“Let me be very direct. European weapons have been used against India. European countries have supplied arms to nations that have been hostile to us,” Jaishankar said. “So when Europe lectures India about our relationships, we find it a bit rich. We will make our foreign policy based on our national interest, not based on somebody else’s priorities.”

The Context of India-Russia Relations

India’s relationship with Russia has been a persistent point of friction with Western nations, particularly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. While the US, European Union, and other Western nations imposed comprehensive sanctions on Moscow and provided military aid to Ukraine, India maintained a notably independent stance — continuing to purchase Russian oil at discounted prices, maintaining diplomatic engagement, and abstaining from UN votes condemning the invasion.

The Western frustration with India’s position intensified as India became one of the largest buyers of Russian crude oil, helping sustain Moscow’s revenue stream during the sanctions regime. European leaders have repeatedly urged India to take a stronger stand against Russia, arguing that the principles of territorial integrity and sovereignty that underpin the international order are at stake.

India’s response, articulated consistently by Jaishankar and Prime Minister Modi, has been that India’s foreign policy is guided by its national interest, not by alliance politics. New Delhi has argued that its energy purchases from Russia are essential for the welfare of its 1.4 billion citizens, that it has consistently called for peace and dialogue, and that its relationship with Russia — which dates back decades and includes critical defence supplies — cannot be reduced to the Ukraine conflict.

The Weapons Argument

Jaishankar’s specific reference to European weapons being used against India is rooted in historical and contemporary reality. During the 1999 Kargil War with Pakistan, India found itself facing adversaries equipped with European-made weapons and technology. France supplied Mirage fighter aircraft to Pakistan, and various European nations have historically supplied military equipment to countries in India’s neighbourhood that have posed security challenges to New Delhi. (Related: Japan Bans Indian Mango Imports After 20 Years Ove…)

More recently, the proliferation of European arms to Middle Eastern and South Asian nations has been a concern for Indian security planners. The global arms trade, in which European nations — particularly France, Germany, and the UK — are major players, has often supplied weapons to nations whose interests conflict with India’s. This reality, Jaishankar implied, makes European critiques of India’s Russia relationship hypocritical.

The argument resonated strongly in India, where Jaishankar’s forthright diplomatic style has made him one of the most popular members of the Modi government. Indian media and social media widely covered his remarks, with many commentators praising his willingness to call out what they see as Western double standards.

India’s Multi-Alignment Strategy

India’s approach to the current global order has been described as “multi-alignment” — maintaining relationships with all major powers while avoiding exclusive alignment with any single bloc. This strategy, which has deep roots in India’s post-independence Non-Aligned Movement philosophy, has been updated for the 21st century under the Modi government.

Under this framework, India simultaneously deepens its partnership with the United States (including the Quad, defence agreements, and technology cooperation), maintains its historically close relationship with Russia (particularly in defence and energy), engages economically with China despite border tensions, and builds ties with the European Union, Middle Eastern nations, and the Global South. (Related: India Defence Budget Hits Record Rs 7.85 Lakh Cror…)

The approach has its critics. Some argue that India cannot indefinitely balance between competing power blocs and will eventually be forced to choose sides. Others contend that India’s neutrality on Ukraine has cost it diplomatic goodwill in Europe without delivering commensurate benefits from Russia.

Jaishankar and the Indian diplomatic establishment reject this binary framing. “The world is not a zero-sum game,” Jaishankar has said previously. “India’s relationships with Russia do not come at the expense of our relationships with Europe or America, any more than Europe’s arms sales come at the expense of its stated values.”

The European Response

European diplomats responded cautiously to Jaishankar’s remarks. A spokesperson for the EU’s External Action Service said: “We respect India’s sovereign right to determine its foreign policy. At the same time, we believe that the rules-based international order benefits all nations, including India, and we encourage all partners to support the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

Behind the scenes, European officials acknowledge that India’s position is unlikely to change and that the relationship must be managed pragmatically. The EU-India trade deal currently under negotiation, cooperation on climate change, and shared interests in the Indo-Pacific mean that neither side can afford a rupture.

As the global order continues to shift — with the US-Iran war, the ongoing Ukraine conflict, and rising US-China tensions creating new pressure points — India’s multi-alignment strategy faces its greatest test. Jaishankar’s blunt messaging to Europe is a signal that New Delhi will navigate these challenges on its own terms, regardless of external pressure.

The post Jaishankar Hits Back at European Criticism of India’s Russia Policy — ‘European Weapons Have Been Used Against India’ appeared first on Daily Tips.

Day 1: Kolkata and Mother House

Rubio arrived in Kolkata on Friday morning, marking the beginning of what officials on both sides have described as “the most significant US diplomatic visit to India in 2026.” His first stop was the Mother House — the global headquarters of the Missionaries of Charity founded by Saint Mother Teresa — where he spent nearly an hour meeting with nuns and visiting the tomb of Mother Teresa.

“Mother Teresa showed the world what compassion and service look like. As a Catholic and as an American, it was deeply moving to visit this place,” Rubio told reporters outside the Mother House. The visit carried personal significance for Rubio, who has spoken frequently about his Catholic faith and its influence on his public service career.

Day 2: Delhi Talks with Jaishankar

Flying into Delhi on Saturday, Rubio met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for a marathon session of bilateral talks that covered a sprawling agenda:

• Iran War and Energy Security: Both sides discussed the impact of the West Asia conflict on global oil supplies and India’s energy security. With India importing over 85% of its crude, the Strait of Hormuz crisis has been a central concern. Rubio briefed Jaishankar on the progress of US-Iran truce negotiations.
• Trade and Tariffs: The contentious issue of US tariffs on Indian goods — imposed earlier this year under the Trump administration’s “reciprocal tariffs” framework — was discussed at length. India has pushed for exemptions on specific sectors, particularly IT services and pharmaceuticals.
• Defence Cooperation: Discussions touched on the PAX SILICA agreement — a semiconductor supply chain initiative signed at the India AI Impact Summit in February — and upcoming defence technology transfers under the DTTI (Defence Technology and Trade Initiative) framework.
• Immigration: The elephant in the room was the Trump administration’s proposed changes to green card rules, which could affect hundreds of thousands of Indian professionals. Rubio acknowledged the concerns but stressed that the new policy “rewards merit and benefits both nations.”

“Strategic Allies” — A Diplomatic Upgrade

The phrase “strategic allies” carries weight in diplomatic language. The US has traditionally referred to India as a “strategic partner” or “major defence partner,” with “ally” typically reserved for NATO members and countries with formal mutual defence treaties. Rubio’s use of “strategic allies” — while not a formal policy change — signals the current administration’s intent to elevate the relationship beyond the partner framework.

Analysts note that this language shift comes at a time when the US is actively courting India as a counterbalance to China in the Indo-Pacific. “Rubio’s choice of words was deliberate. It’s a signal to Beijing as much as it is to New Delhi,” said Dr. Ashley Tellis, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.

Upcoming: Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting

The centerpiece of Rubio’s visit is the Quad Foreign Ministers’ meeting scheduled for Tuesday in Delhi. The Quad — comprising the US, India, Japan, and Australia — will discuss a range of issues including maritime security in the South China Sea, climate action, supply chain resilience, and coordinated responses to the Ebola outbreak in Africa.

This will be the first Quad ministerial meeting hosted by India since the grouping’s Leaders’ Summit in 2024, and it comes at a critical juncture with tensions between China and the Philippines escalating in the South China Sea.

Jaipur and Agra on the Itinerary

Beyond the diplomatic calendar, Rubio’s itinerary includes visits to Agra (to see the Taj Mahal) and Jaipur, where he is expected to visit the Amber Fort and meet with local business leaders. These cultural visits serve a dual purpose: showcasing India’s heritage to a global audience and reinforcing the people-to-people dimension of the bilateral relationship.

Security arrangements across all four cities — Kolkata, Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur — have been significantly scaled up, with multi-layered protocols involving NSG, SPG, and local police forces.

What This Visit Means for India-US Ties

Rubio’s India trip comes at a moment of both opportunity and tension in the relationship. On one hand, defence cooperation, technology partnerships, and geopolitical alignment are at an all-time high. On the other, trade disputes, immigration policy changes, and differing approaches to Russia continue to create friction.

The fact that Rubio chose India for a four-day visit — unusual for a Secretary of State — underscores the importance Washington places on the relationship. Whether this visit translates into concrete outcomes — particularly on tariff relief and the Iran situation — will determine its lasting significance.

Explore more International coverage on Daily Tips.

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