ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has quietly but decisively repositioned itself as a credible and indispensable partner for Washington. It was all through calculated diplomacy and strategic restraint, Islamabad has turned a regional crisis into an opportunity that is now drawing attention far beyond South Asia.
In this sense, as per The Diplomat, Pakistan’s recent engagement with Washington indicates a broader transformation in bilateral ties one that contrasts sharply with the cooling of relations between the United States and India.
Once viewed as a primary regional ally, New Delhi now faces steep trade penalties and a noticeable absence from high-level diplomatic engagements. The turning point emerged from the May 2025 Pakistan–India conflict, a brief but intense confrontation that drew global concern.
Meanwhile, India rejected claims of US mediation, Pakistan chose a different path publicly acknowledging and welcoming Washington’s diplomatic role. Furthermore, the United States President Donald Trump extended an invitation to Pakistan’s Army Chief for discussions at the White House, signaling renewed confidence.
The Diplomat notes that while India remained firm in its rejection of third-party mediation framing it as an infringement on sovereignty, it simultaneously missed out on key diplomatic opportunities, including participation in major summits and relief from newly imposed U.S. tariffs.
Moreover, behind closed doors, Pakistan and the United States also moved to revive counterterrorism cooperation, restoring a pillar of their historically complex relationship. In July 2025, both sides finalized a significant trade understanding that included tariff reductions and long-term American investment in Pakistan’s resource sector.
