In the political landscape, Pakistan celebrates wins in Washington, while India experiences the wrath of Trump's decisions
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The relationship between the United States and Pakistan is on the rise, while the bond between the US and India is strained, marked by rising trade tensions and a personal spat between President Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Improvement in US-Pakistan Relations
A significant milestone in US-Pakistan relations was the historic bilateral trade and energy deal signed in July 2025, which both sides heralded as a landmark cooperation enhancing ties in technology, critical minerals, and energy sectors. The agreement follows the US-mediated ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May 2025, which reduced regional tensions and created space for diplomatic outreach from Islamabad to Washington.
High-level meetings have taken place, such as Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir meeting President Trump in June. These encounters underscore the warming of relations, aided by Pakistan’s outreach and the Trump administration’s receptiveness.
Pakistan offers strategic value to the US as a base for engagements spanning Central, South, and West Asia, critical for intelligence sharing, counterterrorism, and monitoring Afghanistan and Iran. The US also sees Pakistan as a counterbalance to China’s growing influence in the region.
Strained US-India Relations
The apparent pivot toward Pakistan, including a relatively light 19% tariff for Pakistan compared to a punitive 50% on India, has contributed to Indian dissatisfaction. Additionally, Pakistan’s military leadership and diplomats have cultivated close relations and a personal rapport with key US figures, which contrasts with the current colder phase of US-India ties despite former friendly relations between Trump and Modi.
The US has expressed concerns over India’s handling of regional stability and its political posture during recent conflicts, leading to a perceived cooling in strategic cooperation. India's growing strategic autonomy and its diversified foreign policy stance sometimes differ from US expectations, complicating the bilateral relationship.
Summary
US-Pakistan relations are improving due to a combination of geopolitical pragmatism, economic interests, counterterrorism cooperation, and regional stability goals, framed within a transactional approach rather than deeper alliance-building. Pakistan’s diplomatic and military leadership has actively engaged US policymakers to capitalize on these openings.
On the other hand, US-India relations have cooled mainly because of conflicting regional policies, trade disputes, and a reorientation of US priorities favoring Pakistan as a regional foothold, causing strain despite historic ties. As the dynamic between these relationships continues to evolve, it reflects the shifting geopolitics of South Asia and broader US interests in Asia and beyond.
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