Vikas Swarup, a former diplomat, has harshly criticized the United States for strengthening its ties with Pakistan, describing it as a “strategic mistake.” Swarup emphasized Pakistan’s close ties to China, which he views as a geopolitical rival of the United States.
He believes that the US-Pakistan relationship is only temporary and mostly motivated by money, especially when it comes to bitcoin holdings connected to the Trump and Witkoff families. He describes the US-Indian relationship, on the other hand, as being much more strategic, long-term, and founded on deeper shared interests.
Swarup’s comments coincided with heightened tensions after Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir made provocative remarks implying that Pakistan might use nuclear weapons against India and other countries. Such nuclear threats were denounced by Swarup as a type of “deliberate nuclear blackmail” intended to influence international mediation.
He pointed out that India rejects outside mediation, particularly when it comes to disputes with Pakistan. In response to a terror incident in Pahalgam, the Indian government also showed its commitment in May 2025 by launching Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror installations in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir.
Swarup justified India’s reluctance to comply with US pressure to open its dairy, genetically modified crop, and agriculture markets in relation to the ongoing trade issues between the US and India.
He clarified that the substantial US tariffs on Indian goods—50% overall—were a component of a larger US effort to coerce India into signing a bilateral trade deal that would benefit US interests. Swarup connected these charges to India’s participation in Operation Sindoor and its membership in BRICS.
He noted that previous President Donald Trump disapproves of BRICS because he sees it as an anti-American coalition seeking to replace the dollar. Trump is frustrated because he also asserted that he mediated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan, a claim that India denies.
Swarup praised India for remaining steadfast despite its size and pride in having an autonomous foreign policy history that dates back to the 1950s, arguing that giving in to such pressure from the US will simply lead to additional demands. While arguing that India’s strategic sovereignty cannot be compromised, he sees the current US-Pakistan interaction as a transitory phase, a “storm” that would eventually pass.
Swarup concluded by noting that Presidents Trump and Putin will meet in Alaska on August 15, 2025, to discuss the issue in Ukraine. Since Putin would not accept a ceasefire while facing economic sanctions, he projected that sanctions on Russia may be lifted if the negotiations were successful.
According to Swarup, deepening US ties with Pakistan is a tactical, short-sighted action driven more by short-term financial interests than by long-term strategic objectives. He warns against caving in to outside pressures that jeopardize India’s independence and interests and supports US acceptance of India’s sovereign strategic decisions, particularly in trade and defense.
