A democratic and strategic dissonance in India-German ties

Contact Counsellor

Last Updated11/05/2022

Prime Minister’s recent visit to Germany came at a critical time, shaped by the ongoing Ukraine war.
Even as the United States and the European nations have applied sanctions on Moscow and provided military aid to Ukraine, New Delhi has refused to play ball.
Such moves have raised eyebrows and attracted some amount of criticism from the West.
New Delhi, however, insists that its position on the war is non-partisan and should be appreciated by its allies and friends.

There is growing recognition in India’s strategic circles that New Delhi has to bring more nuance to its approach to Europe.
Given India’s stature, being completely isolated by the West is certainly not a best-case scenario.
With an assertive China on the world stage and at the border with India, New Delhi needs to manage a delicate balancing act while asserting its right to pursue its national interests and strategic autonomy in foreign policy.

There is a clear, albeit delayed, move toward a unified response about Russia in Europe. Its significant reliance on Russian gas and crude notwithstanding, condemnation of Moscow’s moves in Ukraine is near-unanimous in Europe.
India’s abstention in the UN votes and the continuation of its relationship with Russia have raised quite a few hackles in Germany.
In private as well as public discussions, India’s role as a major power and largest democracy is being brought to the forefront and there is a growing expectation that India needs to make a shift from its position on Russia and join hands with the European countries and the U.S. in protecting democracy in need.
Amidst these expectations and pressure tactics, whether the Prime Minister’s visit to Germany helped change the perception and bridge the gap that has been growing, assumes critical importance.
As proved by the Ukraine war, however, New Delhi has chosen to prioritize its interests over pursuing a policy shaped by common democratic values that define Germany, Japan, and India.

For several years now, Indian policies have resisted promoting democracy in the neighborhood and have instead opted to deal with de facto powers.
Afghanistan, where India is still reluctant to do business with the Taliban, is probably an aberration.
India’s policy towards Myanmar’s junta is defined by this pragmatism.
Therefore, the democratic rationale of a convergence of interests to protect democratic values is hardly a strong binding cord between India and Germany.
The geopolitical convergence of countering the rise of China particularly in the Indo-Pacific seems to be a more compelling necessity than the ideational and normative aspects of protecting democratic norms and values.

So far, India has not revised its position on Russia and Ukraine, by continuing to underline its unequivocal condemnation of the violence.
However, India makes it clear that irrespective of its position on a solitary issue of geopolitical relevance, the bilateral engagement with countries like Germany, France, and Denmark remains at the top of its priority.
Purpose - to present itself as not being isolated but as a swing power that can move deftly on the geopolitical and diplomatic chessboard.
The holding of the sixth India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC), a biennial format which India conducts with Germany, assumed critical importance.
India attaches significant importance to the ‘long-standing commercial ties with Germany, an important pillar of the ‘Strategic Partnership’, which the two nations entered into in 2000.
To highlight the convergence of issues of economics, technology, and climate change (low hanging fruits).

India-Germany relations have yet to achieve their full potential.
As there is a lack of understanding of each other’s strategic cultures and domestic politics.
Germany has invited India to the G-7 meeting in June this year, construed as a bid to wean India away from its position on Russia.
However, while the attempt may not be successful, it is certainly a pointer to the emerging multipolarity in the international system, which provides space for major powers such as Germany and India to play a greater role in bringing peace and stability in other theatres, particularly in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific.
In times of shifting geopolitical alliances and realignments, India and Germany can emerge as important poles in shaping the new world order.

Prelims Take Away