Are US Experts Cautioning the Trump Administration About Straining Ties with India?

Washington, Sep 20 (NationPress) US strategic analysts have cautioned the administration under President Donald Trump regarding the potential fallout of weakening relations with India, according to a report released on Saturday.

The 'Eurasia Review' report highlights that prominent former US officials Kurt Campbell and Jake Sullivan noted in an article in Foreign Affairs that “the only thing harder than building and formalizing a deeply significant relationship with India is the absence of one.”

Furthermore, former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley warned that damaging ties with India would effectively grant China an advantage, especially with Beijing's strengthening relations with Moscow.

“Tensions have heightened in the US-India relationship, particularly following President Trump’s imposition of tariffs on India due to its oil purchases from Russia. By penalizing India for its Russian oil imports while fostering bonds with Pakistan, the US risks alienating a crucial partner and jeopardizing India’s long-standing ties with Russia,” the report elaborated.

“If the trust gap between India and the US continues to expand, both nations could lose sway in the strategically essential Indian Ocean region. The reality is undeniable: India and the United States need each other now more than ever,” it stressed.

The report emphasized that, unlike the restrictions imposed on India, Trump’s trade agreement with Pakistan—which included preferential tariffs and support for oil exploration—did not compel Pakistan to curtail its relationship with China. This leniency has emboldened Pakistan to adopt a more aggressive stance towards India.

Moreover, the report pointed out that India’s relationship with the US has deteriorated in recent months, especially after Trump hosted Pakistan’s controversial army chief, Asim Munir, at the White House following the deadly April 22 Pahlagam terrorist attack.

Munir's provocative comments about Pakistan’s potential global repercussions, seemingly directed at India: “If Pakistan goes down, it would take half the world down with it,” made during a meeting in Tampa, Florida, with US military officials, provoked widespread backlash.

Former Pentagon official Michael Rubin likened Munir to “Osama bin Laden in a suit,” criticizing the US for its failure to grasp the ideological roots of terrorism.

“India has been a steadfast US ally since the conclusion of the Cold War. Former President Barack Obama referred to India as an 'indispensable partner' and a vital member of the Quad. India is central to Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy—a framework that China perceives as an 'Asian NATO.' Prior to the recent trade dispute, both countries enjoyed a robust partnership, acting as a counterbalance to China’s influence in the region,” the report concluded.