Media Coverage | 10-11-2026
With Trump strategically weakened and Democrats in a position of strength, what will change for India and Pakistan?
After the midterm elections in the United States, the changed landscape of both Houses of the US Congress — the House of Representatives and the Senate — is being discussed worldwide. Efforts are underway to understand the impact a weakened Trump and an empowered Democratic party will have on the world. I am keeping a close watch on this as well, since everyone is affected by the United States. However, in this column, we will specifically try to understand what will change for Pakistan and India. We can view this as a new twist in relations, especially since Trump completely upended existing ties.
Neither Republicans nor Democrats have consistently favoured India; both parties’ stances shift according to the demands of time and circumstances. During the tenure of Republican President George W Bush, agreements were made with India that proved highly beneficial for us. Trump’s first term was also decent, but during his subsequent period, even as he called India a friend, he persistently tried to pressure it over the issue of tariffs. As presidents, Barack Obama and Joe Biden of the Democratic Party worked to enhance diplomatic and strategic partnerships with India.
Both parties share a similar view regarding India’s crucial role in curbing China’s influence in the Indo-Pacific region. Both have worked to develop strong ties with India in the fields of defence, counter-terrorism and technology. However, after Trump’s arrival, it often felt like policies aimed at empowering India to counter China were put on the back burner. When China bullied Trump, he fell back in line, but when India maintained balanced behaviour, he tried to keep India on a tight leash. At the time, several Democratic leaders and political analysts openly stated that the process of improving relations with India was being damaged, but Trump did not budge! However, with Democrats now holding the majority in the House of Representatives and the Senate, Trump will not be able to do as he pleases. Even so, he will not refrain from trying, as the US President possesses broad executive powers through executive orders. Undoubtedly, the Democrats will also be firm. This means India can expect that erratic behaviour and arbitrary moves might decrease. The Democrats are entirely against China, so some decisions may ultimately favour India!
Naturally, America’s China policy affects us, but we must be mindful not to get crushed in the strategy against China! Regardless of how China behaves, it is our neighbour and both of us need each other.
It is certainly good news for us that the influence of Indian-origin leaders in the Democratic Party has continuously grown. The victories of Dr Ami Bera, Ro Khanna, Pramila Jayapal, Suhas Subramanyam, Pia Dandiya and Dr Amish Shah in the House of Representatives are significant. Abdul El-Sayed, who has deep family ties to India, has been elected to the Senate; his father-in-law, Dr Zukaku S Tayeb, originally hailed from the coastal city of Bhatkal in Karnataka.
Now let us consider what the new twists in US-Pakistan relations will look like. We all know that Pakistan’s sole objective is to extract benefits. Sometimes in the name of Kashmir and sometimes by portraying itself as indispensable to the US, it keeps extorting aid. The US understands everything, but it is no less cunning. It profits by selling weapons to Pakistan. Right now, Pakistan is fawning upon Trump, so much so that its Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir have been advocating for Trump to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump never criticised Pakistan on the issue of Imran Khan, whereas the Democrats have been vocal. Dozens of Democratic lawmakers, such as Ilhan Omar and Greg Casar, have been vocal. These lawmakers have been demanding that US military aid should only be given to Pakistan if it improves its human rights record. Therefore, it should be expected that the House of Representatives and the Senate could spell trouble for Pakistan. However, one thing is 100 per cent true: Whenever it comes to American gains and losses, neither of them will listen to either India or Pakistan! The truth is that America’s foreign policy never changes. The CIA always keeps a special eye on this.
Just think about those birds!
Like every year, this time too, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in many areas of Delhi has crossed 400. According to Central Pollution Control Board standards, this is severe. Naturally, in such a situation, we all think about the humans who are breathing this polluted air. But do we ever think about the birds for whom this dreadful condition is nothing less than a death sentence? If only we could understand that when human beings are in this state, what must be the plight of these delicate birds! Do give this some thought.
