India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has criticized the United States for its approach to Pakistan, pointing out that while the US has tensions with India, it maintains close ties with Pakistan. Speaking at the World Leaders Forum in Delhi, Jaishankar emphasized that historical context should not be forgotten, citing the Abbottabad operation where the US military killed Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the September 11 attacks, as a reminder of the past. He remarked that the US strikes and later reconciles with Pakistan, highlighting the opportunistic nature of such political moves.
#WATCH | Delhi: At The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, EAM Dr S Jaishankar speaks on US President Donald Trump, he says, "We've not had a US President who's conducted foreign policy as publicly as the current one. That itself is a departure that's not limited to India…… pic.twitter.com/vo0qbQDwgv
— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2025
On trade matters, Jaishankar strongly condemned US-imposed tariffs on India, stressing that India is not compelled to buy oil or other goods from Russia if it chooses not to. He criticized the US for selectively trading with preferred partners while imposing restrictions on others, and reaffirmed India’s commitment to protecting its trade and farmers’ interests. He added that any disagreement with India should not come at the expense of the welfare of Indian farmers, asserting that India carefully monitors international developments and prioritizes its own critical issues.