News Brief
Shrinithi K
Aug 24, 2025, 12:06 PM | Updated 12:06 PM IST
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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Saturday (23 August) said that ties between the United States and Pakistan have historically been guided by a “politics of convenience,” with past concerns often set aside to serve present needs , The New Indian Express reported.
“They have a history with each other. And they have a history of overlooking that history. It’s not the first time we have seen things. And the interesting thing is that when you look sometimes at the certificates that somebody in the military will give, it’s the same military which went into Abbottabad and found you know who there,” Jaishankar said, in an apparent reference to the US raid that killed al-Qaeda chief Osama bin Laden in 2011.
Speaking at the ET World Leaders Forum, he said such ties reflect tactical considerations, but emphasised that India approaches its relationship with Washington with a focus on “larger structural strengths.”
“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.
“I know what I am about. I know what my strengths are, I know what is the importance and relevance of my relationship. So that’s what guides me,” he added.
His comments come against the backdrop of Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir’s recent visits to the US for discussions on trade, economic development, and cryptocurrency.
Islamabad has also finalised a deal with Washington to build strategic oil reserves.
On US President Donald Trump’s past claims of mediating a ceasefire under Operation Sindoor, Jaishankar reiterated that India does not accept third-party mediation on issues with Pakistan.
“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,” he said.
He noted that while phone calls from the US and other countries are routine during conflicts, it was “quite different to assert” that India’s negotiations with Pakistan were anything but bilateral.
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