India-US relations are experiencing a strain, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attributing it partly to Washington's limited understanding of New Delhi's deep-seated concerns regarding cross-border terrorism. Jaishankar highlighted that terrorism sponsored by a neighboring country is a paramount issue for India, and a lack of empathy or appreciation for this from a partner like the US can significantly impact their bilateral ties. He pointed out that while US-Pakistan relations appear to be on an upward trajectory, India feels its vulnerability to decades of state-sponsored terrorism from its neighbor is not sufficiently acknowledged by Washington, creating a hurdle for stronger diplomatic relations.

India-US relations are experiencing a strain, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attributing it partly to Washington's limited understanding of New Delhi's deep-seated concerns regarding cross-border terrorism. Jaishankar highlighted that terrorism sponsored by a neighboring country is a paramount issue for India, and a lack of empathy or appreciation for this from a partner like the US can significantly impact their bilateral ties. He pointed out that while US-Pakistan relations appear to be on an upward trajectory, India feels its vulnerability to decades of state-sponsored terrorism from its neighbor is not sufficiently acknowledged by Washington, creating a hurdle for stronger diplomatic relations.

India-US relations are experiencing a strain, with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attributing it partly to Washington's limited understanding of New Delhi's deep-seated concerns regarding cross-border terrorism. Jaishankar highlighted that terrorism sponsored by a neighboring country is a paramount issue for India, and a lack of empathy or appreciation for this from a partner like the US can significantly impact their bilateral ties. He pointed out that while US-Pakistan relations appear to be on an upward trajectory, India feels its vulnerability to decades of state-sponsored terrorism from its neighbor is not sufficiently acknowledged by Washington, creating a hurdle for stronger diplomatic relations.

With India-US ties lacking the initial momentum seen during the first few months of Donald Trump's second presidency, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said Washington's lack of understanding about New Delhi's cross-border terror concerns might have contributed to the strain in relations.

The minister said terrorism sponsored by its neighbor is one of India's key concerns and if this is not fully appreciated by a partner country, it can impact bilateral ties.

Jaishankar was speaking while addressing the Indian diaspora and policy experts at an event hosted at Asia Society. Replying to former American diplomat and distinguished fellow at the Asia Society Policy Institute Daniel Russel regarding measures to put the ties back on a "better track", the minister said, "I note that much of the world has had a more difficult relationship with the US. I mean that may not be a consolation, but that's a reality."

Pointing out that Washington's ties with Pakistan has been on an upward trajectory, he said, "What for us in India is particularly important is the issue of terrorism. That we feel that...as a country perhaps there are very few countries which have been subjected to the kind of terrorism that we have from a neighbour as part of a deliberate, conscious policy over many, many decades."

"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 too. That you know if... one of my primary concerns is not fully appreciated by my partner, then clearly there is an impact of that on the relationship," he added.

Besides terrorism, India's purchase of Russian oil as well as US tariffs on India have also deeply impacted the ties.

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