WAR usually brings destruction, but this time something different is happening — both for Pakistan and Iran.
These developments are highly promising and hold the potential to not only change the fate of the two brotherly nations but the entire region. One notable event occurred at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Defence Ministers’ conference in China, where Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif made a bold and confident entry, while his Indian counterpart remained in the background. India refused to sign the conference declaration, claiming it reflected Pakistan’s position — a significant diplomatic victory for Pakistan. Pakistan is now also gaining support from Russia, shifting the regional political landscape.
Traditionally, Russia has been a close ally of India, but this shift in attitude has left India in a state of shock. Indian media is repeatedly asking: Why has Russia changed? Some attribute this to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whose policies have led India to this situation. However, there’s a major reason that India seems blind to. India is not only facing estrangement from Russia. At the G7 summit in Canada, India was notably sidelined. Even Donald Trump, who once called Narendra Modi a “brother” and “friend,” is now showing a different attitude. India is becoming diplomatically isolated. Is this solely because of its defeat in war against Pakistan?
That’s part of the reason — but not the whole story. The bigger reason lies in India’s arrogant behaviour and its intoxication with economic and diplomatic power, which led it to attempt dominating the global stage while exporting terrorism. Recently, India has also begun using Afghanistan and Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) as proxies to promote terror. India has exported terrorism to Canada, the US and the UK. Pakistan has long suffered from it — but now that the rest of the world is affected, attitudes are changing. And in the midst of this madness, India also lost the war. Who stands with a defeated warrior? Hence, India’s diplomatic isolation is a natural outcome of its own conduct.
Pakistan, after years of struggle, corrected its policies and achieved decisive victories against terrorism. The world recognized this and began to appreciate that Pakistan is not only securing itself but contributing to global peace. All Indian efforts to isolate Pakistan economically and diplomatically have failed. Pakistan is now reaping the benefits of its correct policies. After victory in war, Pakistan has emerged as a major global player. Its efforts to mediate an end to the recent Iran-Israel war have been recognized internationally. President Trump has repeatedly praised Field Marshal Asim Munir by name.
Pakistan has achieved a historic success — the kind that requires careful handling to yield long-term benefits. Such care is impossible without a stable political system. Fortunately, President Asif Ali Zardari, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir are united in this regard. This level of national consensus is unprecedented and deserving of praise. Just like Pakistan, Iran has also found an extraordinary opportunity in the aftermath of war. Iran won the conflict in such a decisive manner that even President Trump was forced to acknowledge it, stating that Iran dealt a severe blow to Israel in the final stages of the war. Whether Iran likes this recognition or not, it is still a mark of honour. This honour is even more significant because Iran has shattered the myth of Israel being invincible. This success is crucial in keeping Israel in check.
Another dimension of Iran’s victory is economic. The US is showing willingness to negotiate. President Trump bluntly stated that China may now purchase oil from Iran. If this happens, it would be a major step toward lifting sanctions on Iran. The lifting of these sanctions would undoubtedly benefit Iran — but also strengthen the economies of countries like Pakistan. The real challenge now is: can Iran seize this rare opportunity? The Iranian parliament recently passed a bill to exit the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Given the aggression imposed on Iran, such resentment is understandable. Sometimes such steps are taken to satisfy public sentiment. But the key question is whether Iran will open a new front at this critical moment. This is a very important concern.
Fortunately, Iran’s cooperation with Pakistan and other allies in resolving the recent war and its appreciation of their efforts, indicate that — despite its natural anger — Iran is likely to act with wisdom. In conclusion, the wars in the region have opened promising new possibilities. It is hoped that the leadership of Pakistan and Iran will wisely capitalize on these opportunities to promote stability and prosperity throughout the region.
—This writer is former advisor to the President of Pakistan, author & mass media theorist.
(farooq.adilbhuta@gmail,com)
