The recent meeting of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif and Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir with U.S. President Donald Trump marks an important turning point in Pakistan–America relations. It is not just another diplomatic encounter; it is a reminder of the deep historical partnership between Islamabad and Washington, and a signal that both sides are ready to rediscover common ground. For Pakistan, it is an opportunity to reinforce its role as a responsible regional player and a reliable ally. For the United States, it is a moment to recognize Pakistan’s enduring relevance to its strategic goals in South Asia and beyond.
A Friendship with Deep Roots
To understand the significance of this meeting, we must recall the trajectory of Pakistan–America relations. During the Cold War era, Pakistan stood firmly by the United States and the West. It played a critical role in protecting American interests in the region and ensured that Washington achieved many of its strategic objectives. Whether it was joining security alliances like SEATO and CENTO, serving as a conduit for U.S.–China rapprochement in the 1970s, or supporting American efforts in Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion, Pakistan consistently demonstrated its commitment as a trusted ally.
This longstanding partnership was not built overnight. It was rooted in shared strategic concerns, mutual respect, and the belief that peace and stability in South Asia required cooperation. Pakistan shouldered responsibilities well beyond its size, often at great sacrifice.
The Era of Drift
Over time, however, this relationship began to drift. A new narrative emerged in Washington that tilted heavily toward India. The assumption was that New Delhi could serve as the primary partner to counterbalance China’s rise and safeguard American interests in the Indo-Pacific. In this strategic calculation, Pakistan was often sidelined or viewed narrowly through the prism of Afghanistan.
But history has proven otherwise. India, despite enjoying years of preferential treatment and strategic courtesies, has failed to demonstrate either the capability or the political will to advance American objectives. Nowhere was this more evident than in Afghanistan, where India’s role remained limited while Pakistan bore the brunt of instability, hosting millions of Afghan refugees and sacrificing lives and resources in the fight against terrorism.
The United States’ hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan highlighted the shortcomings of its overreliance on India and its sidelining of Pakistan. Without Pakistan’s cooperation, Washington could not achieve an orderly exit or a sustainable peace.
Realization in Washington
There is now a growing realization in Washington, particularly under President Trump’s administration, that Pakistan is not only relevant but also indispensable. Unlike India, Pakistan has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to protect American interests and to help achieve strategic objectives in the region. From counterterrorism cooperation to facilitating peace talks, Pakistan has the experience, infrastructure, and willingness to act as a stabilizing partner.
President Trump’s recognition of this fact is a welcome development. His willingness to engage directly with Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership underscores a pragmatic understanding: America cannot afford to ignore Pakistan if it seeks stability in South Asia, progress in Afghanistan, and constructive engagement with the Muslim world.
The Indian Factor
Another dimension that cannot be overlooked is the Indian factor. Several U.S. administrations believed that India could serve as a linchpin in their strategy to counter China’s rise. Yet, recent events have challenged this assumption.
The brief but intense escalation between India and Pakistan in May 2025 was revealing. Despite its larger military and economic size, India struggled to counter Pakistan effectively. This raised serious doubts about India’s ability to confront China, a far more formidable power. If New Delhi cannot handle Islamabad, how can it serve as a reliable partner against Beijing?
Moreover, political realities also matter. Prime Minister Narendra Modi openly aligned himself with former President Joe Biden during the 2024 elections, even making anti-Trump remarks. Such positions have not gone unnoticed in Washington. President Trump, known for his sharp memory and direct style, is unlikely to overlook such political behavior easily. This adds another layer of strain to the India–U.S. partnership and strengthens the case for reviving ties with Pakistan.
Pakistan–America Ties Do Not Threaten Anyone
It is important to clarify that a renewed Pakistan–America friendship should not be a source of concern for any third country. Our bilateral relations are focused on mutual interests, peace, and prosperity, not confrontation. India need not feel threatened. The partnership between Islamabad and Washington is not designed to harm others but to promote regional stability and global security.
Equally important is the reassurance that strengthening relations with America will not come at the expense of Pakistan’s ties with China. Historically, Pakistan has maintained strong relations with both Washington and Beijing. It was Pakistan that helped facilitate the landmark U.S.–China rapprochement in 1972, proving that Islamabad can play a bridge-building role. Today, Pakistan remains a committed partner of China through projects like the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), while also seeking to restore its traditional friendship with the United States. Balance and complementarity are possible—and desirable.
A Relationship Built on Mutual Interests
The future of Pakistan–America relations must be based on mutual respect and shared objectives. Both nations stand to gain by working together in several areas:
Peace and Stability in South Asia
Pakistan is uniquely positioned to contribute to stability in Afghanistan and the wider region. Cooperation with the U.S. in peace-building, counterterrorism, and humanitarian assistance will serve common interests.
Economic Prosperity
Economic engagement can form the backbone of this revived friendship. Greater trade, investment, and technology transfer can benefit both economies. Pakistan, with its young workforce and strategic location, can offer American companies significant opportunities in energy, IT, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Counterterrorism and Security
Pakistan has consistently fought terrorism at great human and financial cost. Closer intelligence sharing, training programs, and joint initiatives can help ensure regional and global security.
People-to-People Ties
The Pakistani diaspora in the United States plays a vital role in building cultural bridges. Educational exchanges, scholarships, and collaborative research can deepen mutual understanding.
Global Challenges
Climate change, food security, and energy transitions are global issues that demand cooperation. Pakistan, highly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters, can work with the U.S. to develop sustainable solutions.
Learning from the Past, Looking to the Future
For Pakistan, the lesson of history is clear: reliance on any single partner is risky. Diversified and balanced relationships serve our national interest best. By restoring ties with the U.S. while maintaining strong cooperation with China, Pakistan can ensure greater resilience and autonomy.
For America, the lesson is equally clear: sidelining Pakistan has historically produced setbacks, while engaging Pakistan has often brought progress. Whether in the Cold War, the fight against the Soviets in Afghanistan, or counterterrorism efforts after 9/11, Pakistan’s cooperation has been central to American success.
A Spirit of Optimism
The recent meeting between Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif, General Asim Munir, and President Donald Trump should be seen as a new beginning. It reflects a spirit of optimism on both sides and a recognition that past misunderstandings can be overcome through dialogue and cooperation.
For Pakistan, this is an opportunity to present itself as a proactive, peace-loving nation committed to regional stability and global harmony. For the United States, it is a chance to rebuild trust with an old ally and to correct the missteps of past policies that overestimated India’s capacity and underestimated Pakistan’s value.
A Partnership for Peace and Prosperity
The road ahead will require patience, consistency, and sincerity from both sides. But the foundations of Pakistan–America friendship are strong enough to support a revival. This partnership is not about the past alone; it is about building a future grounded in mutual respect, economic cooperation, and shared responsibility for global peace.
Pakistan and the United States have walked together before, through difficult times and historic moments. They can walk together again. By seizing the momentum of this high-level meeting, both nations can restore their traditional friendship, advance their mutual interests, and send a powerful message to the world: that cooperation, not confrontation, remains the most effective path to peace and prosperity.
重振巴美友谊精神
巴基斯坦总理沙赫巴兹·谢里夫和陆军参谋长阿西姆·穆尼尔将军最近与美国总统唐纳德·特朗普举行会晤，标志着巴美关系的一个重要转折点。这不仅仅是又一次外交接触；它提醒人们伊斯兰堡和华盛顿之间深厚的历史伙伴关系，并发出一个信号，表明双方都准备重新找到共同点。对巴基斯坦来说，这是一个加强其作为负责任的地区参与者和可靠盟友作用的机会。对美国来说，现在是认识到巴基斯坦与美国在南亚及其他地区的战略目标持久相关的时刻。
深厚的友谊
要理解这次会议的重要性，我们必须回顾一下巴美关系的发展轨迹。在冷战时期，巴基斯坦坚定地站在美国和西方一边。它在保护美国在该地区的利益方面发挥了关键作用，并确保华盛顿实现了许多战略目标。无论是加入像北约和北约这样的安全联盟，在20世纪70年代充当中美和解的渠道，还是在苏联入侵阿富汗期间支持美国在阿富汗的努力，巴基斯坦始终表现出作为一个值得信赖的盟友的承诺。
这种长期的伙伴关系不是一夜之间建立起来的。它植根于共同的战略关切、相互尊重，以及相信南亚的和平与稳定需要合作。巴基斯坦承担的责任远远超出了它的国土面积，而且往往付出了巨大的牺牲。
漂流时代
然而，随着时间的推移，这种关系开始渐行渐远。华盛顿出现了一种严重向印度倾斜的新说法。当时的假设是，新德里可以作为制衡中国崛起和维护美国在印太地区利益的主要合作伙伴。在这一战略考量中，巴基斯坦经常被边缘化，或者通过阿富汗的棱镜被狭隘地看待。
但历史证明并非如此。尽管印度多年来一直享受着美国的优惠待遇和战略礼遇，但它既没有表现出推进美国目标的能力，也没有表现出政治意愿。这一点在阿富汗表现得最为明显，印度在那里的作用仍然有限，而巴基斯坦则首当其冲地承受着不稳定，收容了数百万阿富汗难民，并在打击恐怖主义的斗争中牺牲了生命和资源。
美国从阿富汗的仓促撤军凸显了其过度依赖印度和冷落巴基斯坦的缺点。没有巴基斯坦的合作，华盛顿就无法实现有序的撤军，也无法实现可持续的和平。
华盛顿的实现
现在，华盛顿越来越认识到，特别是在特朗普政府的领导下，巴基斯坦不仅是相关的，而且是不可或缺的。与印度不同的是，巴基斯坦一再展示其保护美国利益和帮助实现该地区战略目标的能力。从反恐合作到促进和平谈判，巴基斯坦拥有作为稳定伙伴的经验、基础设施和意愿。
特朗普总统承认这一事实是一个值得欢迎的进展。他愿意与巴基斯坦文职和军方领导人直接接触，这强调了一种务实的理解：如果美国寻求南亚的稳定、阿富汗的进步以及与穆斯林世界的建设性接触，就不能忽视巴基斯坦。
印度因素
另一个不容忽视的方面是印度因素。几届美国政府认为，印度可以成为他们对抗中国崛起战略的关键。然而，最近的事件挑战了这一假设。
2025年5月，印度和巴基斯坦之间短暂但激烈的冲突升级说明了问题。尽管印度的军事和经济规模更大，但它很难有效地对抗巴基斯坦。这让人们对印度对抗中国的能力产生了严重怀疑，中国是一个强大得多的大国。如果新德里不能对付伊斯兰堡，它怎么能成为对抗北京的可靠伙伴？
此外，政治现实也很重要。印度总理莫迪在2024年大选期间公开与前总统拜登结盟，甚至发表了反特朗普的言论。这样的立场在华盛顿并没有被忽视。以记忆力强、作风直接著称的特朗普总统不太可能轻易忽视这种政治行为。这给印美关系增加了另一层压力。并加强了恢复与巴基斯坦关系的理由。
巴美关系不会威胁到任何人
重要的是要澄清，重新建立的巴美友谊不应成为任何第三国担忧的根源。我们的双边关系着眼于共同利益、和平与繁荣，而不是对抗。印度不需要感到威胁。伊斯兰堡和华盛顿之间的伙伴关系不是为了伤害他人，而是为了促进地区稳定和全球安全。
同样重要的是保证加强与美国的关系不会以牺牲巴基斯坦与中国的关系为代价。历史上，巴基斯坦与华盛顿和北京都保持着牢固的关系。正是巴基斯坦帮助促进了1972年具有里程碑意义的美中和解，证明了伊斯兰堡可以发挥桥梁作用。今天，巴基斯坦通过中巴经济走廊（CPEC）等项目仍然是中国的忠实伙伴，同时也寻求恢复与美国的传统友谊。平衡和互补是可能的，也是可取的。
建立在共同利益基础上的关系
巴美关系的未来必须建立在相互尊重和共同目标的基础上。两国将通过在以下几个领域的合作而获益：
南亚的和平与稳定
巴基斯坦处于为阿富汗和更广泛地区的稳定作出贡献的独特地位。与美国在和平建设、反恐和人道主义援助方面的合作符合共同利益。
经济繁荣
经济交往可以成为这种复兴的友谊的支柱。扩大贸易、投资和技术转让对两国经济都有利。巴基斯坦拥有年轻的劳动力和战略位置，可以在能源、IT、农业和制造业方面为美国公司提供重要的机会。
反恐与安全
巴基斯坦一直以巨大的人力和财力代价打击恐怖主义。更紧密的情报共享、培训项目和联合倡议有助于确保地区和全球安全。
人民之间的关系
在美国的巴基斯坦侨民在建立文化桥梁方面发挥着至关重要的作用。教育交流、奖学金和合作研究可以加深相互了解。
全球挑战
气候变化、粮食安全和能源转型是需要合作的全球性问题。极易受到气候灾害影响的巴基斯坦可以与美国合作，制定可持续的解决方案。
总结过去，展望未来
对巴基斯坦来说，历史的教训很清楚：依赖任何一个合作伙伴都是有风险的。多元化和平衡的关系最符合我们的国家利益。通过恢复与美国的关系，同时与中国保持强有力的合作，巴基斯坦可以确保更大的弹性和自主权。
对美国来说，教训同样清楚：从历史上看，边缘化巴基斯坦会带来挫折，而与巴基斯坦接触往往会带来进步。无论是在冷战、在阿富汗与苏联作战，还是911事件后的反恐努力中，巴基斯坦的合作都是美国成功的核心。
乐观精神
不久前，巴基斯坦总理沙赫巴兹·谢里夫、阿西姆·穆尼尔将军和美国总统唐纳德·特朗普的会晤应该被视为一个新的开端。它反映了双方的乐观精神，并认识到过去的误解可以通过对话与合作来克服。
对巴基斯坦来说，这是一个展示自己作为一个积极主动、热爱和平、致力于地区稳定与全球和谐的国家的机会。对美国来说，这是一个与老盟友重建信任的机会，也是一个纠正过去政策失误的机会，这些失误高估了印度的能力，低估了巴基斯坦的价值。
面向和平与繁荣的伙伴关系
前方的道路需要双方的耐心、一致性和诚意。但巴美友谊的基础足够牢固，足以支持两国关系的复兴。这种伙伴关系不仅关乎过去；这是建立一个以相互尊重、经济合作和共同承担全球和平责任为基础的未来。
巴基斯坦和美国以前一起走过困难时期和历史性时刻。他们又可以一起走了。通过抓住这次高级别会议的势头，两国可以恢复传统友谊，推进共同利益，并向世界发出一个强有力的信息：合作，而不是对抗，仍然是通往和平与繁荣的最有效途径。
( 注意： 本文是用AI翻译的，或有误差。请以原版英文为准。谢谢。)
Reference Link:- https://thinktank.pk/2025/10/01/reviving-the-spirit-of-pakistan-america-friendship/;