Rahm Emanuel, who served as the U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 2022 to 2025, has sharply criticized former President Donald Trump's approach to India, describing it as a "major, major strategic blunder." Emanuel argued that Trump's policies undermined decades of diplomatic efforts aimed at strengthening ties with India, a crucial counterbalance to China's influence in Asia.

Emanuel highlighted that Trump's administration's closeness to Pakistan, including a controversial deal with the Pakistan Crypto Council involving a firm linked to Trump's son, was a significant misstep. He emphasized that such actions alienated India, which had been a key partner in countering China's growing dominance in the region.