Diplomatic win

In a time of escalating regional tensions and increasing global polarisation, the success of Pakistan’s recent diplomatic initiative could not have been more timely -- or more telling. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s praise for the high-level delegation led by former foreign minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari is not merely political nicety but a recognition of a rare, decisive moment where Pakistan’s diplomacy outmaneuvered India’s traditional advantage in international perception. Over an 11-day tour through key Western capitals, the Pakistani delegation delivered a powerful and consistent message: that India’s aggression, its refusal to adhere to international norms and its provocative posturing in South Asia threaten regional and global stability. The response, both from diplomatic quarters and international media, was striking. In contrast to India’s traditionally dominant narrative machinery, which often relies heavily on domestic amplification, Pakistan’s message of peace, restraint and lawful conduct in the face of naked aggression found unexpected resonance abroad.

Key to this success was the delegation’s ability to reframe the conflict not merely as a bilateral spat but as a test of international resolve in upholding legal norms and regional peace. What stood out further was the deliberate effort by Pakistan to internationalise the conversation -- placing India’s conduct within a broader framework of rising authoritarianism and disregard for international law. This