A diplomatic reset

To say that the Wednesday meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal General Syed Asim Munir had the whole country, most of our neighbouring countries, and an assortment of Western nations looking with interest would be an understatement. Just the reactions to the announcement of the meeting said a lot: whether coming from India or from within the country. The timing was also stark: yet another Israel-led war looming and that too with one of our own neighbours. Held at the White House over lunch, the meeting – also attended by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Special Representative Steve Witkoff – marks a strong reset in bilateral ties that had grown frosty in the aftermath of America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. True to form, the American president had words to say post-meeting, acknowledging Pakistan’s crucial role in defusing the recent military tensions with India. This may be the nth time Trump has directly contradicted Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s narrative that the US had no involvement in resolving the crisis. Trump’s praise of Pakistan’s maturity in managing the conflict speaks volumes. Unlike India’s inflammatory posturing and attempts to rewrite the script, Pakistan exercised restraint and opted for diplomacy, even after gaining the upper hand militarily. In a region haunted by historical animosities and nuclear anxieties, this matters.

According to ISPR,

the COAS also appreciated the mediation efforts made by the US. In return, the US has lauded Pakistan’s counter-terrorism efforts and acknowledged the importance of sustained collaboration in this domain. Per reports, the conversation covered a wide range of issues beyond security: from trade and technology to cryptocurrency and climate-friendly energy. Keeping aside the civil vs military critique within the country, we must acknowledge that this speaks to a broader strategic partnership between the two countries. This shift has been a long time coming. Historically, US-Pakistan ties have been defined by narrow objectives, most often shaped by geopolitical exigencies – from the cold war to the post-9/11 years. Since the PTI-led government’s confused foreign policy, Islamabad has steadily sought to rebuild bridges, first with the Biden administration and now with the returning Trump camp. A thaw appears to be underway, offering both sides a chance to recalibrate with an eye on mutual benefit, not mere convenience.

While the meeting has been seen as successful, especially by a country worried about the larger regional situation, some have questioned the optics of a US president hosting Pakistan’s army chief rather than its prime minister. But this critique misses the context. Much of the discussion revolved around security, counterterrorism and regional stability – domains in which the military remains the key interlocutor. Representing the rest of the state and government was Pakistan’s national security adviser, as part of a broader national approach to diplomacy. And such interactions are hardly unprecedented in international relations, particularly when strategic and defence cooperation is on the table. What is more telling – and completely expected – is the Indian reaction. Delhi’s discomfort is glaring and quite telling of just how effective Pakistan’s recent diplomatic posture has been. Whether it was former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari’s successful outreach to key world capitals or COAS General Munir’s high-level meetings in Washington, Pakistan is positioning itself as a constructive player – invested in peace, focused on stability and ready to engage in meaningful cooperation. The world is seeing Pakistan not as a destabiliser, but as a responsible actor in a turbulent region. If Islamabad continues to pursue such diplomacy with consistency and strategic clarity, it could finally break free of the cycles of dependency and mistrust that have defined its foreign relations for too long.