Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s nearly ten-year campaign to diplomatically isolate Pakistan has not achieved its intended outcome. Analysts highlight that Islamabad has successfully positioned itself as a significant diplomatic actor among global superpowers and regional stakeholders.
This evaluation comes almost a decade after Modi vowed to isolate Pakistan following a 2016 attack in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), which resulted in the deaths of 18 Indian soldiers. At a rally in Kerala, Modi pledged to intensify efforts to ensure Pakistan’s global isolation.
However, Pakistan today remains far from isolated. It continues to be a close strategic ally of China and has re-established itself as a trusted partner of the United States during Donald Trump’s presidency. Over the past year, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir have both met Trump at the White House. Additionally, Pakistan has played a pivotal mediating role in US-Iran diplomatic efforts.
Analysts attribute this to Pakistan’s success in cultivating relations with Trump and leveraging key geopolitical developments to enhance its diplomatic relevance among superpowers and regional players.
Meanwhile, Pakistan-India relations have remained largely stagnant, with diplomatic channels frozen and intermittent border clashes persisting. Notably, in May 2025, during an 87-hour conflict, Pakistan downed eight Indian fighter jets—including four French-made Rafale jets, one Su-30, one MiG-29, one Mirage 2000, and an expensive multi-role unmanned aerial system—along with dozens of drones.
The conflict concluded on May 10 with a ceasefire brokered by the United States. While India claimed the ceasefire was a result of bilateral dialogue, Trump repeatedly asserted that Washington played a crucial role in preventing a dangerous escalation between the nuclear-armed neighbors. He also offered to assist in resolving the longstanding Kashmir dispute, which has defined India-Pakistan relations since 1947.
Trump has since emphasized on more than 30 occasions that he facilitated the truce, also echoing Pakistan’s narrative by confirming that Indian jets were shot down on the conflict’s first day. India’s hesitation to immediately counter these claims reinforced perceptions that Pakistan gained the upper hand in shaping the international narrative.
Furthermore, India failed to convince the global community of Pakistan’s alleged involvement in the attack that triggered the May 2025 hostilities. Analysts note that Modi’s refusal to acknowledge Trump’s role in the ceasefire strained US-India relations, whereas Pakistan promptly recognized Trump’s efforts and even nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
In a significant development, Pakistan’s diplomatic relations with Bangladesh have improved markedly following the removal of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed. Pakistan’s longstanding strategic partnership with China was also highlighted during last year’s conflict, with Pakistan employing Chinese missile defense systems and aircraft.
Meanwhile, India’s growing alliance with Israel—becoming its closest ally and largest weapons buyer—has complicated its relations with Gulf states. This shift coincides with Pakistan deepening its security cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.
Amid Israel’s multiple conflicts across Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Iran, Qatar, and Syria, Gulf nations are increasingly seeking alternatives to their traditional reliance on US security guarantees. In September 2025, Saudi Arabia signed a mutual defense pact with Pakistan, with reports suggesting other Gulf countries and Turkey may join this agreement.
Last May’s war further enhanced Pakistan’s reputation as a credible security provider, leading to a surge in demand for Pakistani fighter jets across the region.
