In light of swift changes in global diplomacy, India must carefully navigate its strategic relationships with both Russia and Western Europe in the upcoming months.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to travel to Germany, Belgium, Canada, and the United States (US) in December, and Russia has also invited him to Moscow for the yearly bilateral summit.
Germany has called on India to lessen its reliance on Russia, with its ambassador to New Delhi, Jasper Wieck, mentioning last week that decreasing Russian oil purchases would hinder Moscow’s capacity to fund the war in Ukraine. On Saturday, the foreign ministers of Germany and Russia convened during the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
This was their initial official meeting of this kind since the onset of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in 2022. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul urged Russia to renounce its "perilous course of escalation" against Germany, Europe, and the NATO alliance.
Relations between Russia and Germany have deteriorated in recent weeks after a drone attack was attempted last month at Leipzig airport.
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Germany attributed the incident to Russia. Shortly after his discussion with Wadephul, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke to the UNGA, where he opposed granting Germany or Japan a permanent position on the UN Security Council and endorsed Brazil and India’s bid.
During the UNGA, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had a meeting with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand on Saturday. Following the meeting, Jaishankar shared on X that both nations are getting ready to elevate their relationship "to a higher level."
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Earlier this week, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated at the UN that Prime Minister Modi is anticipated to travel to Canada in December this year, overlapping with his trip to Florida, US, for the G20 Summit. Carney stated that they have achieved “good progress” in their trade discussions.
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Jaishankar met with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Félix Plasencia Gonzalez as well. Following the meeting, he mentioned that energy relations between India and Venezuela are picking up speed. Jaishankar encountered his Mexican counterpart, Roberto Velasco Alvarez. The two parties are seeking to complete their preferential trade agreement.