'That Was Wrong': German Minister Acknowledges Alienating India As Member Of BRICS

Last Updated:February 16, 2026, 08:24 IST

German FM Wadephul described India as a trusted democratic partner for Europe, highlighting shared values on rule of law and freedom of speech that distinguish it from China.

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has acknowledged that Europe made a strategic misjudgment in the past by viewing emerging powers primarily through the BRICS framework, saying the approach “was wrong" and led to unnecessary distance with countries such as India.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Wadephul stressed that Europe is now reassessing its global outlook and placing greater emphasis on shared democratic values and common interests with partners like India and Brazil.

Reflecting on earlier European thinking, Wadephul said policymakers had tended to group diverse nations together under the BRICS label, an approach he admitted proved counterproductive.

“Some years ago, we first considered these countries as being members of the BRICS, and that sort of alienated us from them. And that was wrong," he said, signalling what he described as a significant shift in Europe and Germany’s foreign policy perspective.

He explained that Europe now recognises that cooperation with countries such as India should not be overshadowed by their participation in multilateral platforms that also include Russia or China.

While acknowledging continued geopolitical tensions, Wadephul said Europe’s differences with Moscow remain “very, very fundamental," and divergences with Beijing also persist.

However, he emphasised that these differences should not prevent closer engagement with democratic partners.

“We have a lot of things in common with countries like India, like Brazil. Why not focus on these common interests and common values?" he said, describing this as part of “the new view Europe and Germany is putting on the world."

Wadephul also underlined that India occupies a distinct position in Europe’s strategic calculations, particularly when compared with China.

Highlighting mutual trust and predictability in bilateral relations, he said, “We know where India is and that you are predictable, and that we trust you and vice versa perhaps."

According to him, this understanding has helped shape stronger cooperation and “makes a categorical difference to China."

Pointing to shared political foundations, the German Foreign Minister emphasised democratic governance as a key pillar of the partnership.

“We are both democracies. We have freedom of speech. We have the rule of law. And that, of course, means really a lot for us," he said, adding that “India is a very different partner to us compared to China."

Beyond India, Wadephul outlined Europe’s broader effort to diversify partnerships and build resilience amid changing global dynamics.

He said Germany and Europe are strengthening ties across regions, citing longstanding relations with Japan and growing engagement with Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Pacific Island nations, Latin America and countries across the African continent.

“Like India does have a lot of partners, so do we, as Europeans, as Germans," he noted, stressing the importance of widening diplomatic and economic cooperation.

His remarks came on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference, where External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held a “productive" bilateral meeting with Wadephul.

Following the conference, Jaishankar said the two leaders reviewed progress in cooperation across various sectors and “also spoke about regional hotspots."

The interaction followed the conclusion of a free trade agreement between India and the 27-nation European Union in January after prolonged negotiations.

According to a sectoral analysis cited in an ANI report, the agreement eliminates tariffs on over 90 per cent of goods traded between the two sides.

India will gain preferential zero-duty access on 97 per cent of EU tariff lines covering nearly 99.5 per cent of the value of Indian exports, while India will reduce or eliminate tariffs on 92 per cent of its tariff lines for EU imports.

The agreement is expected to boost agricultural and processed food exports such as tea, coffee, spices, fruits, vegetables and marine products, while labour-intensive sectors including leather, footwear, furniture and rubber products are also likely to benefit.

Sensitive sectors such as dairy, cereals and poultry have been safeguarded to protect farmers and MSMEs.

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