INDIA–EUROPE’S GROWING TIES CAN BRING STABILITY TO GLOBAL POLITICS

News: India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has begun his first official Europe visit of 2026, signalling that India–Europe relations are entering a more strategic phase

Strategic Context

• Russia–Ukraine war has destabilised Europe
• S. ambiguity under Donald Trump on NATO, Ukraine, and transatlanticties
• Renewed U.S. push on issues like Greenland, worrying European allies
• Erosion of the idea of a unified “collective West”

In this context:

• India sees an opportunity to build bridges between global centres of stability

New in India–Europe Engagement

• India–Weimar Triangle Format
  • For the first time, India was invited to the Weimar Triangle foreign ministers’ meeting.
  • Members: France, Germany, Poland
  • Purpose: European security, geopolitics
  • India is the first non-European partner in this format
  • Shows Europe’s recognition of India as a strategic actor, not just an economic partner
• Deepening India–EU Relations
  • India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) nearing finalisation
  • Visit of: EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa to India

Broader Foreign Policy Significance

India’s multi-alignment strategy

• Balancing ties with: U.S ,Europe, Russia, Global South
• Transition from: “Non-alignment” → Strategic autonomy
• India positioning itself as a stabilising power, not a disruptor