Why Trump Likes Pakistan — And Why India Shouldn’t Panic | Fareed Zakaria At Davos

Speaking at BT Davos 2026, CNN’s Fareed Zakaria offers a nuanced assessment of whether India should be concerned about Donald Trump’s overtures towards Pakistan, including claims around ceasefire diplomacy. In conversation with Rajdeep Sardesai, Consulting Editor, India Today TV, Zakaria argues that while Trump’s behaviour can be worrying, it must also be understood through the lens of his idiosyncratic leadership style and preference for dealing with strongmen and autocrats. Zakaria explains why Pakistan’s pitch appeals to Trump, why India’s status as a serious democracy limits transactional theatrics, and why patience—not posturing—is India’s smartest response. Drawing comparisons with China’s leverage over the United States, he cautions against grandstanding and urges a long-term strategic view, emphasising that India’s democratic credibility remains its greatest strength in the global order.