ISLAMABAD: US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday described relations between Washington and Islamabad as a growing “true friendship,” crediting Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for their role in regional peace efforts.
Speaking at the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Hegseth praised the Pakistani leadership while responding to a question about India’s long-range missile capabilities.
“The final question was about India-Pakistan, and I mentioned India here, but I very easily could have mentioned Pakistan and the role that the field marshal and the prime minister are playing in peace negotiations,” he said.
“I think an unexpected development and a true friendship developing there, which I think is important,” Hegseth added.
He also highlighted US diplomatic efforts that helped ease tensions between Pakistan and India, describing it as a significant achievement given that both countries possess nuclear weapons.
“You saw that in the ability of the president to come together on brokering a peace between India and Pakistan, two nuclear-capable countries,” he said.
Munir and Sharif emerged as key interlocutors during international efforts to reduce tensions between Pakistan and India following a brief but intense military confrontation last year that involved exchanges of drones, missiles and artillery fire.
Pakistan publicly welcomed US mediation efforts after the crisis, with Prime Minister Sharif nominating President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. India, however, rejected suggestions of external involvement in resolving the dispute.
Relations between Islamabad and Washington strengthened further following the US-Iran conflict earlier this year. Pakistan played a mediatory role by facilitating initial contacts between Washington and Tehran, while Field Marshal Munir also engaged regional leaders in efforts aimed at reducing tensions and supporting ceasefire initiatives.
