Certain recent developments are indicative of a revival of the lost bonhomie between Pakistan and the United States (US). The window of opportunity was opened when Pakistan got hold of a suspect of bombing at Kabul airport. Reportedly, Pakistan’s Field Marshal General Asim Munir took personal interest in informing the US authorities of the development and facilitated the handing over. The act is projected as a gesture of goodwill and portrayed as a declaration of Pakistan’s counter-terrorism commitments.

During the four-day conflict between Pakistan and India, at the behest of the US, Saudi Arabia remained instrumental in ensuring a ceasefire between the warring countries. Through his Twitter handle, US President Donald Trump announced that broker a ceasefire between Pakistan and India in return for better trade opportunities with the US. Trump used trade as an instrument to persuade both countries to conclude the war immediately.

Incarcerated PTI Leaders call for nationwide dialogue to address political, economic crisis

Pakistan found a chance to cash in on the situation. Though efforts to let Pakistan’s Field Marshal visit the US had been going on for months, this was an opportune time. For Pakistan, room for accommodation also existed in the corridors of both the Pentagon and Washington, DC. Trump and his cabinet members offered Pakistan’s Field Marshal an opportunity to meet them, away from the eyes of the US media. In return, Pakistan appreciated the efforts of Trump by nominating his name for the Nobel Peace Prize, 2026.

To many analysts, this pattern of development signposts a shift towards a new strategic Pak-US partnership. In fact, it is not. For........

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