New York. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said terrorism emanating from the neighboring country is one of India's major concerns and if New Delhi's partners do not fully understand this concern, it has an impact on bilateral relations. His statement has come in the context of India-US relations amid the increasing closeness of America and Pakistan.
Ignoring India's concerns will take a heavy toll on relations.
Jaishankar addressed prominent members of the Indian-American and overseas Indian community as well as policy experts at a special dialogue organized by the Asia Society on Monday to mark the conclusion of the High-Level Week of the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. During the dialogue, moderated by Daniel Russell, former US diplomat and distinguished fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute, Jaishankar was asked about India-US relations.
He was specifically asked about trade and tariff-related developments over the past year and what needs to be done to take bilateral relations in a “better direction”. Jaishankar said, “If I look from a broader perspective… I see that many countries in the world have had more difficult relations with America. I mean, it may not console us, but it is a reality.
Big statement given on terrorism and Pakistan
He then noted that relations between the US and Pakistan have improved over the past year, especially just months after the Donald Trump administration begins its second term in January 2025. Jaishankar said that one issue is “related to the sensitivities of every country.” He said, “What is particularly important for India is the issue of terrorism.” “We believe that… there are probably very few countries that have faced the kind of terrorism that we have faced as a result of a deliberate and systematic policy by a neighboring country over many decades.”
Referring to Pakistan, he said, “Now, if there is not enough understanding or appreciation or empathy about something that is so important to us, then I think that also creates a problem. If my partner doesn't fully understand one of my major concerns, it clearly impacts the relationship.”
Operation Sindoor also mentioned
In May last year, India had launched 'Operation Sindoor' targeting terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in response to the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir. The attack was carried out by 'The Resistance Front', a front organization of Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba and killed 26 people, most of whom were tourists.
Throughout the last year and even in his address to the United Nations General Assembly last week, Trump has claimed that he had stopped the conflict between India and Pakistan. India has consistently denied any third party interference. Trump had hosted Pakistan Field Marshal Asim Munir for lunch at the White House after his return from the G7 leaders' summit held in Kananaskis, Canada in June last year. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also participated in the G7 summit.
Pakistan Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Munir had met Trump again at the White House during the session of the United Nations General Assembly in September last year. Trump publicly praised Munir on various occasions, calling him a “great general, a great field marshal, a great man.” Jaishankar said, “We will certainly hope and expect that India-US relations will move in a better direction moving forward.” But I have to be realistic about the issues at hand and to the extent that we are able to move forward on some of these issues, I think our relationship will be better off.
Statement regarding India-US trade agreement
Just months after the start of the Trump administration's second term at the White House (the official residence and office of the US President), India-US relations have seen ups and downs over challenges such as tariffs, trade, New Delhi's purchase of Russian fuel and Washington's growing engagement with Pakistan. Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar said that if a trade agreement is concluded between India and America, it will “improve” the relations between the two countries. He said that despite expectations of rapid progress in the talks, the ground reality has been much more complex.
Trade-tariff related developments in the last one year and what needs to be done to take bilateral relations in a “better direction”
Jaishankar said, “If I talk about relations, it has been very difficult for a large part of the world to maintain relations with America. I mean, that's not a comforting thing, but that's the reality.”
He said that one of the issues facing India-US relations is trade talks. Pointing out the “stakes” and “complexity” involved in the talks, Jaishankar said, “It should be kept in mind that India is a country of small producers, small agricultural producers and small factories. Apart from the difference in per capita income between India and America, the nature of production and the nature of society are also very different.
He said, “Taking trade talks forward requires a lot of patience and attention to detail… The expectation of it moving forward quickly was tested on the ground reality, which was much more complex.” Jaishankar said, “Today we have reached a situation where there is more or less an understanding regarding the trade agreement.”
In February, India and America had announced to finalize the outline.
The agreement has been subject to further negotiations due to changes in the US tariff structure. The US Supreme Court had earlier canceled the retaliatory tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump under emergency powers. After this America adopted a different duty structure. In July, the US had imposed an additional duty of 10 percent on imports from India under Section 301 of the Trade Act. The move was taken following an investigation into India's measures related to goods manufactured through 'bonded labour'.
Since then, both countries have continued to negotiate a bilateral trade agreement amid changes in the US tariff regime. Referring to Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal's comments, Jaishankar said the issue now is what has changed on the US side and how the new process of Section 301 will affect the agreement.
Jaishankar said, “The 301 process is still going on and moving forward. So the issue for us is at what point to finalize an agreement that has already gone a long way.”
The External Affairs Minister also said that to some extent bilateral relations have been influenced and impacted by developments within the US. “For many years, movement of people was seen as an economic benefit,” he said. Today the economics and politics of people's movement are at odds with each other.
He said that today foreign policy or diplomacy is not conducted only by countries, leaders, ministers or diplomats. “Public opinion is a big factor in the age of social media,” he said, especially in how it plays out in democratic societies.
It is noteworthy that Goyal will be on a visit to America from September 29 to October 5. During this, he will attend the G20 meeting in Milwaukee and hold discussions with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to take forward negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement.