Washington, Aug 5 (NationPress) US President Donald Trump’s public outreach to Pakistan is straining India-US ties, prompting New Delhi to question the significance of its strategic engagement with Washington, a report has indicated.

Pakistan's support for cross-border terrorism represents a critical national security threat to India. Any US administration that overlooks this issue is guilty of diplomatic negligence. India seeks not unconditional alignment but consistency and respect for its core interests from the United States, as highlighted in a report by 'The Diplomat.'

The report noted that the meeting between US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar in Washington on July 25 raised alarms in India. Observers in New Delhi questioned why Washington would enhance ties with a country that poses a threat to India's security interests, particularly after decades of efforts to strengthen India-US relations.

Compounding the unease, Trump's renewed assertions of mediating between India and Pakistan are concerning, especially since New Delhi has consistently asserted that Kashmir and other sensitive matters are bilateral issues, viewing any interference as a breach of its sovereignty.

Trump's comments about mediation send a clear message to India that its core concerns are negotiable. If Washington is genuinely interested in deepening ties with India, such remarks constitute a serious diplomatic misstep and could potentially undermine strategic interests on a large scale, according to the report in this premier international affairs magazine focused on the Asia-Pacific region.

The report elaborated that the US is undermining trust and weakening the alliances and partnerships it claims to prioritize by engaging with Pakistan—a nation under Beijing’s influence—while failing to address India's core concerns adequately.

The United States must determine if it desires a stable, forward-looking partnership with India or a series of transactional dealings with Pakistan that foster distrust, the report emphasized.

The foundation of India-US relations rests on the premise that India is the sole democratic power in Asia capable of balancing China's increasing assertiveness.

If Washington neglects its trusted partner in Asia, it risks undermining the Indo-Pacific framework amid shifting regional dynamics, the report warned.

If the Trump administration maintains the stance that events in South Asia are irrelevant, it should consider stepping back. Conversely, if it envisions a role in the region, now is the time to affirm that the United States values India beyond being a convenient partner. The administration must clarify its long-term priorities.

The report highlighted that India is an essential and equal partner and deserves to be treated as such. Any actions contrary to India's security concerns could cause irreparable damage to the partnership.

Neglecting India's concerns not only jeopardizes the bilateral partnership but also amplifies voices within India that argue the West is untrustworthy, as cited by 'The Diplomat.'