Washington, D.C, USA: Former US National Security Adviser has made striking remarks about President Donald Trump, claiming that he distanced himself from India to safeguard his family’s business ties with Pakistan. He warned that this decision was a serious strategic blunder.
President Trump has already been facing backlash for arbitrarily imposing 50% tariffs on Indian goods. According to Jake Sullivan, the former adviser, Trump sacrificed America’s relationship with India purely for personal benefit. He alleged that the Trump family’s business dealings with Pakistan influenced the president’s foreign policy choices. Sullivan made these comments on his YouTube channel, giving them added weight.
“India is the world’s largest democracy. For decades, Washington has worked tirelessly to build a strong partnership with New Delhi. The two nations share common ground on technology and trade, and India plays a critical role in countering China’s influence. Yet, Pakistan showed interest in doing business with the Trump family, and in return, Trump avoided fostering a closer relationship with India. For the US, ties with India are vital. Losing that friendship is nothing short of a strategic setback,” Sullivan noted.
He strongly criticized Trump’s foreign policy, saying it has weakened America’s standing and strained alliances. “This hurts the long-term interests of ordinary Americans,” Sullivan cautioned. He further explained that the cooling relationship with India is now creating both direct and indirect consequences for several other stakeholders.
Meanwhile, India has chosen to remain composed, responding with quiet restraint while preparing its own countermeasures. Experts suggest that New Delhi is turning this challenge into an opportunity, with the government already pushing forward key reforms such as GST changes. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has also encouraged citizens to embrace swadeshi products as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative. While the US levies a steep 50% tariff on Indian goods, Pakistan faces only 19%, highlighting the imbalance in Trump’s approach.
