Lack Of US Sensitivity To India’s Pakistan Terrorism Concerns Impacts Ties: EAM Jaishankar

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said the United States’ lack of sensitivity towards India’s concerns over terrorism from Pakistan is creating difficulties in bilateral ties.

Speaking at an event in New York, Jaishankar said terrorism remains a particularly important issue for India. He referred to Pakistan as India’s ‘neighbour’ and said it had pursued terrorism as a deliberate policy for decades.

“Perhaps very few countries have faced the kind of terrorism India has endured from a neighbour pursuing a deliberate, conscious policy for many decades,” he said.

He stressed that India’s primary security concerns must receive adequate understanding from its partners.

“Now, if something which matters so deeply to us, there isn’t enough understanding or appreciation or empathy of that, I think that creates a problem,” Jaishankar said.

He added that when a major Indian concern receives insufficient recognition from a partner, it inevitably affects the relationship.

“If one of my primary concerns is not fully appreciated by my partner, then clearly there is a impact on that on the relationship,” he said.

Jaishankar made the remarks while discussing factors limiting stronger India-US relations. He identified trade and Washington’s approach towards Pakistan-related terrorism as key issues.

S Jaishankar’s comments came as US-Pakistan ties grew closer under President Donald Trump.

Jaishankar said Washington’s current approach differs from earlier administrations, which had raised concerns over Pakistan’s links to terrorism.

The 2001 Al-Qaida attacks on New York’s World Trade Centre and the Pentagon intensified global scrutiny of Pakistan. Al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was later found living in Pakistan.

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