Overview

• Trump moved India into the highest U.S. tariff bracket while granting Pakistan lower rates and joint energy projects, marking a sharp departure from prior administrations.
• His administration held a private meeting with Pakistan’s army chief, prompting concerns of behind-the-scenes agreements.
• Fareed Zakaria called the measures potentially the biggest strategic mistake of the Trump presidency and said they have undone decades of diplomatic progress.
• He said Indians are ‘united in shock and anger’ at what they see as U.S. unreliability and brutality toward its friends.
• Analysts warn that India will hedge its bets by deepening ties with Russia and exploring reengagement with China if punitive measures persist.