Washington: In a sharp criticism of Donald Trump’s foreign policy choices, former US National Security Advisor (NSA) and attorney Jake Sullivan has said that the former president harmed Washington’s ties with India by prioritising business links with Pakistan. He described the move as a “huge strategic harm” to America’s own long-term interests.

Speaking in an interview with a YouTube channel, Sullivan was asked about the current debate on America’s trade deal with India and Trump’s repeated claims of solving the India-Pakistan dispute, which followed the April 22 Pahalgam attack in Jammu and Kashmir.

“I think this is one of the more under-reported stories in Trump’s foreign policy, and I’m really glad that you raised it,” Sullivan said.

He explained that for decades, Washington has worked across party lines to strengthen ties with India, calling it “the world’s largest democracy” and stressing that the partnership should focus on “technology, talent, economics, and so many other issues, and aligned with in dealing with the strategic threat from China.”

Why did Sullivan link Trump’s policy shift to Pakistan?

The former Biden administration official noted that the US had made real progress in its ties with India. However, he claimed that Trump had jeopardised this relationship.

“And now, in no small part, I think because of Pakistan’s willingness to do business deals with the Trump family, he has thrown the India relationship over the side. That is a huge strategic harm in its own right because a strong US-India relationship serves our interests,” Sullivan added.

He further warned that the situation sent a worrying signal to other nations.

“And that only reinforces your view that you’ve got to hedge against the United States,” he said, pointing out that allies such as Germany, Japan, or Canada could easily feel that they might be next.

What were his concerns about America’s global reputation?

Sullivan stressed that trust has always been a cornerstone of US diplomacy.

“Our word should be our bond. We should be good for what we say. Our friends should be able to rely on us, and that has always been our strength. And what’s happening with India right now has huge direct impacts. But it also has this reverberating impact across all our relationships and partnerships in the world,” he noted.

He warned that when countries begin to doubt Washington’s commitments, it ultimately weakens the US in the long run.

How is Trump linked to Pakistan’s crypto sector?

Earlier in April, World Liberty Finance (WLF), a decentralised finance platform backed by Trump, signed agreements with the Pakistan Crypto Council (PCC) to encourage investment and innovation in the blockchain industry. Trump and his associates reportedly own 60 per cent of WLF, which was launched in 2024.

A US delegation at the ceremony included Zachary Witkoff, the son of WLF co-chairman and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff.

What other deals did Trump push with Pakistan?

In June, Pakistan’s army said that Field Marshal Asim Munir and Trump discussed trade, economic growth, and cryptocurrency during a White House meeting.

“President Trump expressed keen interest in forging a mutually beneficial trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic convergence and shared interests,” the army stated.

The following month, Trump unveiled a trade deal with Pakistan and threatened 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods. He also promised to help Islamabad develop its oil sector.

“We have just concluded a deal with the country of Pakistan, whereby Pakistan and the United States will work together on developing their massive oil reserves,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif welcomed the announcement, calling it a “historic” agreement and voicing optimism about expanded cooperation between the two countries.