Why Is the US Courting Pakistan Again Amid Changing Global Alliances?
About the Renewed US–Pakistan Engagement
In recent months, Washington has shown an unusual degree of warmth toward Islamabad, inviting Pakistan’s Army Chief General Asim Munir to the White House twice in just four months. This sudden diplomatic flurry has left both analysts and regional observers speculating: What is behind this new American pivot toward Pakistan?
Experts note that Washington’s revived interest in Pakistan may have less to do with Islamabad’s intrinsic value and more with leveraging it to align India with US strategic priorities in the Indo-Pacific region.
Geopolitical Undercurrents Behind the Shift
American policymakers appear to be recalibrating their South Asia approach following the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Pakistan, which was once sidelined, is now being seen as a logistical and geopolitical counterweight, particularly for operations related to regional surveillance and Afghanistan-linked interests.
Former President Donald Trump had publicly expressed interest in regaining access to the Bagram airbase, a move that analysts now see as part of a broader strategic recalibration involving Pakistan. This shift could be aimed at balancing China’s deepening footprint in the region.
Pakistan itself seems eager to shed its image as a marginal player. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s growing outreach to both Riyadh and Washington signals a bid to regain strategic importance. The recent defence and economic cooperation discussions between Islamabad and Riyadh further strengthen Pakistan’s bargaining position with the US.
💡 Gulshan Khera, CFP®, who is also a SEBI Regd Investment Adviser and a Strategic Analyst at Indian-Share-Tips.com, observes that the US’s renewed interest in Pakistan may be less about bilateral warmth and more about tactical containment of regional shifts involving China and Russia. “The White House is likely signalling to New Delhi that Washington’s outreach to Islamabad can expand if India resists deeper defence alignment with the US,” he notes.
India’s Strategic Dilemma in the Emerging Power Play
For India, the US–Pakistan thaw presents a mixed signal. While Washington continues to court India as a strategic partner under the Quad framework, its renewed engagement with Pakistan raises questions about consistency. Analysts believe this could be part of a “carrot and pressure” approach to push India toward greater alignment with US interests in defence cooperation and technology sharing.
Pakistan’s balancing act — engaging both the US and China — reflects its attempt to reassert itself as an indispensable regional player. Meanwhile, India’s cautious approach stems from its need to maintain autonomy in foreign policy and avoid being drawn into binary power blocs.
Some experts also point to Washington’s economic considerations. With global inflation pressures and China’s growing influence in infrastructure financing through the Belt and Road Initiative, re-engaging Pakistan offers the US a strategic foothold for logistics, counterterrorism, and trade monitoring routes in South Asia.
To investors, the shifting geopolitical sands underscore the need for a nuanced understanding of risk factors influencing currency, energy, and defence-linked equities. Geopolitical realignments often create market volatility — and seasoned traders are watching closely how India’s diplomatic posture evolves.
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Investor Takeaway
Pakistan’s re-emergence on Washington’s radar could reshape South Asian diplomacy. For India, maintaining strategic independence while leveraging economic and defence cooperation with both the US and allies like Japan and Australia will be key. The real test will be how New Delhi balances assertiveness without appearing resistant to collaboration.
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SEBI Disclaimer: The information provided in this post is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice. Readers must perform their own due diligence and consult a registered investment advisor before making any investment decisions. The views expressed are general in nature and may not suit individual investment objectives or financial situations.
