Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar has described Donald Trump’s approach to global diplomacy as unlike any other US leader before him. Speaking at a media event in Delhi, Jaishankar remarked, “That in itself is a departure that’s not limited to India… President Trump’s way of dealing with the world, even dealing with his own country, is a very major departure from the traditional orthodox manner of doing so.”
He said the world has never “had a US President who’s conducted foreign policy as publicly as the current one.”
No US Mediation on India-Pakistan Conflict, Says Jaishankar
Jaishankar dismissed Trump’s repeated claims of US mediation in ending the four-day India-Pakistan conflict in May. “On the issue of mediating (India-Pak conflict), since 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,” he stated.
He reiterated that India’s position remains unchanged and firmly rooted in its national consensus.
On the issue of US tariffs, Jaishankar underscored that India’s domestic priorities will not be compromised in negotiations. “When it comes to trade, the interests of farmers, when it comes to our strategic autonomy, when it comes to opposition to mediation, this government is very clear. Our positions are there,” he said.
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He added, “If anybody disagrees with us, please tell the people of India that you are not prepared to defend the interests of farmers. Please tell the people of India you don’t value strategic autonomy.”
Taking a sharper tone, Jaishankar commented, “I find it funny that those working for a pro-business American administration are not minding their own business and are instead accusing others of doing business. If you have a problem buying oil or refined products from India, don’t buy it. Nobody forces you to buy it. Europe buys, America buys, so you don’t like it, don’t buy it.”
Trade Negotiations Still Ongoing
Despite the US delegation calling off its planned August visit to India, Jaishankar confirmed that trade discussions between the two countries continue. “Negotiations (India-US trade negotiations) are still going on. But the bottom line is we have some red lines. Negotiations are still going on in the sense that nobody said the negotiations are off. People do talk to each other. It’s not like there’s a ‘katti’ (breaking friendship) there,” he said.
