Jaishankar's dig at US-Pak relations: ‘They have a history of overlooking their history’

The external affairs minister also underlined that India does not accept any third-party mediations in its relations with Pakistan.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Saturday took a jibe at the relations between Pakistan and the United States, saying that the two countries have a history of overlooking their history.

On India-US ties, Jaishankar said talks were ongoing despite tensions over tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump.(Dr. S. Jaishankar-X)

On India-US ties, Jaishankar said talks were ongoing despite tensions over tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump.(Dr. S. Jaishankar-X)

During an interaction at The Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025, Jaishankar also recalled the capture of al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden from Pakistan's Abbottabad.

"They (US and Pakistan) have a history with each other, and they have a history of overlooking their history... It is the same military that went into Abbottabad (in Pakistan) and found who there?..." Jaishankar said.

He also underlined that India does not accept any third-party mediations in its relations with Pakistan.

"On the issue of mediating (India-Pak conflict), since the 1970s, for more than 50 years now, there's a national consensus in this country that we do not accept mediation in our relations with Pakistan," the external affairs minister said at the interaction.

On India-US ties, Jaishankar said talks were ongoing despite tensions over tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump.

"We are two big countries, as I say, the lines are not cut, people are talking to each other, and we will see where it goes," he added.

US-Pakistan relations

Pakistan and the US have experienced a resurgence in their ties after several years of a stressful relationship.

Earlier this month, Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir made his second trip to the US, where he held high-level interactions with political and military leaders.

Pakistan and the US have also successfully sorted out differences in tariffs and the US settled with 19 per cent tariffs on Pakistani goods.

The two sides have also held a counterterrorism dialogue in Islamabad during which they agreed to deepen bilateral cooperation to tackle leading militant groups, including the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), ISIS-Khorasan, and the Taliban.

As reported by HT, Pakistan is outspending India 3 to 1 on payments to lobbying and strategic communications firms in the US in an attempt to gain greater access to the hallways of power in Washington DC, according to filings with the US Department of Justice reviewed by the newspaper.

Pakistan spends an estimated $600,000 per month on strategic lobbying efforts to gain greater access to the White House, Congress and US government agencies. The country, which has faced a protracted economic crisis over the last few years , has hired a battery of six lobbying and legal firms to expand its outreach in Washington DC.

Strategic Signals from Jaishankar

Jaishankar’s comments are more than passing remarks; they reflect India’s consistent foreign policy approach under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. New Delhi has made it clear that bilateral disputes, particularly with Pakistan, must be settled directly and not through external mediation. This position has remained unchanged regardless of which political party governs in India, showing strong continuity in strategic thinking.

By highlighting the Abbottabad episode, Jaishankar also drew attention to the contradictions in Pakistan’s relationship with the United States. While Washington has often engaged Pakistan as a counterterrorism partner, the presence of Osama bin Laden in Pakistani territory exposed deep fractures in that narrative. His reference reminded the audience of the risks in overlooking historical facts for short-term political convenience.

India-US Engagement Despite Tensions

Although Jaishankar acknowledged tariff-related frictions under the Trump administration, he stressed that communication channels between New Delhi and Washington remain open. The minister’s statement emphasized pragmatism: even when disagreements surface, dialogue continues. Both India and the United States recognize the strategic importance of their partnership, particularly in areas such as defense, technology, and regional security.

President Donald Trump’s approach to tariffs created challenges for several countries, not just India. However, Jaishankar made it clear that ties cannot be reduced to a single issue. Trade disputes, while significant, are only one aspect of a multi-dimensional relationship.

Pakistan’s Lobbying Push in Washington

The detailed revelation about Pakistan’s lobbying expenditures in the United States illustrates Islamabad’s attempt to strengthen its influence. Spending millions of dollars annually on lobbying and public relations campaigns suggests a recognition that domestic instability must be offset with international outreach. Yet, despite these efforts, trust deficits continue to cloud Pakistan’s engagement with Washington.

Conclusion

Jaishankar’s remarks at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025 carry layered meaning. By juxtaposing Pakistan’s history with the United States against India’s principled stance on bilateralism, he underscored New Delhi’s clarity of purpose. Under Modi’s leadership, India continues to signal that it will not compromise on sovereignty by accepting third-party interventions.

At the same time, his acknowledgment of ongoing dialogue with Washington—even amidst disagreements during Trump’s presidency—highlights India’s maturity in handling strategic partnerships. The balance between firmness with Pakistan and pragmatism with the United States reflects Jaishankar’s diplomatic finesse and India’s broader foreign policy vision.

Keywords:

Modi

Trump

Jaishankar

Pakistan

United States

Donald Trump