title:US-India Talks Collapse Boosts Pakistan Washington Influence
ISLAMABAD: High-level bilateral talks between the United States and Indiahave abruptly collapsed, driven by unresolved trade disputes and mountingdiplomatic tensions, creating an unexpected strategic opening that Pakistanhas swiftly exploited to enhance its influence in Washington. The failure,occurring against the backdrop of reciprocal tariff escalations andperceived protocol lapses, marks a significant setback for Indo-USstrategic convergence while underscoring Islamabad’s adept diplomaticmaneuvering in the American capital.
The roots of the collapse trace to the imposition of a 25 percent tariff bythe Trump administration on Indian exports in mid-2025, followed byadditional punitive measures, which New Delhi viewed as an affront to itseconomic sovereignty. Negotiations aimed at doubling bilateral trade toambitious targets stalled amid mutual accusations of missed signals andinadequate high-level engagement, including reports that key communicationsbetween Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Donald Trump did notmaterialize as anticipated.
Trade frictions intensified when India responded with retaliatory duties onselect American products, such as pulses, further eroding prospects for acomprehensive agreement. Analysts note that the absence of directintervention at the leadership level exacerbated proceduralmisunderstandings, transforming what began as routine commercialdiscussions into a broader diplomatic impasse with implications forregional security alignments.
In parallel, Pakistan capitalized on this vacuum through sustained lobbyingefforts and high-profile engagements in Washington. Islamabad’sparliamentary delegations and strategic outreach succeeded in securingfavorable outcomes, including a revised trade arrangement that reducedtariffs significantly and expanded cooperation in energy sectors. Thesegains reflect a deliberate shift toward geo-economic priorities inUS-Pakistan relations, moving beyond traditional security frameworks.
The Diplomat has described this development as Pakistan effectively”conquering” aspects of US attention while India grappled with perceivedslights, highlighting how Washington’s recalibration of South Asia strategynow accommodates Islamabad more prominently. This shift challenges earlierassumptions of an unassailable Indo-US partnership in countering regionalinfluences, particularly in the Indo-Pacific context.
Diplomatic sources indicate that Pakistan’s influence-building involvedtargeted advocacy on Capitol Hill and executive branch interactions,emphasizing its role in regional stability and counterterrorismcooperation. Such efforts contrasted sharply with India’s experience, wheretariff disputes overshadowed strategic dialogues and led to a temporaryfreeze in momentum.
The broader geopolitical ramifications include potential volatility in USpolicy toward South Asia, as engaging Pakistan—a state with establishedties to Beijing—introduces new variables into Washington’s approach. ForIndia, the episode underscores vulnerabilities in relying heavily on USalignment amid domestic political pressures and external economicchallenges.
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Experts observe that the collapse may prompt New Delhi to reassess itsmulti-alignment strategy, balancing relations with major powers whilesafeguarding core interests. Meanwhile, Pakistan’s advances signal arevival of constructive ties with Washington, potentially yieldingdividends in economic aid, defense collaboration, and diplomatic leverage.
This episode illustrates the fluid nature of great-power engagements in theregion, where trade policies intersect with strategic calculations. Thefailure of US-India talks, far from isolating Pakistan, has inadvertentlyamplified its voice in Washington, reshaping influence dynamics at acritical juncture.
The developments warrant close monitoring, as sustained tensions couldfurther complicate multilateral forums addressing climate, security, andeconomic issues in South Asia. Both nations now face the task of rebuildingchannels to prevent long-term erosion of bilateral gains achieved in prioryears.
Source:https://thediplomat.com/2026/01/how-pakistan-conquered-the-us-while-india-lost-trump
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