On May 7, India launched a targeted military operation against Pakistan in response to a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 civilians dead. The attackers, Islamist militants, specifically targeted Hindu tourists—an example of the cross-border terrorism India has long faced from Pakistan.
Unexpectedly, former U.S. President Donald Trump intervened—not to mediate impartially, but to pressure India to halt its campaign, ultimately favoring Pakistan. For decades, Pakistan’s military has enabled terrorist groups to operate from its territory. This time, when India responded with precision strikes, the Trump administration stepped in to protect Pakistan from consequences.
Despite India’s military success—damaging Pakistani air defenses and striking key bases like Nur Khan—Trump announced a ceasefire on May 10, even before either country officially confirmed it. He later admitted he threatened India with trade sanctions to force an end to the operation, saying, “If you don’t stop, we are not going to do any trade.”
This episode reveals troubling implications: the U.S. used economic pressure, not diplomacy, to shield a nation known for supporting terrorism. It raises concerns in New Delhi about whether U.S.-supplied military platforms could become strategic vulnerabilities during future conflicts.
Adding to the controversy, the International Monetary Fund—heavily influenced by Washington—approved a $2.4 billion bailout for Pakistan during the conflict, effectively rewarding a state accused of fostering terrorism.
Trump’s actions extended beyond South Asia. On May 14, he met with Syria’s de facto leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, a U.S.-designated terrorist. He also proposed to mediate the Kashmir issue—an offer India firmly rejected, stressing there can be no dialogue under the threat of terror.
India currently controls 45% of Kashmir, Pakistan 35%, and China the remaining 20%. Yet Trump’s approach equated the victim of terrorism with its perpetrator, angering Indian officials and citizens alike.
Further straining ties, Trump criticized Apple CEO Tim Cook on May 15 for building factories in India, claiming he persuaded Cook to expand manufacturing in the U.S. instead.
These actions suggest the U.S. under Trump is an unreliable strategic partner for India. While both countries position themselves as natural allies in the Indo-Pacific, trust is tested during crises. In this case, Trump’s intervention may have done lasting damage to a key bilateral relationship.
Brahma Chellaney is a geostrategist and author of nine books, including “Water: Asia’s New Battleground.”
