Berlin [Germany], April 22 — Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said Wednesday that India has followed a steady, balanced diplomatic course under Prime Minister Narendra Modi while leaving open the possibility that India may take on a larger role in resolving international conflicts, including those in West Asia.
Speaking at a gathering of the Indian community at the Indian Embassy in Berlin, Singh said India has consistently worked toward peace but that success often depends on timing and broader global dynamics. He praised Indian diplomacy for enabling several Indian vessels to transit the Strait of Hormuz when passage was otherwise limited.
Singh noted that Prime Minister Modi has directly engaged leaders from countries involved in major disputes to push for dialogue and peaceful solutions. He cited Modi’s meetings with the Russian and Ukrainian presidents and referenced talks with former US President Donald Trump as examples of those efforts.
Highlighting India’s perceived neutrality and multi-sided engagement, Singh said India has managed to maintain constructive relations with different powers, which has helped Indian ships navigate contested waters. He framed that outcome as evidence of India’s calibrated foreign policy rather than alignment with any one side.
On bilateral ties with Germany, Singh said this was his first visit to the country at the invitation of German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius and described growing cooperation. He noted that 2026 will mark 75 years of formal diplomatic relations and said the partnership rests on shared democratic values.
Turning to economic relations, Singh described deep commercial engagement between the two countries: Germany is India’s largest trading partner in Europe, more than 2,000 German firms operate in India, and leading German companies are supporting India’s industrialization and Make in India initiatives while Indian firms expand their presence in Germany.
