A freshly inked trade agreement between India and the United States has ignited a firestorm of criticism within Pakistan, where leaders high-profile overtures to President Donald Trump appear to have backfired spectacularly. Pakistans Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Asim Munir pulled out all the stops in recent weeks, from nominating Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize to pitching ambitious peace initiatives and offering economic incentives like rare earth minerals access. But when push came to shove, India emerged with far better terms following a pivotal February 2 call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump: tariffs on Indian exports slashed to 18% from a proposed 50%, potentially unlocking billions in trade over the next decade.

The backlash has been swift and sharp. Prominent journalist Imran Riaz Khan captured the national mood with a viral quip echoing the headline sentiment: You cant buy respect. He derided Munir as the salesman-in-chief whose lobbying fell flat, leaving Pakistan stuck at a less favorable 19% tariff rate. Opposition voices from Imran Khans PTI party piled on, contrasting Indias strategic autonomy with what they called Islamabads begging bowl approach that only worsened its position.

On X (formerly Twitter), reactions ranged from biting sarcasm to outright mockery. One widely shared post compared Pakistans efforts to a mistress doing the dirty work but getting nothing, while digital influencer Wajahat Khan noted Trumps dealmaker instincts rewarded India as a true partner but treated Pakistan like a pushy vendor. These sentiments underscore deeper frustrations amid Pakistans economic headwinds, including slumping exports and foreign investment droughts.

This isnt Indias first win on the global stage—its hot on the heels of a landmark mother of all deals with the European Union, cementing its rise as a manufacturing and export juggernaut. Meanwhile, Pakistan grapples with intensifying competition from neighbors like Bangladesh. The episode serves as a stark reminder in international relations: genuine leverage often beats flattery. For South Asian businesses and investors, the signal is clear—Indias trade momentum demands a supply chain rethink.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.