Jake Sullivan Accuses Trump of Undermining U.S.–India Relations for Business Interests in Pakistan

Former U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has alleged that former President Donald Trump weakened America’s strategic ties with India in pursuit of his family’s business interests in Pakistan. Calling it “one of the most under-reported aspects of Trump’s foreign policy,” Sullivan warned that the setback carries long-term consequences for U.S. credibility on the global stage.

In an interview with the MeidasTouch YouTube channel, Sullivan emphasized that for decades, successive administrations—both Republican and Democratic—had worked to deepen relations with India, the world’s largest democracy. “We should be aligned with India on technology, talent, economics, and in countering China’s strategic drift,” he said, adding that significant progress had been achieved before Trump’s tenure.

According to Sullivan, Trump sidelined the India relationship primarily because Pakistan was willing to engage in business deals with his family. “This is a major strategic setback because a strong India–U.S. partnership serves our core interests,” he stated.

The former NSA further cautioned that such actions erode trust among America’s allies. “If Germany, Japan, or Canada see this happening, they may conclude, ‘That could be us tomorrow.’ And that only reinforces the perception that countries need to hedge against the United States,” Sullivan remarked.

Highlighting the broader implications, he stressed that undermining confidence in U.S. commitments harms national interests. “Our word should be our bond. Our friends should be able to rely on us—that has always been our strength. What’s happening with India right now has direct consequences, but it also reverberates across all our global relationships,” Sullivan concluded.