Week in Review: India Balances Europe, North America and Quad
Indian diplomacy moved on several fronts during the week of October 25 to 31. New Delhi pursued partnerships with Europe, West Asia, North America and the Indo-Pacific, holding high-level visits, bilateral talks and multilateral meetings. Taken together, the week offers a useful snapshot of where India's foreign policy is heading.
On the economic side, India advanced trade, investment and strategic cooperation with European countries. It also maintained steady communication with the United States and Canada. The week closed with the G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, which placed these bilateral efforts within a larger global frame.
At Atlanta, on October 30 and 31, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented India. He addressed global conflicts, energy security, food supply, maritime trade and international cooperation. The meeting was the most important multilateral event of the week.
Jaishankar argued that today's global crises should be addressed through diplomacy, not military means. He stressed that wars affect much more than the nations directly fighting them. Food, energy and supply chains carry the consequences across the world, with the Global South particularly exposed.
He took part in the Quad foreign ministers' meeting as well. The United States, India, Japan and Australia reviewed cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, regional security and strategic coordination. The session helped set the stage for the next proposed Quad leaders' summit.
Jaishankar's diplomatic activity before Atlanta included important consultations. On October 30, he held talks with Kaja Kallas, the European Union's foreign policy chief, covering the Ukraine conflict and West Asia.
He reviewed cooperation with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. He also spoke with Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and Anita Anand about the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation Partnership (ACITI), which received special attention.
Meetings with the foreign ministers of Argentina, Brazil, Mexico and Germany rounded out the schedule. Argentina discussions included trade, critical minerals, defence and nuclear cooperation. Mexico talks emphasised new momentum in bilateral ties.
The state visit of Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein and Princess Sophie, from October 25 to 28, 2026, was another highlight. In his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, the two sides discussed trade, investment, science, technology, innovation and economic cooperation under the India-EFTA (European Free Trade Association) agreement.
India's growing contact with Austria and Gulf countries also featured prominently. Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger's visit to India included talks with Jaishankar on trade, technology and European cooperation.
Three priorities define India's diplomacy during this period. The first is strategic dialogue with partners in the United States, Europe and the Indo-Pacific. The second is building new cooperation in trade, critical minerals, energy and emerging technology. The third is advocating diplomatic resolution of conflicts such as Russia-Ukraine and West Asia, alongside global economic stability.