Pakistan re-emerged as a significant player on the global stage in 2025, especially after intense military clashes with India in May, even as political instability and economic pressures persisted at home, according to analyses published in international magazines, Foreign Policy and The Diplomat. The turning point came after brief but intense military clashes with India in a four-day conflict in May this year, which highlighted Pakistan\u2019s air power capabilities and restored its strategic credibility internationally, according to The Diplomat. “For militaries across the world, this demonstrated that Pakistan\u2019s armed forces had not only kept pace with India’s military modernisation but, to an extent, effectively countered New Delhi\u2019s advancements despite economic challenges at home,” it added. According to The Diplomat, after the confrontation, Islamabad witnessed a noticeable warming of ties with Washington, while New Delhi\u2019s relations with the United States faced strain. “Pakistan also strengthened defence cooperation in the Middle East, formalising a mutual defence pact with Saudi Arabia.” China welcomed the battlefield validation of its defence systems deployed by Pakistan, which helped revive momentum for the second phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Pakistan\u2019s diplomatic footprint expanded further with its involvement in international discussions on Gaza\u2019s stabilisation. These developments positioned Islamabad to play a more influential role in regional and global affairs heading into 2026. According to The Diplomat, on the western front, Pakistan adopted a tougher posture towards Afghanistan as Islamabad applied sustained pressure to counter the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), including cross-border strikes and the suspension of trade. Foreign Policy reported that Pakistan\u2019s role in the arrest of the mastermind behind a major terror attack on US forces in Afghanistan has helped Islamabad secure early goodwill with US President Donald Trump. \u201cOur relationship looks good, as good as it has ever been,\u201d Pakistan\u2019s ambassador to Washington, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, told Foreign Policy earlier this year. According to Foreign Policy, Pakistan\u2019s improving standing in Trump\u2019s eyes has become more striking as it coincides with a visible downturn in US relations with India According to Foreign Policy, India\u2019s refusal to give Trump credit for brokering a cease-fire with Pakistan after a brief armed conflict between the two neighbours in May, along with Trump\u2019s purported frustration over India\u2019s trade policies and its purchases of Russian oil, has seen New Delhi hit with some of the world\u2019s highest Trump tariffs. \u201cBut as 50 percent tariffs remain in place and a trade deal remains elusive, those who look at the optics cannot help but concede that they don\u2019t look good.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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