Why did Trump exclude terror-hub Pakistan from travel ban: Brahma Chellaney hints at US' Deep State's anti-India stance

US President Donald Trump has signed a proclamation reviving his earlier travel ban, this time targeting 12 countries including Myanmar, Afghanistan, Iran, Chad, Somalia, and Yemen. The stated reason: national security and the inability to vet migrants from these regions. However, what’s been left out has drawn more attention than what’s on the list.

Pakistan—long accused by Indian analysts of sheltering terrorist networks—has been spared. This, according to Indian geostrategist Brahma Chellaney, isn’t a coincidence.

“Trump’s entry ban on visitors from 12 countries includes Myanmar (where the US is aiding anti-junta rebels), but excludes terrorism-hub Pakistan, indicating his embrace of the Deep State approach to India’s neighbourhood,” Chellaney posted on X.

Myanmar blacklisted despite US rebel ties; Pakistan untouched

Myanmar was included in the ban despite its ongoing civil war and the US’s reported backing of anti-junta rebel factions. The exclusion of Pakistan, meanwhile, appears to run counter to the public American stance on terror financing. This contradiction, Chellaney argues, exposes a deeper pattern of American double standards.

Behind Pakistan’s exemption lies a financial angle. Trump-linked interests reportedly have a stake in World Liberty Financial (WLF), a cryptocurrency firm that has signed a deal with Pakistan. The company’s website openly displays, “Inspired by Donald J Trump,” and is said to be co-owned by his sons, Eric and Donald Jr., along with Jared Kushner, who collectively hold a 60% stake.

Also Read: Trump travel ban: US imposes entry ban on 12 nations, adds restrictions on 7 others

Trump defends decision citing terror threats at home

President Trump, in a post on Truth Social, justified the move by linking it to national security concerns. “We cannot have open migration from any country where we cannot safely and reliably vet and screen,” he said. He referenced the recent Boulder terror attack to underscore what he sees as urgent threats.

Partial restrictions have also been imposed on seven other countries including Cuba, Laos, Venezuela, and Turkmenistan.

Also Read: Trump travel ban: Why is Trump banning millions from the US again?

The 'Deep State' debate: Why it matters

Chellaney’s comment taps into a long-running and complex theory: the existence of a ‘Deep State’—a shadow network of intelligence officers, officials, and financiers—who allegedly shape US policy regardless of the elected government’s stance.

While the idea is often dismissed as a conspiracy, it has gained traction in both right-wing American circles and among foreign governments, especially those at odds with Washington. The term broadly refers to entrenched institutions—like the CIA, FBI, Pentagon, and aligned media and NGOs—operating behind the scenes to sustain US global dominance.

For decades, these networks have been accused of backing coups, interfering in elections, and orchestrating regime change to suit American interests. In India, the theory has taken on more weight as the government cracks down on NGOs suspected of receiving funds from foreign entities pushing Western agendas.

Also Read: Green card holders, athletes and Afghans: Who escapes Trump’s sweeping new travel restrictions

India’s war on foreign influence: A backdrop to the ban

Since 2016, the Indian government has revoked licences of over 6,000 NGOs under the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA). More than 19,000 such organisations were deregistered between 2011 and 2019. Officials have raised red flags over entities funded by George Soros’ Open Society Foundation, Pierre Omidyar’s Omidyar Network, and the Ford Foundation—all of which are now under tight scrutiny.

Yet, these foundations continue to operate via intermediary organisations, channelling funds toward media groups and advocacy platforms critical of the Indian government.

A representative of NGO Monitor, speaking anonymously, said, “Soros has a very clear political philosophy—open society. He funds education and universities because he believes change must rise from the grassroots.”

According to them, Soros-backed initiatives have influenced politics in Ukraine, Hungary, Croatia, and attempted similar tactics during the Arab Spring. “When you examine the work of Soros-funded organisations, their commitment to democracy rings hollow,” the source added.

Also Read: Trump suspends visas for Harvard-bound foreign students

Young minds, long games: How influence takes root

These foundations offer fellowships to Indian students, shaping a future network of academics, journalists, and policymakers who echo liberal narratives critical of nationalist regimes.

George Soros has not hidden his views. At the Munich Security Conference in 2023, he declared, “Adani is accused of stock manipulation and his stock collapsed like a house of cards. Modi is silent on the subject, but he will have to answer questions from foreign investors and in parliament. This will significantly weaken Modi’s stranglehold on India’s federal government and open the door to push for much-needed institutional reforms. I may be naive, but I expect a democratic revival in India.”

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar responded sharply, calling Soros “an old, rich, opinionated, and dangerous billionaire.” Smriti Irani, then Minister for Women and Child Development, labelled the speech “an attack on India.”

Why this matters to India—and the world

Chellaney’s critique, rooted in these long-running debates, suggests that the Trump administration’s actions are shaped more by covert interests than by principled policy. The deliberate omission of Pakistan from the ban list, despite its terror links, highlights what he sees as a return to American strategic hypocrisy—one that India has been increasingly vocal against.

As the US doubles down on “vetting” and migration control, critics warn that these decisions often mask more calculated moves. Ones that have little to do with security—and everything to do with influence.