External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar opined on the unconventional diplomacy practiced by U.S. President Donald Trump at the Economic Times World Leaders Forum 2025. According to Jaishankar, Trump’s foreign policy especially on trade can be described among other things as unusually public: “We have never seen an American president conducting foreign affairs so openly. This break does not die down to India; it is an international consideration.”
The EAM stressed that this public mindset extends to domestic considerations as well. Different from his predecessors, Trump likes to make the announcement in a public forum before going in for touch and feel with the stakeholders. “His style is a huge break from traditional diplomacy carried out behind closed doors,” Jaishankar said.
Speaking with @pranabsamanta at the #ETWorldLeadersForum@EconomicTimes
https://t.co/6rSbrBqRCI— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) August 23, 2025
Tariffs and Trade Tensions
Trump’s announcement raising tariffs on Indian goods by 50 percent has provoked considerable debate, especially given that it was made with no preceding discussion with New Delhi. Jaishankar put forth the observation that tariffs are now being used structurally not only for trade disputes but also for wider strategic contests. He termed it a novel path whereby the first statements are largely made in the public domain before any real dialogue begins.
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When asked for a comment on ongoing trade negotiations, the EAM said that talks remain open, although India has erected very firm red lines. Protecting farmers and small producers remains a no-go area for New Delhi. “Consultations are ongoing, We are not at a standstill. But protecting our domestic interests is our priority,” he stated.
Oil Imports and Double Standards
U.S. criticism of India’s oil imports from Russia was another contentious issue raised by Jaishankar. He pointed out what he termed a double standard: while India comes under scrutiny, no pressure is applied on larger buyers like China and the European Union.
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He also reminded that during the Biden government, India openly discussed its energy needs, which ultimately led to the formulation of a price cap. “The argument about percentages doesn’t hold when others have turned to Iranian oil, which Washington also disapproves of,” argued Jaishankar.
#WATCH | Delhi: “They have a history with each other, and they have a history of overlooking their history… It is the same military that went into Abbottabad (in Pakistan) and found who there?…” says EAM Dr S Jaishankar on relations between US and Pakistan, at The Economic… pic.twitter.com/wpYGfdLpbc
— ANI (@ANI) August 23, 2025
About Mediation and Sovereignty
Replying to questions on mediation, Jaishankar reasserted India’s long-standing position that no external power can mediate on New Delhi’s bilateral issues with Pakistan. “We don’t accept any meddling in our matters of sovereignty,” he stressed.
Jaishankar’s comments capture the difficulty of coming to grips with Trumpian unorthodox diplomacy. India is walking its own line on tariffs, energy politics, and sovereignty even as it talks to the U.S. The EAM had a clear message: While the U.S. style may have changed, India’s central interests remain unchanged.
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