Luxembourg Praises India's Pragmatic Diplomacy Amid Russia-Ukraine Conflict

On Monday, 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. He praised External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar for hopping on planes to both Moscow and Kyiv – a diplomatic dance most countries shy away from.

“Usually nations pick a side and stick to it,” Bettel said in an interview with ANI. “Jaishankar visited both capitals, showing a genuine desire to build a bridge rather than score points.” He stressed that such pragmatism isn’t about playing the role of a mediator for its own sake, but about listening, learning and hunting for practical solutions.

Beyond the symbolism, Bettel highlighted the concrete stakes that India’s outreach touches – food security and the smooth flow of Black Sea trade routes. With grain shipments tangled in conflict, any effort to keep the agricultural supply chain humming is a lifeline for millions. “India isn’t chasing big commercial gains here,” he added. “It’s about preventing a wider food crisis, and that’s worth noting.”

He also reminded listeners that Europe should not be left out of any future peace negotiations. “If we’re not at the table, we’ll be happy if someone else is,” he quipped, “but frankly, Europe usually ends up paying the bill, so we’d rather be part of the discussion.”

Switching gears, Bettel warned that trouble in West Asia could soon spill over into global markets, especially through chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. Blockades there threaten the flow of vital fertilizers, which are essential for the very agricultural products already strained by the Ukraine‑Russia war.

He cautioned that unilateral moves – citing recent U.S. and Israeli actions against Iran – skirt international law, underscoring the need for clear mandates before military steps are taken.

Finally, Bettel called for a clean separation between the geopolitical clash with Iran and the protection of key maritime routes. Allowing any country to levy tolls on passage through international straits, he warned, would set a dangerous precedent that could choke global trade.

The Luxembourgese leader made these remarks while on a three‑day visit to India, which includes stops in Chennai for talks at IIT Madras and the inauguration of a new SES campus.