Overview
- Citing the toughest stretch in decades for U.S.-India relations, the report lists 25% tariffs, added sanctions tied to Russian oil, tighter H‑1B rules, and a downgraded place for India in U.S. strategic planning.
- The analysis says New Delhi backed off its earlier stance on importing Russian oil under pressure from Washington.
- Despite multiple high-level meetings with Beijing and Moscow, the report finds no concrete security progress along the LAC and continued investment hurdles.
- It describes the Pulwama/Pahalgam-related operations, including Operation Sindoor and reported aircraft losses, as damaging to credibility and failing to secure international diplomatic support.
- Regional headwinds include a Saudi–Pakistan defence pact and worsening ties with Bangladesh, with the paper urging a pivot from optics to outcome-focused policy.