ISLAMABAD: The year 2025 is likely to be remembered in Islamabad and Washington as a period of unexpected warmth in Pakistan–United States relations.
In this regard, the high-level diplomatic contacts, regional security developments, and evolving global dynamics contributed to a cautious revival of ties, although analysts continue to warn against viewing the shift as a lasting reset.
The most important moment of the year came with an unprecedented meeting at the White House between US President Donald Trump and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.
Furthermore, Federal Minister and former ambassador to Washington Sherry Rehman described the change as personality-driven but meaningful.
She said leading figures in both capitals had helped steer relations toward a more positive direction, noting that the personal rapport between President Trump and Field Marshal Munir played a visible role.
However, she stressed that long-term stability in ties would depend on strengthening economic and commercial engagement.
Moreover, Ms Rehman pointed to US investment in Pakistan’s mineral sector as a potential anchor for future cooperation, focusing on that the scale, duration, and job-creation potential of such projects would shape the relationship’s trajectory.
She also underlined the need for Pakistan to maintain a balanced foreign policy amid growing global multipolarity, preserving close ties with China while avoiding zero-sum rivalries between major powers.
Meanwhile, the brief but intense India–Pakistan air conflict in May 2025 heightened US diplomatic activity in South Asia. So far, there are certain analysts noted that President Trump’s repeated public references to Pakistan improved Islamabad’s standing in Washington.
Uzair Yunus, a Washington-based South Asia analyst, said the new US leadership appeared more open to recognising Pakistan’s strategic relevance, particularly in security and economic domains.
Pakistan’s potential role in Middle Eastern diplomacy also featured in discussions, including possible participation in a Gaza peace force and Iran-related initiatives.
Ms Rehman cautioned, however, that regional volatility would test Islamabad’s ability to protect its core interests while managing new partnerships.
