Archive · 29 Sep 2026
Jaishankar Says US Empathy Gap Hurts India-US Ties
India’s External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke about the country’s relationship with the United States.
He said India is very worried about terrorism coming across its border from Pakistan.
He said this problem has continued for many years and has been used as a deliberate policy.
Jaishankar believes the United States does not fully understand how serious this issue is for India.
He said this lack of understanding can make cooperation between the two countries harder.
He also mentioned disagreements over trade.
At the United Nations, he said India would defend itself against terrorism.
Pakistan’s prime minister described India’s earlier military action as aggression, showing that the two countries have different views.
S Jaishankar said insufficient US understanding of India’s security priorities is harming bilateral relations.
He attributed India’s persistent cross-border terrorism concerns to a neighboring country, clearly referring to Pakistan.
Jaishankar said India has faced terrorism as a deliberate state policy for many decades.
He identified trade complications as another challenge in India-US relations.
At the United Nations, Jaishankar said India would exercise its right to defend itself against terrorism, while Pakistan’s prime minister described India’s military action as aggression.
- Who
- External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, with references to the governments of India, the United States, and Pakistan.
- What
- Jaishankar said insufficient US understanding and empathy regarding India’s terrorism concerns are affecting India-US relations.
- When
- The Asia Society event was described as taking place on Monday by two reports and Tuesday by another; related posts were dated September 29, 2026.
- Where
- At the Asia Society in New York and, in related remarks, the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
- Why
- Jaishankar said India has faced deliberate, state-linked terrorism from a neighboring country for many decades and considers security particularly important.
India’s Position
Pakistan’s Position
Characterization of terrorism and military action
India’s Position
Jaishankar said India has faced terrorism from a neighboring country as a deliberate policy for decades and said India will defend itself against terrorism.
Pakistan’s Position
Shehbaz Sharif described India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted alleged terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, as external aggression launched under a false pretext.
Role of outside mediation
India’s Position
Indian officials said military actions between India and Pakistan ended after direct talks between their militaries, without US mediation; India rejected claims that Trump brokered the ceasefire.
Pakistan’s Position
Sharif thanked Donald Trump for what he called timely intervention, while reports said Trump took credit for brokering a ceasefire.
- Speaker
- S Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister
- Main security concern
- Persistent cross-border terrorism that Jaishankar attributed to Pakistan
- Effect on bilateral ties
- Jaishankar said inadequate US understanding and empathy for India’s security priorities affects the relationship
- Additional challenge
- Trade complications between India and the United States
- Asia Society event
- Held in New York after the United Nations General Assembly’s High-Level Week
- India’s stated position
- Jaishankar said India would exercise its right to defend itself against terrorism
- Pakistan’s stated position
- Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described India’s Operation Sindoor as external aggression under a false pretext
