For years, Indian media and political circles have echoed the claim that India has become a Vishwaguru (world leader) post-2014. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s global visits are treated like grand spectacles, projecting India as a rising power. But behind the carefully crafted image lies a grim reality—India’s diplomatic stature is weakening on the global stage. Former U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent statement is a slap in the face: “India will be paying.” From August 1, the U.S. has imposed a 25% tariff and an additional penalty on Indian exports, directly hitting our pharma, IT, and automobile sectors. Meanwhile, Pakistan—long branded as a hub of terrorism—is signing energy deals with America and China, opening AI data centers, and even gaining leadership roles in UN anti-terrorism bodies. The same Pakistan is now being hailed as a future oil supplier to India. And what is India doing? Sending all-party delegations, organizing events, and staying silent. From the failure of Operation Sindoor to America’s dominance over IMF loans to Pakistan, India’s foreign policy has been reduced to optics. We are being treated not as a global leader, but as a compliant market.