Pakistan has gained unprecedented global attention after defeating India in the brief but intense May 2025 war, according to Ambassador to the United States Rizwan Saeed Sheikh. He said the conflict reshaped international perceptions of Pakistan. He added that the country is now viewed as a confident and responsible global actor. The envoy described 2025 as a transformative year for Pakistan’s foreign relations, especially ties with Washington.
Pakistan and India went to war in May after India launched what Islamabad described as an unprovoked attack. The escalation followed an attack on tourists in IIOJK. India claimed the attackers were Pakistanis. Pakistan rejected the allegation and called for a neutral international investigation. The conflict lasted 87 hours and ended on May 10 after a US-brokered ceasefire.
Global Standing and Diplomatic Confidence
Ambassador Sheikh said Pakistan has always played a constructive role in maintaining international security. He said recent events have strengthened Pakistan’s standing on the world stage. According to him, Pakistan demonstrated resolve in a sensitive region. He said the nation proved it could defend its interests responsibly.
During the conflict, Pakistan downed six Indian fighter jets, including three Rafales, and intercepted dozens of drones. Sheikh said this outcome enhanced Pakistan’s diplomatic credibility. He credited the country’s leadership for effective diplomacy during a challenging period. He also praised the role of Pakistan’s media and diplomatic missions for working in coordination.
The ambassador noted that overseas Pakistanis felt renewed pride after the events of 2025. He said many expatriates felt a stronger sense of belonging. Confidence in Pakistan’s global image has improved, he added.
Pakistan-US Relations Enter New Phase
Sheikh said Pakistan-US relations improved significantly over the past year. He described the progress as positive and visible. He said regular contact between top leaders of both countries helped rebuild trust. According to him, cooperation is now being noticed internationally.
The envoy said Pakistan’s engagement with the US is becoming more structured. He added that relations are being managed in an institutional manner. This approach, he said, supports long-term cooperation. He expressed optimism that bilateral ties will strengthen further in the coming months.
Trade figures reflect this upward trend. Goods trade between Pakistan and the US rose by 16.3 percent. Exports to the US increased by 11.5 percent. Services trade surged by 39.7 percent. Remittances also grew by 5.4 percent. Sheikh said Pakistan successfully protected its competitive interests during tariff-related talks.
Shift Toward Geoeconomics and Future Outlook
The ambassador said Pakistan’s foreign policy focus has shifted from geopolitics to geoeconomics. He said this change is already delivering results. Cooperation with the US is expanding in minerals, energy, IT, health, education, and counterterrorism. He highlighted the growing global presence of Pakistani youth, especially in the IT sector.
Sheikh said stronger ties with individual US states are opening new economic opportunities. He added that Pakistan is widening engagement with the current US administration. In his New Year 2026 message, he said 2025 carried a transformative tenor for bilateral relations built over eight decades.
He said both countries identified new areas for long-term cooperation. These include IT, minerals, energy, hospitality, and tourism. He described these sectors as mutually beneficial. Leadership-level contacts remained frequent throughout the year, he noted.
Looking ahead to 2026, Sheikh said both sides recognise the importance of strategic ties. He described Pakistan and the US as two mega countries of the future. He stressed the need to turn policy alignment into people-to-people and business links. He extended New Year greetings to Pakistani Americans and the US nation, expressing hope for tangible progress ahead.
