‘Suit and Thank you’: What India can learn from Zelenskyy's dress diplomacy on how to keep Trump happy

When Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy walked into the Oval Office this week, it wasn’t just policy on the table; it was also a presentation. Dressed in a formal suit rather than his usual military fatigues and carrying a “thank you” note for Washington, Zelenskyy struck a markedly different tone from his earlier encounter with US President Donald Trump. The gestures helped set the stage for a warmer meeting, in contrast to the bruising exchanges of February, when Trump and Vice President JD Vance openly criticised him for not being “grateful” enough to America. This time, Zelensky showered US President Donald Trump with thanks, about 11 times in just four and a half minutes of public remarks.

Optics and gratitude change the mood

The symbolism appeared to matter. The White House meeting featured smiles, lighter moments and discussions about future security guarantees for Kyiv. Trump, encouraged by the atmosphere, later briefed Russian President Vladimir Putin and confirmed that preparations were under way for a possible Zelenskyy-Putin meeting.

‘Play to his ego’: Uday Kotak's earlier advise on Trump

Earlier this month, Uday Kotak, Founder and Director of Kotak Mahindra Bank, also highlighted the importance of careful dealing with an man like Trump. In a televised interview, Kotak said India must stay calm in the face of Trump’s provocative remarks on tariffs, Pakistan and the Indian economy.


“Power is power and Donald Trump has inherited US power,” Kotak observed, noting that while Trump leverages America’s strength to push hard bargains. Pakistan. Instead, he argued, composure and clarity are essential to deal with Trump’s unpredictable playbook.

Pakistan’s playbook: Stroking Trump’s ego for gains

If Zelenskyy’s “suit and thank you” approach helped reset ties with Trump, Pakistan has been playing a similar game with far-reaching results. From nominating Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize to crediting him with “stopping a war” in South Asia, Islamabad has consistently framed its relationship with the former US president in ways that highlight his central role. Trump, in turn, has praised Pakistan’s military leadership, promised trade and energy deals, and even linked his name to a crypto venture in the country. Gestures were less about routine diplomacy and more about appealing to Trump’s self-image as a dealmaker and peacemaker. The outcome has been visible: Pakistan secured its first-ever US crude oil shipment, entered into a blockchain tie-up with a Trump-linked firm, and received strong endorsements from US military commanders.