Germany has publicly admitted it misstepped by distancing itself from BRICS countries — and it’s shifting course. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in Berlin, and reiterated while appearing at the Munich Security Conference alongside India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, that Europe had made a strategic misjudgment by viewing BRICS members through a single, negative lens. “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,” Wadephul said, adding that this approach created unnecessary distance from nations such as India. Why it matters - Wadephul called the distancing “counterproductive,” arguing it clouded policymaking despite many BRICS members sharing democratic values and overlapping interests with Europe. “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 asked. - He praised India’s predictability and trustworthiness as a partner, framing democratic governance as a central pillar of a renewed relationship between Germany and countries in BRICS. - The statement signals a broader European reassessment of ties with emerging powers — not just a bilateral reset with India, but a shift in how Brussels and Berlin plan to engage multilateral blocs. Broader context - Germany’s course correction comes amid wider debate about global economic realignment. Some European officials and analysts have been re-evaluating whether engagement — rather than distancing — is the best route as BRICS expands its diplomatic and economic footprint. - France has echoed a similar sentiment: President Emmanuel Macron urged at WEF 2026 in Davos to “build bridges and more cooperation with emerging countries, the BRICS, and the G20,” warning that global fragmentation “would not make sense.” Why crypto readers should care - Any warming of ties between Europe and BRICS members could influence discussions around cross-border payments, central bank digital currencies (CBDCs), and alternatives to existing financial rails — topics closely watched by the crypto sector. While Wadephul’s comments focus on diplomacy and shared values, a more engaged Europe-BRICS relationship may change the geopolitical backdrop for monetary and technology cooperation in the months ahead. Bottom line: Germany is signalling a reset — a move from estrangement toward pragmatic engagement with BRICS countries, starting with India — and Europe’s diplomatic posture may be shifting in ways that reach beyond traditional politics into finance and tech debates. Read more AI-generated news on: undefined/news

#CBDC