Does India trust Donald Trump? EAM Jaishankar says national interest is the pivot, not personalities
External affairs minister S Jaishankar
NEW DELHI: Amid apparent differences with the Trump administration over critical issues like Pakistan's support to cross border terrorism, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said that India's aim is to advance the relationship with the US as it serves India's interests.
During his ongoing visit to Europe, the minister also warned the Europeans that terrorism will come back to haunt them if they ignore it.
"I take the world as I find it. Our aim is to advance every relationship that serves our interests - and the US relationship is of immense importance to us. It's not about personality X or president Y," said Jaishankar, responding to a question about whether India trusts Trump.
Asked about the Pahalgam terror attack and the subsequent military conflict, Jaishankar recalled the presence of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan.
"Why did he, of all people, feel safe living for years in a Pakistani military town, right next to their equivalent of West Point," he asked. "I want the world to understand - this isn't merely an India-Pakistan issue. It's about terrorism. And that very same terrorism will eventually come back to haunt you," said the minister in an interview to Euractiv in Brussels.
He also hit out at Europe for questioning India's ties with Russia, saying every country considers its own experience, history and interests.
"India has the longest-standing grievance - our borders were violated just months after independence, when Pakistan sent in invaders to Kashmir. And the countries that were most supportive of that? Western countries," he said.
'If those same countries - who were evasive or reticent then - now say 'let's have a great conversation about international principles', I think I'm justified in asking them to reflect on their own past," added Jaishankar.
Asked about India's ties with China, the minister recalled his meetings with several European companies in India that have chosen to set up there specifically to de-risk their supply chains.
"Many companies are becoming increasingly careful about where they locate their data - they'd rather place it somewhere secure and trustworthy than simply go for efficiency. Would you really want that in the hands of actors you don't feel comfortable with," he said.
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