A new era of diplomacy: How Shehbaz Sharif is steering Pakistan's foreign policy

The writer is a member of the National Assembly of Pakistan

In an age of complex global challenges, the art of foreign diplomacy has never been more critical. It is the peaceful conduct of international relations—the art of negotiation and communication—that serves as the primary tool for states to achieve their foreign policy goals without resorting to force. While historical figures like Richard Nixon and Henry Kissinger used "Ping-Pong Diplomacy" to bridge divides, and the founding father of Pakistan, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, used his diplomatic skill to create a new nation, Pakistan's current leader, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, is forging a new path defined by a pragmatic, economy-first agenda that has yielded unprecedented results in 2025.

Successful diplomacy is more than just formal meetings and handshakes; it's about using dialogue and negotiation to peacefully advance a nation's interests. According to scholars like Hans J. Morgenthau, diplomacy is the art of maximizing a country's position in a competitive international system. It is a crucial alternative to conflict, enabling states to resolve disputes, build alliances, and secure economic benefits.

The importance of diplomacy is evident in historical successes like the Camp David Accords, where U.S. President Jimmy Carter's personal mediation ended a state of war between Egypt and Israel. It also includes Pakistan's own history, with leaders like Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto who, after a devastating war, used the Simla Agreement to secure the return of 93,000 prisoners of war—a remarkable diplomatic feat.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's diplomatic style is a clear reflection of his nation's current needs, and it aligns with the core principles of effective international diplomacy. While leaders like U.S. President Joe Biden focus on a values-driven, multilateral approach and China's President Xi Jinping pursues a long-term strategic vision through ambitious projects like the Belt and Road Initiative, Shehbaz Sharif's diplomacy is more pragmatic and transactional.

He has actively engaged with global leaders to achieve tangible, immediate results. Unlike a top-down, ideological approach, his style is hands-on and bilateral. His frequent meetings with leaders of China, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and the United States are not just for show; they are meticulously planned to secure financial lifelines, investment, and trade agreements.

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has used his personal rapport and a clear, results-driven approach to secure crucial support for Pakistan. His most significant achievement is the Strategic Mutual Defence Agreement (SMDA) with Saudi Arabia, signed on September 17, 2025. This landmark pact represents the most significant defense upgrade between the two countries in decades, with the agreement stating that "any aggression against either country shall be considered an aggression against both," showcasing a major step beyond previous security cooperation.

This defense alliance has been complemented by strengthened economic ties with Gulf nations, positioning Pakistan as a key strategic partner in the region's security architecture.

In September 2025, PM Shehbaz achieved a diplomatic milestone by formally launching CPEC 2.0 during his strategic visit to China. In a highly productive meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to the upgraded China-Pakistan Economic Corridor's second phase, featuring five new economic corridors.

The September 2025 visit resulted in 21 memorandums of understanding (MoUs) worth $8.5 billion, covering critical sectors including agriculture, electric vehicles, solar energy, healthcare, and steel production. The landmark Joint Action Plan 29-2024 was signed, setting the stage for massive infrastructure projects including the ML-1 railway project, Karakoram Highway realignment, and Gwadar Port expansion.

This strategic partnership shift toward business-to-business (B2B) investments demonstrates PM Sharif's ability to adapt diplomatic strategies to maximize economic benefits while maintaining China's status as Pakistan's most reliable strategic partner.

Despite complex regional dynamics, PM Shehbaz has successfully maintained constructive dialogue with the United States. In April 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio's call with the Pakistani Prime Minister highlighted continued bilateral engagement, with discussions focusing on regional stability and Pakistan's role in South Asian peace initiatives. This balanced approach has allowed Pakistan to maintain strategic autonomy while engaging productively with both China and the United States—a diplomatic balancing act that few nations manage successfully.

PM Shehbaz has institutionalized defense and strategic ties with Turkey through the High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council. This collaboration has led to groundbreaking agreements for the joint production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and the licensed manufacturing of Turkish radar and electronic warfare systems in Pakistan. The August 2025 17th ECO Summit witnessed a powerful display of solidarity between Pakistan, Turkey, and Azerbaijan, with PM Shehbaz, President Erdogan, and President Aliyev demonstrating the strong brotherly ties between the three nations.

In February 2025, PM Shehbaz's visit to Azerbaijan resulted in the implementation of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) and Transit Trade Agreement (TTA). The establishment of the Azerbaijan-Pakistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry in February 2025 opened new avenues for bilateral trade and investment.

Facing a severe economic crisis, Shehbaz Sharif used his diplomatic skills to engage with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), successfully negotiating crucial loan agreements that stabilized Pakistan's economy. This demonstrates his ability to bring divergent views closer through persistent negotiation—a skill emphasized by scholar Henry Kissinger.

In a display of effective crisis diplomacy, PM Shehbaz successfully rallied international support following devastating floods. At the "International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan" in Geneva, he secured billions of dollars in pledges for rehabilitation and reconstruction. His leadership in climate advocacy has earned international recognition, with PM Shehbaz being acknowledged among the world's 500 most influential Muslims by The Muslim 500 in 2025, an annual publication by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre in Amman, Jordan.

PM Shehbaz Sharif's diplomatic style is defined by its pragmatism, active bilateralism, crisis management capabilities, and focus on measurable outcomes. His May 2025 strategic diplomatic tour to four friendly nations demonstrated Pakistan's peaceful intent and diplomatic strength, resulting in stronger bilateral ties, renewed political trust, and concrete agreements on trade, defense cooperation, and connectivity.

This direct, results-oriented approach, while perhaps lacking the grand ideological sweep of other global leaders, is perfectly suited to Pakistan's immediate needs and long-term strategic interests.

In the long run, this comprehensive diplomatic strategy is providing significant benefits. By securing economic stability through the IMF agreement and CPEC 2.0, strengthening defense ties through the Saudi SMDA and Turkish partnerships, and maintaining balanced relationships with major powers, PM Shehbaz is laying the foundation for a more resilient and secure Pakistan. His focus on building strong personal and state-to-state relationships with key partners across different continents—from China and Turkey to Saudi Arabia and the United States—represents a clear and effective method to navigate complex global politics. The Azerbaijan partnership and Central Asian engagement further demonstrate Pakistan's expanding diplomatic footprint.

PM Shehbaz Sharif's approach demonstrates that in a world of evolving power dynamics, a pragmatic focus on tangible outcomes, combined with strategic relationship-building across diverse partnerships, is a powerful tool for a nation to secure its place on the global stage. His 2025 diplomatic achievements—from the historic Saudi defense agreement to the transformative CPEC 2.0 launch—represent not just tactical successes but a fundamental shift toward a more economically focused, pragmatically driven foreign policy that serves Pakistan's national interests while contributing to regional stability and global cooperation.

This new era of Pakistani diplomacy under PM Shehbaz Sharif's leadership offers a compelling model for middle powers seeking to maximize their strategic position through skilled negotiation, economic diplomacy, and carefully balanced international partnerships.