US indifference to terrorism from neighbour impacts ties: Jaishankar

New Delhi: If India's concerns over cross-border terrorism are not fully appreciated by partners, it can affect bilateral relations, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said, referring to India-US ties against the backdrop of increasing United States engagement with Pakistan.

He was addressing a section of the diaspora as well as policy experts at an event hosted by the Asia Society in New York on Monday on the margins of the UN General Assembly.

Asked about India-US relations, particularly in the context of developments related to trade and tariffs over the past year, and what would have to happen to put bilateral ties on a "better track", he said one of the issues "pertains to the sensitivities of each country".


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Pakistan factor

"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," the external affairs minister said, alluding to Pakistan.

"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 said, referring to India-US ties. Jaishankar also commented on strategic autonomy and multipolarity.

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"There was once a narrative in America that we don't like India having too many options. We want you to focus on your relationship with us even though America kept its options open. Today that pretence has dropped," Jaishankar said. "Everybody is openly dealing with everybody else. And that is how we are heading towards a multipolar world."