ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s international profile is strengthening after US President Donald Trump publicly embraced Army Chief General Asim Munir, calling him a “great guy” and crediting him with helping avert a major South Asian crisis. According to a Bloomberg report published Friday, Islamabad views the renewed US engagement as a diplomatic victory following the May confrontation with India.
The report notes a dramatic shift in Washington’s regional approach. As Trump’s relationship with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi deteriorates—amid record-high US tariffs on India—Pakistan has re-emerged as a key geopolitical player. A recent US Congress assessment even stated Pakistan “beat India” in the latest standoff, marking a sharp departure from years of US policy centered on New Delhi.
Bloomberg added that Trump has repeatedly praised Munir in public remarks, placing him on “equal footing” with Modi. The shift, however, has unsettled longtime policymakers in Washington. Kurt Campbell, former US deputy secretary of state, warned that a breakdown in US-India ties could cause “lasting damage,” while former Obama-era official Nisha Biswal argued that a balanced relationship with Islamabad gives Washington useful leverage.
In Pakistan, Munir’s stature has soared. Officials, including State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, framed the May clash as both a military and diplomatic success, highlighting improved unity between civilian and military leadership. Analysts noted that Pakistan has quickly aligned its priorities with Trump-era interests, from counterterrorism to cryptocurrency, while benefiting from reduced US tariffs.
Beyond Washington, Pakistan has intensified ties with Saudi Arabia through new economic and defence agreements. At the same time, the US has shown interest in Pakistan’s minerals sector, with US Strategic Metals signing an MoU in September following meetings with Munir.
Still, Bloomberg cautioned that Pakistan faces the challenge of balancing its renewed US ties with its longstanding partnership with China.
