External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday, 29 September said that Washington's failure to adequately acknowledge India's concerns about cross-border terrorism — emanating from a neighbour that uses it as deliberate state policy — is straining India-US relations. He made the remarks at an event in New York when asked about factors hindering stronger bilateral ties.

What Jaishankar Said

Without naming Pakistan directly, Jaishankar made his target unmistakable. '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,' he said. He described the terrorism issue as 'particularly important' for India, adding: '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.'

He further noted that 'if one of my primary concerns is not fully appreciated by my partner, then clearly there is an impact on that on the relationship.' Beyond terrorism, Jaishankar also cited trade as a separate friction point in the bilateral relationship.

The Trump Administration's Shift on Pakistan

Jaishankar's remarks are widely read as a pointed criticism of President Donald Trump, whose administration has moved closer to Islamabad and, according to Indian officials, effectively sidelined Pakistan's well-documented role as a state sponsor of terrorism. This marks a notable departure from the policy stances of previous US administrations, which formally recognised Pakistan's links to global militant networks.

That recognition reached its most acute point after the 11 September 2001 attacks by al-Qaida on the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon near Washington. Pakistan's complicity was further underscored when al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden was found living under Pakistani protection — a fact that triggered deep US-Pakistan tensions at the time but has since been largely set aside under the current dispensation in Washington.

Why This Matters for India-US Relations

India has long maintained that terrorism originating from Pakistani soil — targeting its citizens, security forces, and democratic institutions over several decades — is not merely a bilateral irritant but a core national security concern. New Delhi's position is that any strategic partnership must factor in this reality. Jaishankar's public articulation of this grievance at a high-profile New York event signals that India is prepared to name the gap openly, rather than manage it behind closed doors.

This comes amid a period of otherwise expanding India-US engagement on defence, technology, and trade. The contradiction — deepening cooperation on one hand, a widening gap on counter-terrorism on the other — is increasingly difficult for either side to paper over.

What Comes Next

The remarks are likely to prompt a diplomatic response from Washington and may add pressure to ongoing bilateral consultations. Analysts will watch whether the Trump administration makes any public acknowledgement of India's concerns on Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, or whether the silence continues — a silence that, according to Jaishankar, already has a cost.