Terrorism concerns and US immigration stance pose hurdles for India-US ties, says Jaishankar

India's security concerns over terrorism and a lack of empathy for them in the United States can hurt bilateral ties, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said in New York on Monday.

Key Challenges

Speaking at an Asia Society event, Jaishankar noted that India has faced decades of terrorism from a neighbour as a deliberate policy. He warned that if a partner fails to appreciate such a deep concern, it creates problems for the relationship. Responding to queries on friction over the past 18 months, he also pointed to growing US opposition to immigration and mobility as a factor affecting public perceptions in both democracies.

Diplomatic Talks

Jaishankar made the remarks at the end of a US visit for the UN General Assembly high-level week, where he held talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. India's readout noted that Jaishankar raised concerns over the US Congress's Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act, which could bring tariffs of up to 100% on buyers of Russian oil like India. He also addressed trade deal bumps and stated that ties with China have improved since 2024, though the border situation remains central.

Context

Foreign policy between democratic nations is heavily shaped by public opinion and trade policies, making economic and security alignment complex. High-level diplomatic visits and multilateral summits often serve as key platforms to address these persistent bilateral friction points.