Over the course of 2025, Pakistan experienced a remarkable shift in its standing in Washington, moving from a marginalised and mistrusted partner to a central component of President Donald Trump’s evolving South Asia strategy
The report notes that U.S. officials who had previously dismissed Pakistan now describe it as responsive, cooperative, and increasingly adaptable. What started as cautious, limited engagement developed into a “virtuous cycle,” where incremental gestures from Islamabad generated goodwill in Washington, prompting deeper cooperation and accelerated strategic alignment.
By the end of 2025, Pakistan had transitioned “from pariah to partner,” the report states, noting that few nations have seen such a rapid and dramatic improvement in reputation. Its performance during a brief but intense military confrontation with India in May was a decisive factor, demonstrating discipline, strategic focus, and effective asymmetric capability—qualities that impressed President Trump and senior U.S. officials, prompting a reevaluation of Pakistan as a serious regional actor.
At the start of 2025, Washington viewed Pakistan cautiously, concerned about its political alignment, economic challenges, and transparency within its security institutions. However, each cooperative move by Islamabad built credibility and encouraged further engagement, transforming a previously transactional relationship into one with strategic depth.
The report highlights that Pakistan’s response to U.S.-brokered ceasefire efforts with India, coupled with internal military reforms under Field Marshal Asim Munir, reinforced perceptions of strategic coherence and institutional discipline. Meanwhile, doubts about India’s domestic politics, civil liberties, and military performance led U.S. officials to reconsider long-standing assumptions about regional stability.
By early 2026, Pakistan had emerged as a key player in U.S. strategic calculations for South Asia and parts of the Middle East, offering strategic advantages such as a discreet channel to Iran and a counterbalance to China. The country’s military modernization, including the creation of the Chief of Defence Forces post held by Munir, further strengthened its global relevance.
Amid this development in ties between both countries, Pakistan US Trade Deal To Boost Exports Amid Economic Growth Outlook
