When asked if India can trust US President Donald Trump, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded without hesitation: “I take the world as I find it.” In a recent interview in Brussels, Jaishankar downplayed fears over Trump’s return, emphasising India’s diplomatic focus on interest above ideology.
The interview was published on Euractiv’s YouTube channel on June 10 during Jaishankar’s Brussels visit for the EU-India Strategic Dialogue. Dr. S. Jaishankar discussed the importance of India’s relationship with the United States and whether or not he trusts US President Donald Trump. In an effort to downplay rumours about Trump’s management style, Jaishankar stressed that India interacts with nations rather than individuals and has a history of adapting to shifting governments without losing diplomatic momentum.
In response to the question, the External Affairs Minister remarked that the connection with the United States is extremely important to India because New Delhi seeks to foster relationships that serve the country’s interests in the best way possible, regardless of who is involved. “I take the world as I find it. Our aim is to advance every relationship that serves our interests – and the US relationship is of immense importance to us. It’s not about personality X or president Y.”
Furthermore, in an effort to downplay rumours about Trump’s management style, Jaishankar stressed that India interacts with nations rather than individuals and has a history of adapting to shifting governments without losing diplomatic momentum.
In response to concerns about Trump’s leadership style, Jaishankar reiterated India’s long-standing policy of engaging governments, not personalities, representing strategic continuity. India will cooperate with any US administration as long as it suits common interests, whether in commerce, technology, or defence. The approach is pragmatic: engage where it is advantageous, and disengage when required.
With contentious trade talks back on the table and the U.S. doubling down on its “America First” stance, India’s diplomatic strategy under Jaishankar reflects a calculated pragmatism, focused on safeguarding key national interests in defence, energy, and technology, regardless of who’s in the White House or how Washington’s global posture shifts.
