Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's decade-old strategy to isolate Pakistan internationally has collapsed. In 2016, Modi vowed to make Pakistan a pariah, but today Islamabad maintains strong ties with both China and the United States, undermining New Delhi's efforts.

In May 2025, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between the nuclear-armed rivals after four days of intense fighting involving ballistic missiles, fighter jets, and drones. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked Trump and nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize, while Modi remained silent, refusing to acknowledge U.S. mediation.

Analysts say India's isolation strategy backfired. Michael Kugelman of the Atlantic Council noted that India's approach failed, and Pakistan's military performance earned it global respect. Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir visited the White House, and Trump praised him as an "exceptional human being."

U.S.-India relations have been strained by Trump's tariff war. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited India and criticized the trade imbalance, while Pakistan deepened its partnership with Washington. India's refusal to credit Trump for the ceasefire further damaged ties.

India's shift away from strategic autonomy, its alignment with Israel, and its abandonment of Iranian oil have weakened its international standing. Meanwhile, Pakistan signed a mutual defense pact with Saudi Arabia and strengthened ties with Gulf states, while India's boycott of SAARC has left regional integration in tatters.

Source: www.aljazeera.com