But first things first: This is a very important conference at a very stressful time for a woman of the highest rank: Annalena Baerbock flew to New Delhi for the G20 Foreign Ministers meeting. Top topic: Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine, of course. But what happened at the airport in the Indian capital did not suit the occasion and the person. We saw the German Foreign Minister leaving his plane.

There is no welcoming committee for Baerbock

At the foot of the stairs one would expect a welcome committee consisting of representatives of the host country and the German embassy. But the minister walked down the aisle, looking somewhat annoyed at the cameras of the waiting reporters, quickly turned left diagonally and raised his right hand. “There’s no one there,” he called laughing at the two uniformed men, one from India and one from Germany. Another man rushed over and apologized in English for the lack of reception bars. Baerbock replied in English: “That’s fine”. The German ambassador then runs from the background and hugs the minister. He seemed relaxed, laughing.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs comments: “Foreign service is multi-sport”

The strange video was widely commented on Twitter. Some insulted the minister hatefully, others accused the protocol of failing. Federal Foreign Office seeking to limit damage: “You saw a very warm welcome from ministers and ambassadors with a swift start and strong finish,” he wrote on Twitter. “Foreign service is a multifaceted sport: We are proud of our colleagues who do a good job every day!”

India is dependent on Russia

Several Twitter users compared Baerbock’s remarks to that of Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov, who was apparently greeted by dozens of people outside his plane in New Delhi. You should know that India has a very ambivalent attitude towards the Ukraine war and does not condemn attacks that violate international law. This country is very dependent on Russia, especially in the energy and weapons sectors.

Other officials received the same welcome

However, photos of receptions by other foreign ministers show the same reception protocol on the Indian side that received Baerbock and Lavrov. However, at Baerbock, the admissions committee appears to be waiting some distance from the plane.