectures, as India navigates a multipolar world. As Europe adapts to global realities, India’s call for genuine partnerships will shape its diplomatic future, reinforcing its role as a confident global power.

-By Manoj H