Pakistan has managed quite the diplomatic week – arguably one of the most notable in recent months. With Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar engaging in high-level talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington, and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal General Asim Munir conducting a parallel diplomatic and military outreach in Beijing, Islamabad appears to be pulling off some smooth foreign affairs moves to maintain equilibrium in its ties with two global giants, China and the US, who themselves remain locked in strategic rivalry. On the face of it, both engagements were productive. In Washington, Secretary Rubio acknowledged Pakistan’s role in regional stability, particularly its constructive approach to the Iran situation and the deepening of counterterrorism cooperation, especially against the ISIS-K threat. Beyond security, discussions touched on increasing bilateral trade and exploring partnerships in the critical minerals and mining sectors, an area of growing strategic interest globally. On the other hand, China reaffirmed its ‘ironclad’ strategic partnership with Pakistan, praising the country’s stabilising role in the region and engaging in comprehensive talks on CPEC expansion, joint military training and improved strategic coordination.
For Pakistan, balancing these relationships is not new. Islamabad has long maintained a delicate but effective policy of cultivating both Beijing and Washington – a tightrope walk that has served it well in times of crisis and opportunity alike. However, the diplomatic temperature is different this time. With US-China tensions rising and American policymakers increasingly viewing the world through the lens of strategic competition with Beijing, Pakistan’s room to manoeuvre could shrink. Foreign policy observers are correct in warning that the recent thaw in US relations with Islamabad, following a period of coldness during the Imran Khan government, may come with quiet expectations. DC may hope that improved ties will come with a distancing, if not a rebalancing, away from China’s orbit. Yet, such a pivot is neither practical nor desirable for Pakistan. China has remained a consistent ally, providing diplomatic support on Kashmir as well as investing in CPEC and promoting regional connectivity. More recently, Beijing has been central to back-channel talks with Afghanistan and has even encouraged trilateral economic integration under the BRI framework. This would help reshape the region’s future if handled with vision and caution.
There are multiple reasons for Washington’s renewed warmth. Pakistan’s strategic location makes it critical for regional mediation efforts, particularly regarding Iran. Its intelligence and military capabilities remain crucial to any serious counterterrorism strategy in South and Central Asia, especially post-US/Nato withdrawal from Afghanistan. And with Washington reportedly concerned about weapons left behind in Afghanistan, Islamabad may also be seen as a potential partner in managing these security spillovers. It is also quite probable that Pakistan’s military response during the last India-Pakistan standoff did not go unnoticed in global capitals. All that said, though, Pakistan must play this game on its own terms. The history of global alliances is littered with cautionary tales of nations that became pawns in larger geopolitical games. While maintaining strong ties with both China and the US is in Pakistan’s interest, these relationships must be guided by national priorities, not external pressure. That includes safeguarding sovereignty, ensuring economic sustainability, and avoiding entanglements that serve the agendas of other countries more than our own. Ultimately, diplomacy is about the art of managing contradictions. The current dual-track engagement with Washington and Beijing is an encouraging sign that Pakistan is, for now, managing to keep that art alive. But it will take steady hands and strategic clarity which is only possible with a stable and strong domestic front.