In a surprising twist to South Asian geopolitics, two of the subcontinent’s biggest rivals — India and Pakistan — have found themselves in an unusual competition on American soil, leveraging their ties to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s inner circle. While India has onboarded Mike Waltz, often dubbed “Trump’s brain” on security and strategic affairs, Pakistan has reportedly sought assistance from a former Trump bodyguard turned private consultant for its lobbying efforts.
India Brings in Mike Waltz: Policy Precision and Political Muscle
India’s choice is strategic and calculated. Mike Waltz, the former Republican Congressman from Florida and co-chair of the Congressional India Caucus, has been a long-standing proponent of strong U.S.-India ties. Known for his hawkish stance on China and deep understanding of Indo-Pacific security dynamics, Waltz has now been informally advising New Delhi’s diplomatic mission in Washington as India looks to strengthen its defense cooperation, trade negotiations, and tech alliances with a potentially returning Trump administration in 2025 or beyond.
Sources say Waltz’s inclusion is a masterstroke, especially as he remains a close confidant of Trump and is rumored to be in contention for a key national security post should Trump return to office. His lobbying clout, particularly in Republican circles, is expected to play a critical role in shaping favorable U.S. policies for India in the coming years — especially on arms deals, semiconductor supply chains, and counter-terrorism coordination.
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Pakistan’s Left Field Pick: The Former Bodyguard
In contrast, Pakistan’s selection has raised eyebrows. Reports indicate that Islamabad has turned to a rather unconventional ally — a former Trump bodyguard, now working in private security and influence consultancy, to enhance its diplomatic visibility in Washington. While the individual’s name has not been officially disclosed, insiders suggest it’s a figure who once served as part of Trump’s personal security detail and has since launched a boutique lobbying firm.
While lacking Waltz’s policy gravitas, this bodyguard-turned-consultant is believed to retain close connections within the MAGA network and could potentially offer Pakistan informal access to Trump-aligned influencers and donor groups. For Pakistan, which has often struggled to match India’s lobbying might in D.C., this is seen as an experimental — if unorthodox — approach to stay relevant in the shifting U.S. political landscape.
South Asia’s Lobbying Chess Game
India and Pakistan have long competed for influence in Washington. But as the 2024 U.S. elections reshape the corridors of power, both countries are recalibrating their outreach strategies. India’s alignment with a seasoned policymaker and Pakistan’s reliance on a personal connection highlight the asymmetry in their respective diplomatic capabilities.
Critics have called Pakistan’s approach “desperate” and “symbolic,” while others argue it’s a creative workaround amid budgetary and institutional constraints. India, on the other hand, appears to be playing a long game — embedding itself deeper within strategic networks that could shape U.S. foreign policy for the next decade.
Conclusion: Trump’s Shadow Looms Large
Whether Trump returns to the White House or not, his ecosystem remains influential in Washington. India and Pakistan’s divergent picks from this circle — the brain and the brawn — reflect not just contrasting diplomatic styles, but also the varied stakes each country sees in the evolving U.S. political game.
As this unusual lobbying face-off unfolds, all eyes will be on how effectively these Trump-era connections are leveraged in the realpolitik of Capitol Hill.
