Pakistan's diplomatic ascendance

A few years ago, Pakistan was more likely to appear in international headlines for FATF scrutiny, IMF negotiations, political instability and security challenges. Today, the 'Islamabad MoU' between the US and Iran stands as a symbol of the country's unexpected return to diplomatic relevance. While the deal remains fragile and its future uncertain, bringing the process this far required sustained diplomatic effort. Pakistan's contribution deserves recognition – it changed the course of history, saved the region or emerged as a superpower.

For years, Pakistan was viewed in many Western policy circles through a narrow security lens. International discourse frequently focused on terrorism, militancy, governance deficits, political instability and economic fragility. The country's diplomatic space appeared increasingly constrained.

Perhaps the clearest manifestation of this pressure was Pakistan's placement on the FATF grey list from 2018 to 2022. FATF grey-listing increased scrutiny of Pakistan's financial system, complicated access to international finance and reinforced negative perceptions among investors and policymakers.

At the same time, Pakistan was often portrayed as a problem to be managed rather than a partner to be consulted. Yet diplomacy is rarely static. States regain relevance not only through economic strength but also through strategic positioning, institutional resilience and geopolitical necessity.

Pakistan's recent trajectory illustrates this reality. An objective assessment would acknowledge the country's ability to maintain working relations with actors that fundamentally distrust one another. It enjoys a strategic partnership with China while preserving engagement with the US. It maintains close ties with Saudi Arabia while keeping channels open with Iran. It has expanded relations with Türkiye and the Gulf states without alienating other regional actors.

This balancing act is neither simple nor cost-free. Pakistan condemned attacks on Saudi Arabia's oil facilities and supported Saudi security concerns. At the same time, it avoided joining military coalitions directed against Iran and consistently advocated dialogue between Riyadh and Tehran. Such policies did not make Pakistan neutral in a moral sense; they made it useful. In international politics, usefulness often matters more than neutrality.

This ability to maintain communication with competing power centres has become one of Pakistan's most valuable diplomatic assets. Islamabad can engage Washington, Beijing, Riyadh and Tehran simultaneously - a distinction few countries can credibly claim.

Two factors help explain this diplomatic resurgence. The first is geography. Pakistan sits at the intersection of South Asia, the Persian Gulf, Central Asia and western China. It shares a border with Iran, maintains deep ties with Gulf states, enjoys a strategic partnership with China and retains channels to the US. As regional tensions intensified, particularly during the Iran War, this geography once again became an asset.

The second factor is that successful mediators typically possess three characteristics: access to both sides, acceptability to both sides and a strong incentive to prevent escalation. Pakistan met all three conditions.

Most importantly, Pakistan had a direct stake in avoiding conflict. A major US-Iran war would have triggered refugee influx, instability along the Balochistan border, disruptions to Gulf remittances and the risk of heightened sectarian tensions at home. Having already borne the long-term consequences of the Afghan conflict, Pakistan could ill afford another war in its neighbourhood. In facilitating dialogue, it was ultimately defending its own national interests.

After years of diplomatic headwinds, Pakistan has become more relevant than many anticipated. Yet diplomatic relevance is only the beginning. The real test lies in converting this achievement into greater investment, stronger economic growth, enhanced regional connectivity and long-term strategic influence. Equally important, the strategic wisdom displayed abroad must be matched at home. Sustainable influence ultimately depends not only on diplomatic success but also on political stability, institutional strength and sound governance.