The simultaneous failure of their 1799 joint invasion of the Netherlands, as well as the 1799 Austro-Russian Italian and Swiss expedition which Britain partially financed, precipitated a change in attitudes.
He hastily broke with Britain and allied himself with Napoleon, who came up with an extravagant plan for a Russo-French expedition to attack the British possessions in India.
The route of advance schedule for the French corps started in May 1801 via the Danube and the Black Sea through southern Russia via Taganrog, Tsaritsyn, and Astrakhan.
In his book about the Great Game, Peter Hopkirk narrates that Paul had not been able to obtain a detailed map of India until the Cossacks' departure from Orenburg.
It is conjectured, without evidence, that the Pahlen plot to assassinate the emperor was triggered by the Indian adventure, given that the high-placed Russian officials did not approve of it, and their conspiracy was financed by British diplomacy.
The British public learned about the incident years later, but it firmly imprinted on the popular consciousness, contributing to feelings of mutual suspicion and distrust associated with the Great Game.