NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar, in a candid interview with Euractiv, addressed pressing global issues, including India’s stance on international partnerships, its position on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the evolving geopolitical landscape, including trust in US President Donald Trump. When questioned about whether India trusts Donald Trump, Jaishankar responded with a diplomatic yet pragmatic stance. “I take the world as I find it,” he said.“Our aim is to advance every relationship that serves our interests – and the US relationship is of immense importance to us. It’s not about personality X or president Y, ” he added. Jaishankar also addressed India’s neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which has drawn criticism from the EU for not taking a definitive side. “We don’t believe that differences can be resolved through war,” he explained, emphasizing India’s historical grievances and the need for countries to consider their own experiences and interests. During his visit to Brussels, Jaishankar met with EU leaders to discuss the ongoing negotiations for a major free trade agreement. He positioned India as a reliable partner, contrasting it with China by highlighting India’s skilled labor force and trustworthy economic practices. “Multipolarity is already here,” he noted, advocating for deeper EU-India relations in a world where strategic autonomy is increasingly important. Jaishankar also expressed reservations about the EU’s Green Deal, particularly the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). “We have very deep reservations about CBAM,” he said, opposing the idea of one region setting global standards unilaterally. On the topic of China, Jaishankar pointed to the strategic decisions of European companies choosing India to de-risk their supply chains. He emphasized the importance of security and trust in global partnerships, suggesting that companies prefer to operate in environments where they feel secure.
