India May Play Role in West Asia Peace: Rajnath Singh
Singh said India has made efforts toward peace but stressed that outcomes depend on timing and global conditions
Berlin: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Wednesday said India has consistently maintained a balanced diplomatic approach under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while leaving open the possibility of a greater Indian role in resolving global conflicts, including the West Asia crisis.
Addressing an Indian community event at the Indian Embassy in Berlin, Singh said India has made efforts toward peace but stressed that outcomes depend on timing and global conditions.
“India has tried... But everything has its time. It is possible that tomorrow, the time may come when India plays its role in this and achieves success as well. We cannot rule out this possibility. The Prime Minister has appealed to both sides to end the war. Our Prime Minister has a very balanced approach to diplomatic matters,” he said.
He further noted that the Prime Minister has personally engaged with leaders of countries involved in major conflicts to encourage dialogue and peaceful resolution.
“When he met Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he discussed this. Even when he met Donald Trump, he also said that a solution should be found,” Singh added.
Singh also highlighted India’s positioning in global geopolitics, pointing to its perceived neutrality and engagement with multiple sides. He said India’s diplomacy helped its ships pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
“The way India is moving, you must have seen that in the Strait of Hormuz, no ship from any country was able to pass through. If anyone managed to pass through their 7-8 ships, then it was India. It is not that the US considers India its enemy, or Iran considers India its enemy. This is a very balanced approach of India,” he said.
Earlier, Singh said this was his first visit to Germany, undertaken at the invitation of German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. He noted that 2026 marks 75 years of diplomatic relations between India and Germany.
“Our relations are based on democratic values. In the last seven decades, ties have strengthened across sectors,” he said.
Referring to economic ties, Singh highlighted the depth of commercial engagement between the two countries.
“Germany has become India’s largest trading partner in Europe. More than 2,000 German companies are active in India, contributing to industrial growth and initiatives like Make in India. At the same time, many Indian companies are also establishing a strong presence in Germany,” he added.
