In a shocking revelation, former US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has accused former President Donald Trump of undermining India-US relations for his family’s business interests in Pakistan. Speaking in an interview with MeidasTouch on YouTube, Sullivan claimed that Trump’s approach to India is one of the least discussed but most damaging aspects of his foreign policy.

According to Sullivan, bipartisan efforts by successive US administrations over decades to strengthen ties with India are now at risk. “The US should be aligning with India on technology, talent, economics, and in countering China’s strategic influence. But largely due to Pakistan’s willingness to engage in business deals with the Trump family, Trump has sidelined the India relationship. This is a major strategic setback because a strong India-US partnership serves our core interests,” Sullivan stated.

He warned that weakening relations with India could destabilize America’s global alliances, as partners may begin to question the reliability of the United States.

Former NSA John Bolton has also criticized Trump’s India policy, accusing him of “shredding decades of effort” to pull India away from its Cold War alignment with Russia and closer to the US-led Asian Security Quad, which includes Japan, India, Australia, and the United States. Bolton said Trump’s policies have instead pushed India back toward Russia and China.

Adding to the controversy, reports suggested Trump asked Prime Minister Narendra Modi to support his nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize after Pakistan allegedly proposed his name for mediating an India-Pakistan ceasefire earlier this year. Modi reportedly declined, stating the ceasefire was achieved through bilateral talks without US involvement.

Further straining ties, the Trump administration imposed heavy tariffs on India — first 25% and then another 25%, totaling 50% — while refraining from imposing similar tariffs on Russia or China, raising questions over his policy bias.