‘Most of India’s problems with Pakistan stem from its Army’: S Jaishankar

India, he added, should resist any temptation to view itself through a “hyphenated” lens with Pakistan, citing the stark differences in capabilities, governance and global reputation.

“Look at the state of Pakistan. See the differentials and the capabilities and frankly the reputation on either side. We should not get over obsessed and hyphenate ourselves with them. There is a challenge, there are issues that we’ll deal with,” he added.

‘India’s relationships are nobody else’s veto’

Answering whether Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit could complicate India’s negotiations with the US on a bilateral trade agreement, Jaishankar said, “I disagree with you. Everybody knows that India has relations with all the major countries in the world.”

He added that expecting a veto on India’s external engagements was “not a reasonable proposition”. India’s diplomatic choices, he stressed, are rooted in “freedom of choice” and “strategic autonomy”.

“Because remember, the others can expect the same. I think we’ve always made it very clear that we have multiple relationships. We have a freedom of choice,” he said.

“We talk about what is called strategic autonomy and that continues and I cannot imagine why anybody would have reason to expect the contrary,” he added.

‘Diplomacy is about defending our national interests’

Acknowledging that the Trump administration has placed unprecedented emphasis on trade and tariffs, including a 50% duty on Indian goods and further levies linked to Russian crude, he said India will engage on “reasonable terms”, with national interest as the anchor.

“For those of you who think diplomacy is about pleasing somebody else, I’m sorry, that’s not my view… It is about defending our national interests,” he said.

‘India, Russia among the steadiest big relationships’

Speaking on 70–80 years of ties, Jaishankar noted that India–Russia relations have endured global disruptions that reshaped Moscow’s equations with the West, China and Europe.

“India, Russia have actually been among the steadiest big power or big country relationships in the world,” he said, adding that the economic pillar had lagged behind political and defence cooperation — something Putin’s visit sought to correct.

Jaishankar also added that Putin’s visit was designed to expand underdeveloped areas of cooperation, particularly mobility and fertilisers.

Calling them major outcomes, he said, a mobility agreement enabling Indians to “much more seamlessly find work opportunities in Russia”. A joint fertiliser venture that he described as “substantial”, crucial for a country that is the world’s second-largest fertiliser importer.

“It was about building dimensions and facets which it lacked or didn’t have in enough measure.”

‘Peace and tranquillity on the border is a prerequisite’

On ties with China, Jaishankar reiterated India’s position that stability along the Line of Actual Control remains essential for broader engagement.

“Peace and tranquillity in the border areas is a prerequisite for good relations,” he said, adding that issues beyond the border, including trade fairness, subsidies and investment barriers, remain under discussion.

“But it’s not like that was the only issue in the relationship. There were many other issues, some of which predated Galwan. So there are issues about trade, there are issues about investment, there are issues about competition, about subsidies, about fairness, about transparency,” he said.

‘India is a well-wisher of Bangladesh’

On Bangladesh, Jaishankar said India supports the democratic process in its neighbourhood.

“Any democratic country likes to see the will of the people ascertained through a democratic process.”

On whether Sheikh Hasina will continue to stay in India, he said her circumstances would guide her decision, adding: “That is something which she has to make up her mind.”

(With Inputs from PTI)