Luxembourg Applauds India's Pragmatic Bridge‑Building in the Russia‑Ukraine Conflict

During a three‑day visit to New Delhi, Luxembourg’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel took a moment to single out India’s unusually balanced approach to the Russia‑Ukraine war. While most capitals have picked a side, India’s external affairs chief, S. Jaishankar, has been shuttling between Moscow and Kyiv – a fact Bettel described as a genuine attempt at ‘bridge‑building’.

“Jaishankar went to Moscow and then to Kyiv. Usually a country visits one, not both. That shows a will to listen to both sides and to look for solutions, not to act as a proxy for anyone,” Bettel told ANI. He added that this pragmatic stance is especially valuable when the world is wrestling with food‑security anxieties tied to Black‑Sea trade routes.

Speaking of grain shipments, Bettel highlighted how disruptions in the Black Sea can ripple into global markets, threatening the flow of wheat and other staples. “Every effort that helps avoid a food crisis matters,” he said, noting that India’s actions appear motivated more by global stability than by commercial gain.

The Luxembourg leader also reminded listeners that Europe must have a seat at any future peace negotiations. “If we are not at the table, we should be happy if someone else is, but Europe should stay involved because we often foot the bill,” he warned.

Turning to a different flashpoint, Bettel raised alarm over the growing economic and security threats emanating from West Asia. He pointed to the strategic Strait of Hormuz, where blockades and the looming risk of fertilizer shortages could cripple agricultural production worldwide.

“It’s not just about economic security; it’s about fertilizers. If those don’t arrive, we could face serious problems in the months or years ahead,” he cautioned.

On the legal front, Bettel criticised unilateral moves by the United States and Israel against Iran, arguing they sidestepped established international law. “You need a mandate,” he said, underscoring that any action should respect maritime and commercial conventions.

He called for a clear separation between the ongoing war in Iran and the protection of the Hormuz corridor. Allowing nations to charge tolls for passage, he warned, would set a dangerous precedent that could spiral into a “nightmare” of competing tolls.

In closing, Bettel urged collective action to keep the Hormuz route safe while treating the Iran conflict as a distinct issue. “Safety in Hormuz is vital. We need joint initiatives for that, but we must keep the war and the maritime security debates separate,” he concluded.

The visit will also see Bettel touring Chennai, meeting researchers at IIT Madras and inaugurating a new SES campus, underscoring the growing ties between the two small yet influential European nations and the world’s largest democracy.