Islamabad: Pakistan has emerged as a key pillar in President Donald Trump’s evolving foreign policy vision for South Asia.
According to Radio Pakistan, this is highlighted in an article carried by Washington Times, which underscores the dramatic shift in the US-Pakistan relations in 2025. The article notes that Pakistan has, to the US administration, earned its way to a place of importance in regional and international strategy, reshaping US policy and rewriting the balance of South Asia in 2025.
The article states that the thaw in US-Pakistan relations began with a series of discreet counterterrorism exchanges, and a key moment came in March when President Trump praised Pakistan’s counterterrorism efforts during a national address. This was seen as a break from longstanding policy and marked a shift in Washington’s approach, recognizing Pakistan as a newer and stronger ally.
It highlights that what had long been a brittle, transactional relationship began to take on greater importance as both sides realigned to the new realities. A decisive turning point came with Pakistan’s unexpected showing in its brief, but intense May clash with India, an outcome that reportedly left President Trump stunned. The conflict showcased a level of military discipline, strategic focus, and asymmetric capability that Washington had thought unattainable.
The article mentions that officials in Washington, who had casually written off Pakistan as a fading power, began referring to it once again as a serious regional actor. It also highlights the growing relationship between President Trump and Chief of Defence Forces, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, including their lunch meeting, which was the first for any head of Pakistan’s military in history. This was followed by the red carpet visit of Syed Asim Munir to Central Command Headquarters for high-level talks.
At the beginning of 2026, the Washington Times article states that Pakistan sits near the center of President Trump’s emerging grand strategy for South Asia and the Far East.