WASHINGTON: Washington’s long-standing India-first policy has ended and Pakistan has emerged as a key regional partner for the United States by the end of 2025, according to an opinion piece published in the Washington Times.
At the start of the year, US-Pakistan relations were strained. Islamabad was seen in Washington as diplomatically isolated, economically fragile and politically aligned with the Taliban. US officials viewed Pakistan as unreliable, while its security establishment faced deep mistrust.
That picture has now changed.
By late 2025, Pakistan has re-entered Washington’s strategic calculations. US officials now describe Islamabad as responsive, relevant and operationally useful, marking a sharp departure from earlier skepticism.
The shift began quietly with renewed counterterrorism coordination. These backchannel exchanges signaled a willingness by Pakistan to re-engage substantively. The thaw became public when Donald Trump praised Pakistan’s cooperation in a national address in March, surprising policy circles in Washington, as per the Washington Times.
Each step of engagement generated further confidence. Limited cooperation led to political credit, which in turn encouraged deeper interaction. What was once a transactional relationship gained strategic weight.
Pakistan’s brief but intense military clash with India in May proved decisive. US officials were struck by Pakistan’s discipline, coordination and asymmetric capability. The episode forced a reassessment of Pakistan as a serious regional actor.
This recalibration coincided with growing US unease over India’s domestic politics, diplomatic rigidity and uneven military signaling. Long ignored concerns began to affect India’s standing as Washington’s preferred regional stabiliser.
Pakistan also benefited from its acceptance of US mediation during the crisis. In contrast, India’s dismissal of Washington’s ceasefire role reportedly caused friction. As New Delhi’s position cooled, Islamabad’s standing improved.
Pakistan’s military leadership played a central role. The appointment of Asim Munir as chief of defence forces, while retaining command of the army, underscored institutional consolidation and modernization.
Munir’s growing engagement with US leadership culminated in a White House lunch meeting, the first for a serving Pakistani army chief. Follow-up talks at US Central Command further cemented ties.
By early 2026, Pakistan occupies a renewed place in US regional strategy. Washington now views Islamabad as a potential bridge to Iran, a stakeholder in Middle East diplomacy and a counterbalance in a China-influenced region.
The India-first era in Washington has, for now, ended. Pakistan’s resurgence reflects shifting US priorities and Islamabad’s ability to leverage strategic opportunity. The realignment remains fluid, but Pakistan’s return to diplomatic relevance is now clear.
