FOREIGN policy is the mechanism through which a country conducts diplomatic interactions and manages relationships with other nations.
It reflects a country’s values and goals, helping to drive its political, strategic and economic objectives on the global stage. It is typically viewed as a purposive tool to achieve multiple national objectives without excessive costs. According to Henry Kissinger, foreign policy is an extension of domestic policy and its strength reflects the interests and priorities of the country. James Rosenau noted that small states can play effectively on the global stage by leveraging their geopolitical location, natu-ral resources and military strength. Moreover, small states can perform efficiently if they are politically stable, economically sound and militarily capable. Foreign policy, therefore, can be used to achieve economic prosperity and territorial security, prevent and resolve conflicts and influence the world through a combination of stable economy, military strength, socio-cultural values, natural resources and strategic geography.
In the contemporary geopolitical landscape, Pakistan is considered a “small state” in terms of territory, population, natural resources and limited industrial and technological capacity. However, following the May 2025 four-day war with India, Pakistan’s defence forces dem-onstrated outstanding performance and played an indispensable role in achieving a glorious victory. This conflict elevated Pakistan to the status of a country with a “Big Foreign Policy,” as its powerful response was recognized by global powers, significantly influencing interna-tional perceptions. Indian Operation Sindoor collapsed, while Pakistan’s Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos (“Solid Wall of Lead”) was declared a successful retaliatory military operation, showcasing advanced capabilities and producing strategic and diplomatic shifts. India’s global standing suffered and Pakistan emerged as a key player on the world stage. The inter-national community acknowledged Pakistan’s conventional and nuclear military strength, re-ducing the likelihood of future regional conflict.
The victory demonstrated Pakistan’s ability to formulate and execute coherent long-term strategies, improving its regional and global strategic position and enhancing its geopolitical influence. Pakistan gained the capacity to create new norms and values to shape regional or-der. According to the Daily Telegraph, Pakistan now possesses significant military and stra-tegic capabilities that enable it to exert influence beyond the region and shape international rules and norms. Al Jazeera noted that the conflict gave Pakistan the opportunity to engage in strategic competition and form alliances to prevent any single state from achieving regional hegemony. The New York Times reported that Pakistan maintains a balance of power to deter aggression and reduce the risk of major war. By leveraging attraction and persuasion rather than coercion, Pakistan has pursued a more assertive foreign policy, challenging India’s dominance and seeking to reshape the regional order in line with its interests. US Congres-sional reports highlighted that Pakistan’s military success in May 2025 shattered the “myth” of Indian conventional superiority, boosting national confidence and defensive capabilities. This victory also reassured smaller neighboring countries and reduced New Delhi’s pressure on them.
Furthermore, Pakistan has re-emerged as a key strategic player on the global stage. Leading international publications have highlighted its significant diplomatic and security successes, driven by proactive engagement with the United States and key regional partners. In an analysis titled “How Pakistan Won Over the White House,” the Daily Telegraph and The Guardian noted that Pakistan adopted a front-foot strategy on both military and diplomatic fronts, led by Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir. The country moved beyond rhetoric, deliver-ing concrete results that rebuilt trust in Washington, London and other European capitals. The extradition of the suspect involved in the Abbey Gate attack to the United States became a major turning point, occurring within two days of arrest—a signal of Pakistan’s seriousness in counterterrorism cooperation, praised by senior Pakistani and former US officials. Journal-ist Rob Crilly reported that Pakistan secured better trade tariff concessions than several other countries and its leadership gained direct access to the Oval Office, reshaping the White House’s outlook toward Islamabad.
Indeed, Pakistan has emerged as an important regional player, possessing significant conven-tional and nuclear power and political influence extending well beyond the usual role of small countries. Its foreign policy focuses on keeping the country strong and secure, transforming limited resources into diplomatic leverage and shaping a more inclusive global system that addresses issues beyond the traditional focus of great powers. Pakistan’s power ensures peace and affects the behavior of major powers. Strategically engaging with leading nations, it has successfully shaped global affairs to its benefit, leveling the playing field and influencing in-ternational agendas on security, technology and diplomacy. As a small state, Pakistan ac-tively upholds multilateralism and international law amid growing geopolitical tensions and global challenges. Its foreign policy decisions have significant impacts on regional and global security, now and in the future. Its May 2025 victory has expanded its international engage-ments, marking one of the finest moments in the country’s history.
—The writer is a Defence and Security Analyst based in Islamabad.
