IN May 2025, Pakistan confronted Indian aggression with a firmness that brought its neighbour sharply to its senses. The episode, brief yet decisive, marked a turning point not only on the battlefield but also in the wider sphere of international affairs. While Indian forces reeled from a military reverse they had not anticipated, the United States President repeatedly spoke on global platforms of India’s defeat, lending official weight to a reality New Delhi wished to obscure. Pakistan, having prevailed militarily, moved with equal confidence on the diplomatic front. Across the Gulf and in European capitals, Islamabad’s voice carried growing authority, while India struggled to present itself as a responsible actor. Within India, Narendra Modi’s government faced criticism following the conflict, despite attempts to reshape the narrative through public messaging. At the same time, fresh tensions emerged in the Gulf, where Pakistan again demonstrated its diplomatic importance. Through engagement with Gulf States and the United States, Islamabad helped open channels of dialogue and contributed to preventing wider conflict. The contrast with India became increasingly evident. While Pakistan worked to ease tensions and promote stability, New Delhi appeared driven by rivalry and resentment. The American President later acknowledged Pakistan’s role in preventing war, an admission that further heightened India’s frustration.
Throughout these turbulent weeks, India’s alignments became increasingly visible. Its willingness to share information concerning Iranian ship movements and its tacit support for actions against Iran placed it firmly on one side of a dangerous regional divide. Iran, however, emerged resilient against its adversaries, frustrating much of the disruption Israel had sought to engineer through its increasingly assertive regional conduct. In this atmosphere, India’s attempts to expand its role in Gulf affairs found little welcome. Pakistani diplomacy, grounded in conciliation rather than confrontation, ensured that New Delhi’s overtures met closed doors. When Israel found itself under mounting pressure, it turned once more to its established ties with the United Arab Emirates. India, excluded from the broader strategic equation, sought to deepen those same connections through Israeli cooperation, positioning itself as an indirect sympathizer of both states. Israel and India have also been accused of encouraging divisions among Gulf countries, with the apparent objective of weakening the unity of the Muslim Ummah. Pakistani observers have remained vigilant regarding such manoeuvres and the possibility that future provocations in the region could be manipulated to place blame upon another Muslim state.
India may yet attempt further mischief by encouraging the UAE to replace Pakistani workers with Indian skilled labour. Such efforts, however, are unlikely to succeed. During the Gulf crisis, Pakistan maintained cordial contact with all concerned states, while Gulf governments openly appreciated Islamabad’s efforts to restore peace and stability. Pakistan’s conduct stood in sharp contrast to India’s attempts to poison regional relations through misleading narratives, including claims that Pakistan had sided with Iran against the UAE. In reality, Pakistan consistently worked to calm tensions and discourage escalation, whereas India appeared guided primarily by narrow self-interest. History itself reflects the depth of Pakistan’s relationship with the United Arab Emirates. During the 1970s, Pakistani diplomacy and support played a meaningful role in helping the separate emirates evolve into a stable federation. Pakistani expertise and labour also contributed significantly to the UAE’s remarkable development in subsequent decades. Those bonds remain strong and multifaceted today. At a time when India pursues divisive policies, Pakistan continues to rely upon diplomacy, goodwill, and cooperation to strengthen its ties across the Gulf.
In the UAE, Pakistan is represented by Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, a seasoned diplomat who previously served as spokesperson for the Foreign Office and gained valuable parliamentary experience in the National Assembly. His appointment reflects the importance Islamabad places upon this vital relationship. The ties between Pakistan and the UAE are rooted in shared history, mutual respect, and enduring cooperation. At a time when the Muslim world confronts numerous political and security challenges, Pakistan continues to advocate for unity within the Ummah, urging Muslim nations to rise above temporary differences and stand together with dignity and strength. The recent crises have illuminated a clear distinction between regional approaches. Pakistan has projected itself as a force for stability and dialogue, willing to invest its diplomatic capital in the cause of peace and regional harmony. India, by contrast, has often appeared driven by grievance and opportunism. As tensions gradually subside across the Gulf and beyond, the international community would do well to reflect upon which country truly served the interests of peace and stability. Pakistan’s conduct during these difficult months has earned it considerable respect, and its future course, guided by the same principles of restraint and diplomacy, is likely to reinforce that standing further. In an increasingly fractured and uncertain world, such consistency remains both rare and valuable.
—The writer is Director General Research, National Assembly Secretariat, Parliament House, Islamabad.
