Pakistan-US thaw may influence India’s response to future terror attacks, says ex-US envoy Juster
Speaking at the Hudson Institute’s New India Conference, Juster pointed out Pakistan’s “successful courtship” of the US administration and stated that this development was a surprise to many observers and was seen as disturbing in New Delhi.
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Describing the change as “disturbing for India”, Juster added that it could also have practical consequences for New Delhi’s strategic calculations.
“It’s about Pakistan’s successful flirtation with the Trump administration, which has now gone as far as being an intermediary in US-Iran talks. Frankly, on many levels and for many reasons, this is troubling for India and a surprise to most of us. And there is no need to enumerate all the reasons,” the former envoy said. he said.
According to him, growing US-Pakistan relations “could also have a practical impact on India”, particularly on how it responds to future cross-border terrorist incidents.
Recalling his tenure during past tensions, including the Pulwama and Balakot incidents, Juster said India’s calculus of reaction could be affected by uncertainty over Washington’s position on Islamabad.Also Read: India is watching, Pakistan is taking action: Delhi is losing the optical war
He noted that India “may have doubts about whether the United States will support a strong response” against terrorist groups operating on Pakistani soil.
“But this could also have a practical impact on India. Pakistan’s warmer relations with the US could cause India to limit its response to the next major cross-border terrorist incident. At the very least, unlike other previous incidents, and I was ambassador when we had the Pulwama and Balakot incidents, India may have doubts about whether the US will support a strong response to Pakistan-based terrorist groups,” Juster added.
However, the former US Ambassador also emphasized the greater importance of US-India relations and called on both sides to strengthen ties for mutual benefit.
Highlighting India’s global importance, he said the country’s “large population, market size, technological prowess and growing military” made its rise one of the defining geopolitical developments of the century.
“As someone who has been involved in US-India relations in both the public and private sectors over the last 26 years, I am hopeful that we will get our bilateral relationship fully back on track as both sides take the necessary steps to make this a truly mutually beneficial partnership. Given India’s large population, market size, technological prowess and growing military, its rise will be one of the most important geopolitical stories of this century,” the former envoy said. he said.
He also stated that it is in the interest of both Washington and New Delhi for the US to play a constructive role in India’s growth story.
“It is in the interest of both the United States and India for America to be a positive part of this story,” he added.
