Foreign Affairs says India’s US alliance weakened after Pakistan-India war
A recent analysis by the influential US journal Foreign Affairs has challenged the Modi government’s long-standing “Shining India” narrative, suggesting that India’s claim of being a strong strategic pillar of the United States has significantly weakened following recent developments.
According to the report, Washington and New Delhi are currently experiencing one of the most strained phases in their bilateral relationship, particularly after the Pakistan-India conflict in May 2025. The journal notes that Pakistan openly welcomed the role played by US President Donald Trump in facilitating the ceasefire, while India publicly rejected any notion of American mediation.
The analysis highlights that repeated acknowledgements by President Trump of Pakistan’s diplomatic and military gains, along with his positive engagement with Pakistani leadership, caused diplomatic embarrassment for New Delhi. Additionally, Trump’s refusal to sign a proposed trade agreement with India and the imposition of additional tariffs on Indian exports further deepened tensions.
Foreign Affairs states that these developments have triggered growing concerns in Washington about India’s reliability as a long-term strategic partner. Experts argue that India’s tendency to distance itself from the US over limited diplomatic disagreements reflects a lack of institutional stability in the partnership.
Analysts further maintain that the Pakistan-India ceasefire was, in reality, achieved following India’s request for US intervention — a fact New Delhi remains reluctant to acknowledge due to domestic political pressures. According to observers, the core issue is not American mediation, but India’s insistence on maintaining full control over the strategic narrative.
The report concludes that India’s rejection of US mediation, while simultaneously seeking unconditional American support against China, represents a clear contradiction. Experts emphasize that lasting stability in South Asia requires realistic diplomacy based on equality, not selective engagement.
