The country sees improving relations with the United States as it emerges as a key player in Middle East mediation efforts amid regional tensions
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir meet with US President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington DC on September 25, 2025. Photo: mimeo
A year after the military confrontation between Pakistan and India triggered by the Pahalgam attack in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir on April 22, 2025, Pakistan’s international profile has undergone a notable change, according to an article in The diplomat.
Following the attack, which New Delhi had blamed on Pakistan and Islamabad had repeatedly refuted the allegation, India launched “Operation Sindoor” on the night of May 6-7, claiming to target militant training sites in the country in an 88-hour military operation. Pakistan responded with “Operation Bunyan-un-Marsoos,” which escalated tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors and sparked global concern.
While India subsequently stepped up efforts to diplomatically isolate Pakistan over allegations of cross-border militancy, the report notes that Islamabad’s global standing has since seen an unexpected recalibration.
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In recent months, Pakistan has attracted international attention for its involvement in mediation efforts between Iran and the United States amid the Middle East crisis. The report said Islamabad hosted an indirect engagement between the two sides on April 11 and 12, with The economist describing Pakistan as a “skillful manager of global power politics” in April 2026.
The publication suggests that Pakistan’s renewed diplomatic relevance has been shaped in part by changing global priorities, including less international attention to post-9/11 terrorism dynamics and competing crises such as the Russia-Ukraine war and instability in the Middle East.
He noted that although Pakistan had long been accused of allowing militant groups to operate on its territory, the international response to India’s accusations following the Pahalgam attack had been relatively muted, reflecting changing geopolitical priorities.
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The diplomat further noted that the aftermath of Operation Sindoor also contributed to internal political consolidation in Pakistan, strengthening the position of Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir. Following the conflict, he was elevated to the rank of field marshal in May 2025 and then appointed chief of the defense forces in December 2025 under a constitutional amendment to unify military command.
The report further states that Pakistan’s engagement with the United States has improved under the current administration, with Islamabad credited for facilitating diplomatic outreach during ceasefire discussions in West Asia. Pakistan has also been included in international diplomatic initiatives related to Gaza stabilization efforts.
Relations between Pakistan and the United States have been further influenced by growing strategic interests, including critical minerals and regional security cooperation, the report said.
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However, The diplomat stressed that Pakistan continued to face significant domestic challenges, including political instability, economic pressure and security threats. He highlighted ongoing tensions between civilian and military institutions, restrictions on political dissent and the imprisonment of former Prime Minister Imran Khan since 2023.
The report added that although Pakistan has secured continued financial support from the International Monetary Fund, economic vulnerability remains, particularly amid regional instability and challenges in resource-rich regions such as Balochistan.
A Washington-based assessment cited in the report warned that Pakistan’s strategy of leveraging international diplomatic relevance to stabilize domestic conditions remained uncertain, adding that future political and economic pressures could intensify if current trends reverse.
