Trump’s Anti-India and Pro-Pakistan Policies Could Jeopardize U.S. Global Strategy and His Political Legacy

Sep 26, 2025

—

Foreign policy decisions can make or break a leader’s international credibility and domestic political standing. For former U.S. President Donald Trump, a tilt toward Pakistan while marginalizing India carries substantial risks—strategically, economically, and politically. India, with its growing economic clout, technological prowess, and regional influence, is a cornerstone of U.S. interests in Asia. Ignoring this partnership could have far-reaching consequences not only for U.S. foreign policy but also for Trump’s political and historical legacy.

This article explores the potential fallout of an anti-India, pro-Pakistan stance, examining geopolitical, economic, security, and domestic implications, while offering a clear picture of how India’s absence could weaken U.S. strategy in Asia.

Geopolitical Implications: India as a Pillar of Asian Stability

India is the world’s largest democracy and a rapidly growing economic and military power in Asia. It plays a pivotal role in balancing regional dynamics, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, against rising Chinese influence.

Aspect	Impact of Alienating India	Strategic Risk to the U.S.
Military Cooperation	Reduction in joint exercises and arms sales	Weakens regional readiness against threats in Indo-Pacific
Regional Diplomacy	Strained partnerships in South Asia	U.S. credibility may be questioned by allies
Counterbalance to China	India may pivot closer to other powers	Reduces leverage in containing Chinese influence
Maritime Security	Loss of collaboration in Indian Ocean	Threats to supply chains, trade routes, and naval dominance

A pro-Pakistan policy, without considering India’s interests, could destabilize the carefully balanced regional diplomacy the U.S. has cultivated over decades.

Economic and Technological Consequences

India’s booming economy and skilled workforce are vital to the U.S. global position. From technology and innovation to business partnerships, India contributes significantly to America’s economic and technological edge.

Economic Factor	Current U.S.–India Role	Potential Fallout
Technology & IT Talent	India supplies millions of engineers, scientists, and IT professionals	U.S. innovation pipelines may slow; Silicon Valley and tech sectors face talent gaps
Startups & Entrepreneurship	U.S. investors back Indian startups; bilateral tech initiatives	Reduced collaboration, slower growth of cross-border investments
Trade & Commerce	$120+ billion in bilateral trade (2025 estimate)	Trade volumes could shrink, tariffs and barriers may increase
Pharmaceuticals & Manufacturing	India is a major supplier of generics and raw materials	Supply chain disruptions and higher costs for U.S. healthcare

Ignoring India’s economic role in Asia would be akin to cutting off one of the most productive and reliable pillars of global economic growth.

Security and Defence Cooperation

India and the U.S. have significantly deepened their defence partnership over the last decade. Joint military exercises, intelligence sharing, and strategic agreements form the backbone of U.S. regional security strategy.

Key areas of cooperation include:

Joint Military Exercises – Strengthening interoperability and operational readiness.
Arms and Defense Technology Transfers – Advanced systems supplied by the U.S., including fighter jets, surveillance, and naval assets.
Intelligence Sharing – Collaboration in counter-terrorism, cyber security, and maritime domain awareness.
Regional Security Initiatives – India acts as a stabilizing force against regional threats, including terrorism and maritime security challenges.

A shift toward Pakistan could compromise these initiatives, potentially weakening U.S. readiness in Asia and leaving critical gaps in strategic planning.

Domestic Political Implications

India’s diaspora in the U.S. is large, politically active, and influential. Alienating India risks domestic political backlash in addition to foreign policy challenges.

Impact	Explanation
Electoral Influence	Indian-Americans are a growing voting bloc, concentrated in swing states
Business & Academic Networks	Loss of support from Indian-origin professionals in tech, finance, and academia
Public Perception	U.S. media and civic groups may view policy as biased or misaligned with American interests
Policy Support	Reduced bipartisan support for initiatives in Asia

Domestic political costs could be significant, especially for a leader attempting to maintain a strong national security and foreign policy record.

Soft Power and Global Reputation

India provides not just strategic and economic value, but also soft power—cultural, scientific, and educational contributions that enhance U.S. influence worldwide. A policy perceived as anti-India could diminish U.S. soft power:

Academic Exchange – Thousands of Indian students study in U.S. universities annually.
Innovation Leadership – Collaboration in research, healthcare, and technology.
Cultural Diplomacy – India-origin communities strengthen U.S. cultural presence abroad.

Weakening ties with India can therefore reduce America’s global appeal, making it harder to advance foreign policy goals and foster alliances.

U.S. Strategic Partnerships – India vs Pakistan

Category	India Partnership	Pakistan Partnership	Strategic Takeaway
Military Strength	3rd largest army, modern Navy & Air Force, high-tech capabilities	Strong military but internal conflicts limit operational reach	India ensures regional stability; Pakistan is unpredictable
Economic Impact	$120+ billion bilateral trade, IT, tech startups, investment opportunities	Smaller trade volume, limited tech collaboration	India drives U.S. economic growth and innovation pipelines
Regional Influence	Major player in Indo-Pacific, strong democratic alignment	Complex regional role, historical conflicts with neighbors	India strengthens U.S. leverage in Asia; Pakistan offers limited reliability
Talent & Innovation	Millions of engineers and scientists, innovation hubs, startup ecosystem	Limited global tech and talent contributions	India fuels U.S. technology and innovation advantages
Diplomacy & Soft Power	Active in global diplomacy, democratic alignment, enhances U.S. image	Limited diplomatic soft power, may create regional tension	India strengthens U.S. credibility and alliances worldwide
Counterbalance to China	Acts as a strategic partner, maritime cooperation, intelligence sharing	Limited role in balancing China, may align with Chinese interests	India is critical for U.S. strategy in Asia-Pacific
Defense Cooperation	Joint exercises, arms sales, intelligence sharing, counter-terrorism	Limited reliable cooperation, inconsistent engagement	India enhances U.S. defense readiness; Pakistan adds uncertainty
Public & Political Support	Indian diaspora is large, politically active, influential in U.S.	Smaller political influence	India partnership strengthens domestic political support for U.S. policies

Risks of a Pro-Pakistan Tilt

While some argue that closer engagement with Pakistan could help stabilize certain regions, historical trends suggest multiple risks:

Conflict Mediation Challenges – Pakistan’s complex role in South Asian geopolitics often involves contentious issues with India, Afghanistan, and counter-terrorism.
Perception of Bias – Favoring Pakistan over India can be interpreted as taking sides, reducing U.S. credibility in multilateral forums.
Limited Leverage – U.S. incentives alone may not change Pakistan’s domestic or regional strategy, making the effort strategically inefficient.
Potential Backlash – India may seek alternative partnerships with China, Russia, or European powers, undermining U.S. influence in Asia.

In short, a pro-Pakistan tilt without strategic balance could backfire on multiple fronts.

Table: Strategic Comparison – India vs Pakistan Partnership

Category	India Partnership	Pakistan Partnership	Strategic Assessment
Military Strength	3rd largest army globally, modernizing Navy & Air Force	Strong military, internal conflicts limit projection	India offers greater regional stability; Pakistan is unpredictable
Economic Impact	$120+ B bilateral trade, IT, tech, startups	Smaller trade volume, limited tech collaboration	India is a critical economic partner
Regional Influence	Strong regional role, Indo-Pacific engagement	Complex, sometimes contentious relationships	India provides leverage against China, stabilizes South Asia
Talent & Innovation	Millions of engineers, global innovation network	Limited global tech contribution	U.S. gains more from India’s talent pool
Diplomacy & Soft Power	Active global player, democratic alignment	Limited soft power influence	India enhances U.S. credibility worldwide

Conclusion

Donald Trump’s foreign policy approach that leans toward Pakistan while neglecting India could be strategically, economically, and politically disastrous. India is indispensable for U.S. interests in Asia—its talent, market, strategic positioning, and global influence form a foundation that no alternative can easily replace.

Without India’s friendship and collaboration, U.S. efforts in Asia risk instability, reduced soft power, slower technological innovation, and diminished global credibility. Any U.S. leader, including Trump, must recognize that a balanced approach respecting India’s role is not just prudent—it is essential for both national and regional security, economic growth, and long-term strategic success.

Disclaimer

This article is written for informational purposes only and reflects an analysis of geopolitical, economic, and strategic trends as of September 2025. Opinions expressed are based on publicly available information and do not constitute official policy statements. Readers should independently verify developments before making conclusions.

About the author

I’m Himanshu Dhar, a dedicated MIS trainer proudly associated with I Turn Institute. My journey in the realm of data management and automation spans over 14 enriching years. My passion for this field extends to freelancing projects, where I bring real-world practicality into my teaching. My impact in education is marked by the success of over 25,000 students I’ve had the privilege of mentoring, hailing from diverse backgrounds. Beyond the classroom, I’ve had the honor of conducting corporate training sessions and seminars, catering to the unique needs of businesses. Let’s unlock your potential together in the realm of data analysis and automation.