Is Trump Fooling India on Pakistan? The Hidden Game Behind Sanctions, Loans & Diplomacy.

 

✍️ Introduction:

In international politics, alliances are never purely emotional—they're strategic. India, in recent years, has attempted to position itself as the United States' natural ally in South Asia. But Donald Trump's foreign policy—often touted as "business first"—raises a pressing question:

Is Trump really India’s friend, or is he playing both sides, especially when it comes to Pakistan?

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🇺🇸 Trump’s “Business-First” Foreign Policy

Donald Trump’s approach to diplomacy isn’t subtle—it’s transactional.

• Trade tariffs on India: Despite calling Modi a great friend, Trump imposed steep tariffs on Indian steel, aluminum, and other exports, damaging Indian industry.

• GSP withdrawal: The US revoked India's Generalized System of Preferences in 2019, which hit Indian exporters hard.

• Arms sales to both sides: Trump proudly sold defense equipment to both India and Pakistan, despite rising tensions in Kashmir and Balakot post-2019.

So, was this diplomacy, or just business?

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💣 Pakistan: Still the “Strategic Ally” Behind the Curtain?

Despite:

• Cross-border terrorism,

• Pulwama-Balakot strikes,

• India’s diplomatic push at the UN and FATF,

Trump-era policies seemed soft on Pakistan.

🔹 Key signs Trump tilted toward Pakistan:

• Opposed India’s push to blacklist Pakistan at FATF

• Supported IMF loans to Pakistan, even when India raised concerns about misuse for military expansion

• Maintained military and technological cooperation with Pakistan

• Stayed neutral in Indo-Pak conflicts, calling for talks—when India expected condemnation of terrorism

📌 Irony?

India was buying billions in US weapons at the same time the US was releasing aid or loans to Islamabad. A classic double play.

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🐉 China, Pakistan, and the US: A Dangerous Triangle

China's full support for Pakistan is no secret:

• CPEC infrastructure

• UN vetoes against India's interests

• Border tension with India in Ladakh

And yet, Trump kept silent on Pakistan-China collusion. Why?

Because while India is a strategic partner, Pakistan is a useful pawn for US interests in Afghanistan, Taliban negotiations, and regional leverage.

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🛡️ India’s Foreign Policy: Smart Moves or Strategic Traps?

India:

• Promoted “Neighbourhood First”

• Sought US alignment through QUAD & Indo-Pacific policy

• Increased defense spending on US weapons

• Raised voice at FATF, UN, G20, SCO, etc.

But result?

• No concrete action on Pakistan-backed terrorism

• No blacklisting at FATF

• Tariffs remained

• US still supported loans to Pakistan

So the big question—is India’s diplomacy reactive, or proactive enough?

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🧠 Is Trump Fooling India? The Strategic Takeaway

Trump’s administration was never fully aligned with India’s core interest on Pakistan.

His priorities were:

1. Weapon deals

2. Regional influence

3. Containment of China—but not at the cost of Pakistan

So yes, India got hugs and handshakes, but not always support when it mattered most.

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🚩 Conclusion: Beware the Smiling Strategist

Foreign policy under Trump exposed a painful truth for India—in global politics, friendship without leverage means nothing.

India must now:

• Diversify alliances (Japan, France, Australia)

• Strengthen regional leadership

• Push harder in multilateral forums

• Move from moral diplomacy to strategic assertiveness

Because when Trump played the Great Game, India wasn’t always sitting at the main table.