ISLAMABAD: While acknowledging Pakistan’s successful diplomatic efforts, the Washington Post has stated that relations between Pakistan and the United States have entered a new phase of strength.
According to the newspaper report, Field Marshal Asim Munir’s recent diplomacy has been central in reshaping Pakistan-US relations. His recent visit to Washington has been described as a “symbol of a new dimension” in bilateral ties. Initially, Donald Trump’s return as US president was seen as a challenge for Pakistan. However, Pakistani officials, adapting to shifting global conditions, managed to strengthen engagement with the White House. The Washington Post highlighted that the US praised Pakistan’s counterterrorism actions. It reported that, through Islamabad’s successful diplomacy, the banned Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) was officially declared an international terrorist organisation. The report added that Pakistan offered the US opportunities for cooperation in cryptocurrency projects and mineral development. In response, President Trump expressed willingness to invest in multiple sectors of Pakistan’s economy. The newspaper also pointed out that Pakistan-US relations gained further momentum following the ceasefire agreement with India. Overall, the Washington Post emphasised that Pakistan’s active diplomacy has not only improved ties with Washington but also earned recognition on the global stage. Pakistan is stepping into a new phase under the leadership of Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, according to a detailed article published by British magazine ‘The Economist’ on August 3. The article commends Field Marshal Munir’s active role in shaping Pakistan’s foreign policy, especially in terms of strengthening ties with the United States. His meeting with Donald Trump at the White House on June 18 is described as a turning point, marking the beginning of a shift in regional diplomacy. In recent developments, the US imposed a 25pc tariff on Indian goods, describing India as a struggling economy. In contrast, Washington announced a trade agreement with Pakistan, applying a lower tariff of only 19pc. This signals a major shift in America’s strategic interests in South Asia, China, and the Middle East.
The Economist highlights that the US is working on reviving cooperation with Pakistan in trade, defence, and counterterrorism. India is irked about the role of Field Marshal of Pakistan. An Indian government sponsored wire service has quoted Dr Daniel S Markey, senior advisor on South Asia at the United States Institute of Peace, the Washington, DC-based think-tank, saying that Pakistan has taken an ‘anything goes’ approach to cultivating closer ties with the Trump administration and with President Trump personally.
Field Marshal Munir has also engaged in some shuttle diplomacy with Iran and, conceivably, could be open to conversations about how Pakistan might be helpful to other US efforts in the Middle East. “Actually, the deeper threat to the US-India relationship would come if the Trump administration fundamentally rethinks the nature of US competition with China and, in so doing, no longer perceives India as a necessary strategic partner in that global geopolitical contest.”