An Indian proverb says: “When one foot goes, the other rests…”
For Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (41, Greens), however, peace was unthinkable during her 32-hour visit to the second largest country in the world (1.4 billion inhabitants). After a year full of crisis summits in noble locations, Baerbock had to prove its cross-country mobility in India. And showed that diplomatic parquet can also be done without shoes.
Baerbock, the barefoot minister!
Baerbock has been to India before. It’s been a long time: during her university days she spent six weeks in the giant country. Now she’s back: as Minister of Europe’s largest economy. Under permanent observation.
Always there: a stylist who is responsible for Baerbock’s look. But Baerbock quickly realizes that instead of a sophisticated look, barefoot diplomacy is needed here.
Baerbock visiting a temple
Again and again Baerbock has to take off her shoes. When she visits the memorial to the murdered independence fighter Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948), the minister walks barefoot across the damp meadow. Before entering the Sikh place of worship (called “Gurdwara”), Baerbock – like all visitors – has to go through the foot-washing channel, walk over the cold marble with wet feet and red-lacquered toenails. In the poor kitchen next door, Baerbock squats cross-legged next to Indian women and helps bake bread. Barefoot, of course.
Baerbock knows the importance of these pictures: Without shoes, the minister joins millions of desperately poor Indians who can be seen everywhere in the city with ridged, sick feet. The stark difference between rich and poor frightens her very much, says Baerbock.
Her message to India: She is one of the people, not of the political caste. Her message to the Germans: The power of images is not only understood by Green Vice Chancellor Robert Habeck (53).
The German Foreign Minister in a foot bath in front of the entrance to a Sikh temple in the historic city of New Delhi
Again and again Baerbock wants to prove in India that she is not afraid of people. She rides the subway, mingles with people in a crowded market – and makes her security team sweat a lot. In front of the market stalls in Old Delhi, passers-by squeeze past the minister, who is surrounded by armed BKA officers, while rickshaws rattle alongside and power cables hang in thick tangles in the air. Big city bustle typical of India, useful photos for Baerbock – a nightmare for their bodyguards.
In order to score points politically, Baerbock relies on Indian wisdom. You can’t cross the sea by standing on the shore and staring at the water, she quoted an Indian Nobel Prize winner in her speech on Tuesday afternoon at the “Trilateral India Forum”. Means: Baerbock wants more cooperation with India and knows that it has to advertise for a partnership. Even Baerbock can’t walk on water. Not even barefoot.
Baerbock in the crowded New Delhi Metro
Baerbock’s gift: the minister signed a migration and mobility agreement on behalf of the federal government, which was negotiated by the interior ministries of both countries. The goal: specialists and students, among others, should be able to come to Germany more easily.
On the flight home, Baerbock is completely her old self again: in the perfect business look. Black sheath dress, a light purple sweater over it – and black pumps.