Trump’s New Twist: Calls Pakistan ‘Incredible’ While Unveiling Gaza Plan | India vs US

The conversation opened with concerns over shifting US policies: tariffs on Indian goods, stricter H1B visa rules, and what many see as Trump’s surprising “pivot to Pakistan.” Ambassador Rakesh Sood argued that India overestimated continuity in strategic alignment, underlining Trump’s transactional approach that reduces foreign relations to trade-offs and personal optics.

Ambassador Arun Singh highlighted why the US still seeks engagement with Pakistan — from nuclear concerns to counterterrorism and regional access — even as India resists third-party mediation on Kashmir. He also stressed that Trump’s desire for quick wins, like a Nobel nomination, shaped some of his unpredictable overtures.

Ambassador Jawed Ashraf added a structural perspective, warning that India must not exaggerate dependence on the US for its security architecture. He pointed out that America’s tactical U-turns with Pakistan are not new, and urged India to balance relations with Russia, China, and other partners to avoid vulnerability.

Concluding the session, Barkha Dutt reminded the audience that for India, sovereignty must remain central. Just as the US defines ties with Pakistan by its own interests, India too must frame its partnerships on national interest rather than pressure.