US-Pakistan have a history of overlooking history, Jaishankar says at ET WLF

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday said that the relationship between the United States and Pakistan has long been shaped by selective approaches, where past concerns have been 'overlooked' for present convenience.

Speaking at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum, he described the pattern as part of a recurring dynamic in international politics.

“Pakistan and the US have a history with each other, and they have a history of overlooking that history,” he said, adding that such situations are not new. “It’s not the first time we have seen this in US–Pakistan relations.”


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Jaishankar said the tendency of countries to prioritise short-term interests often explains such behaviour. “The issue is when countries are focused on doing politics of convenience. They keep trying to do this, some of it can be tactical, some can have other benefits,” he noted.

The minister’s comments come at a time when Washington and Islamabad have been engaging on security and economic fronts despite longstanding differences.

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir has made two visits to the US in recent months for talks covering trade, economic development, and cryptocurrency. Separately, Islamabad has closed a deal with Washington to build strategic oil reserves in Pakistan and is also set to receive its first shipment of US crude oil.