May 5, 2025: Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev has strongly asserted that India is a mature, sovereign nation seeking equal and respectful partnerships with Europe, not one-sided relationships defined by outdated colonial attitudes. In the aftermath of the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Sachdev emphasized that if Europe wants India’s support on global issues, it must stand with India in its fight against terrorism.
“If you want India’s support in your problems, you must support us in ours,” said Sachdev. “It’s time for Europe to shed its colonial mindset and stop viewing international partnerships through the lens of its own self-interest while disregarding India’s pain and concerns.”
He called on the international community, particularly European nations, to adopt a firm stance against Pakistan, holding it accountable for cross-border terrorism. “We suffer the pain of terrorism. Are our friends boycotting Pakistan in response? That’s what solidarity should look like,” he added.
Sachdev underlined the importance of moving from a model of moral lecturing to one of mutual respect and cooperation, warning that India no longer accepts condescension from the West. “India is now a grown nation. We need partners, not preachers—especially those who don’t practice at home what they preach abroad.”
Echoing this sentiment, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at the Arctic Circle India Forum 2025, reinforced that India’s global stature means that nearly any significant event worldwide has implications for the country. He noted that while the United States has become more self-sufficient and China is steadfast in its strategies, parts of Europe are still struggling to adapt to the realities of a multipolar world.
Jaishankar stressed that Europe must reflect deeply if it wants to forge meaningful ties with a rising India. “We are looking at a far more contested and competitive global environment. In this world, India seeks partnerships built on understanding, mutual interests, and realism—not on arrogance or outdated hierarchies.”
Following the April 22 Pahalgam attack, which left 26 tourists dead, India took several strong measures against Pakistan. These included suspending the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 and expelling military and diplomatic officials from the Pakistani High Commission. Additionally, India has reaffirmed its resolve to deal firmly with terrorism and ensure that the perpetrators and their handlers face severe consequences.