India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that differences over terrorism could affect the India-US relationship, while stressing that New Delhi expects its partners to understand the seriousness of cross-border terrorism for India.
Speaking at an Asia Society event in New York, Jaishankar placed terrorism alongside trade as an issue complicating bilateral ties. He referred to terrorism originating from a neighbouring country and said India had faced the problem for decades. He argued that when an issue considered a primary concern by one partner is not sufficiently understood or appreciated by the other, it can have an impact on the relationship.
Jaishankar’s remarks came amid continuing uncertainty over India-US trade negotiations. The two countries have held multiple rounds of discussions, with tariffs, market access and other economic issues remaining important areas of negotiation. Earlier analysis by the Asia Society Policy Institute has also highlighted trade and broader geopolitical differences as factors shaping the bilateral relationship.
Pakistan’s renewed engagement with Washington has added another dimension to India’s concerns. Jaishankar did not name Pakistan in his key remarks at the Asia Society event, but his reference to terrorism from a neighbouring country was widely understood in that context. He also noted that the United States itself had experienced terrorism and suggested that the issue should therefore receive adequate attention.
India has consistently raised concerns about cross-border terrorism in international forums, maintaining that its security interests and right to respond to terrorist threats must be recognised. The latest comments underline how security concerns remain closely connected with the wider diplomatic and economic relationship between New Delhi and Washington.
