Full Breakdown
India’s Diplomatic Setback as Pakistan Gains U.S. Favor
9/1/2026, 6:04:44 AM
Shifting Alliances at the G7 Summit
President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi met for the first time since February 2025 during the G7 summit in France, exchanging a handshake instead of Modi’s usual bear hug. The bilateral talk was friendly but unfolded against mounting strain in Indo-U.S. ties, while Pakistan quietly expanded its diplomatic profile, drawing U.S. attention and challenging India’s long-standing effort to isolate its rival.
Background: Rivalry and Recent Frictions
India has long portrayed Pakistan as a destabilizing state, a stance that seemed effective until a decade later when Pakistan began securing high-level U.S. contacts. In May 2025 Trump announced a cease-fire between the two nuclear-armed neighbors over Kashmir, a claim India rejected, insisting the outcome resulted from direct talks. Subsequent U.S. actions—including steep tariffs on Indian goods, pressure on Russian oil that hurt India’s energy imports, and disputes over H-1B visas—deepened the rift. A U.S. strike that killed three Indian seafarers further inflamed Indian anger, prompting New Delhi to summon the U.S. chargé d’affaires.
Official Statements & Responses
Trump praised Modi as “calm, cool and totally killer,” pledged U.S. defense of India, and hinted at a future visit. Meanwhile, Trump has repeatedly lauded Pakistan’s army chief Asim Munir, calling him a “favorite Field Marshal” and an “exceptional human being,” underscoring the shift in U.S. engagement.
Verbatim Quotes
- “India misjudged Trump in term two, banking on once friendly relations,” — Sid Dubey, a visiting professor at Bennett University in India
- “When Trump unfortunately said the May 2025 clash ended because of him personally, that upset India a lot, and they made that known,” — Sid Dubey, a visiting professor at Bennett University in India
- “India tried to make Pakistan an international pariah. Instead, Pakistan has wormed its way into Trump’s good books through a combination of concrete co-operation with the U.S. and outrageous flattery of the president, leading to Trump elevating Field Marshal Asim Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as heroes,” — Senior Fellow Sadanand Dhume
- “Hats off to Pakistan. They worked really hard to bring this awfully disruptive war with Iran to an end,” — Sid Dubey, a visiting professor at Bennett University in India
- “CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP "If anybody attacks that man, we're going to be there," Trump said, referring to Modi.” — Donald Trump, president
