'India needs partners, not preachers': Jaishankar once again tears into EU

NEW DELHI: External affairs minister S Jaishankar once again tore into the European nations over their duplicitous stands on global matters, saying India needs "partners, not preachers".
Responding to what New Delhi's expectations would be from an EU partnership, and the European bloc's stand in general, Jaishankar said: "Europe has entered a certain zone of reality check".
"When we look out 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 is changing," said Jaishankar.
He further added: "So, the issue for us, I mean...in many ways...Europe has entered a certain zone of reality check. Now, whether they are able to step up to it or not it's something we will have to see".

This is not the first time the external affairs minister has talked tough about the European Union.
Rejecting the European construct that New Delhi's position on Ukraine could impact global support to it if its problems with Beijing increase, Jaishankar in 2022 had said that India has a difficult relationship with China but it is perfectly capable of managing it.
He had said Europe has to grow out of the mindset that its problems are the world's problems but the world's problems are not Europe's problems.
"In terms of the connection you are making, we have a difficult relationship with China and we are perfectly capable of managing it. If I get global understanding and support, obviously it is of help to me," Jaishankar had said.
"But this idea that I do a transaction -- I come in one conflict because it will help me in conflict two. That's not how the world works. A lot of our problems in China have nothing to do with Ukraine and have nothing to do with Russia. They are predated," he had added when asked why he thought anyone would help New Delhi in case of a problem with China after it did not help others in Ukraine.
"Somewhere Europe has to grow out of the mindset that Europe's problems are the world's problems but the world's problems are not Europe's problems. That if it is you, it's yours, if it is me it is ours. I see reflections of that," Jaishankar had responded.
The foreign minister's remark also assumes significance as it comes when there is heightened tension between India and Pakistan over the terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam in which 26 civilians were brutally killed.
After the government declared its resolve to thwart Pakistan-backed cross-border terrorism, EU Vice President Kaja Kallas urged both nations to de-escalate, which was in sharp contrast to the EU's stand in the Russia-Ukraine war, where the Union has actively been backing Kyiv to challenge Moscow in all forms be it militarily or diplomatically -- significantly prolonging the war.
"Rising tensions between India and Pakistan are alarming. I urge both sides to show restraint and pursue dialogue to ease the situation. Escalation helps no one. I spoke to both S Jaishankar and Ishaq Dar today to convey these messages," Kallas had said.