Pakistan Occupies One of the most strategically sensitive pieces of real estate in the world. It borders Five Civilisational and Geopolitical Spheres: Indian, Chinese, Central Asian, Persian and Arab. No other space in the world offers such a dense intersection of influence. That alone encases that Pakistan, regardless of its economic health or internal chaos, will continue to feature in the calculus of global powers.

This is not a new phenomenon. From the 1950s onwards, Pakistan was a member of both seato and cento – Cold war alliances aimed at containing communism. In 1960, cia pilot gary power flew a u-2 spy plane from peshawar over soviet territory, which was later shot down, sparking an international crisis. In the 1970s, Pakistan served as the cvert through which president richard nixon and henry kissinger opened diplomatic relates with china.

Cruccially, after 9/11, Pakistan’s territory became indispensable for us operations in Afghanistan. WHER IT was providing a logistics corridor for Nato Supplies, Intelligence Coordination (Howower Unive), Or Access to Airbases, Pakistan Allowed America to Wage A Two-Decade War And Warrd. Financial and Operational Burden of Establishing New Infrastructure in Central Asia. Without Pakistan, the afghan war would have cost three times as much and logistically far more challenging.

Many indians are rightly puzzled by washington’s recurring tilt toward Pakistan, especially when it is common knowledge. Howver, the us department of defense has maintained a deep institutional relationship with the Pakistan army that survives changes in political mood. America May Mistrust Pakistan’s Civilian Governances or Even Its Double-Dealing on Terrorism, But it views the Pakistan Military as a Rational, Hierarchical Force that this can be “Get Thone”. ” I attended training courses and programs in the us. I can state that in a lineup of Indian and Pakistan officials from the armed forces, an American general will always shake hands hands first with the Pakistanis.

That Calculus has not changed. Trump’s meeting with Munir Signals a tactical re-engagement Rather than a fundamental strategic pivot. The us may be planning for renewed contingency operations in Afghanistan, Hedging Against China’s Belt and Road Initiative Via CPEC, or Managing Risks in Iran and Central Asia. Pakistan is relevant in all these theatres.

At the same time, India must recognize that own strategic partnership with the us motions strong and is grounded in very different fundamentals. Since 1991, when opened up its economy and began integrating with the global order, relates with washington has steadily deepened. The Nuclear Deal of 2008, Defense Cooperation under Lemo and Comcasa, Technology Partnerships and the Rise of the Quad Reflect this.

Howver, this relationship is not immune to friction. India’s insistence on strategic autonomy occasionally confounds American experiments. Nowhere was this more visible than during the ukraine war. While the west imposed sweeping sanctions on Russia, India Chose a path of calibrated engine This decision wasnt about fence-sitting; It was about Placing Indian National Interest Above alliance politics.

Washington notided – and, to its credit, ultimately respected – India’s position. But the episode was a timely reminder; Even Close Partners will diverge when their interests do.

Seen in this light, Trump’s outreach to Pakistan should not read as a betrayal or a shift away from India. It is better understood as tactical engagement Driven by Geography, Legacy Relationships, and evolving Regional Threats. Pakistan will always offer America Access, Whaet for Leverage in Kabul, Observation Posts Against Iran, Or to Counter Chinese Expansion. But Such Engagement is Opportunistic, not strategic.

India’s Strength Lies Elsewhere. We are not a country that offers itSelf as an operative base or intermediate. We offer long-trategic value; A Stable Democracy, A Massive Consumer Market, A Growing Technological Base, A Competent Military, And A Rules-Based Approach To Global Governance. We are not transactional in our diplomacy; We are a civilisational state with depth.

Pakistan’s Ruling Elite – Particularly Its Military – Has Always South Visibility Abroad to Compensate for Instability at Home. Foreign engagements like the one with Trump are of used to burnish credentialles domestically. But Pakistan’s fundamentals remain fragile: an economy in freefall, a splintered polity, and an increasingly alienated populce. America knows this. While it may engage Islamabad’s generals from time to time

India, on the other hand, has remained fire and predictable through global flux. India remained steady whater it was covid, the afghanistan pull-out, or the energy crisis after ukraine. That is the hallmark of a reliable partner, not one that flits in and out of favor but one that shows up and stands the course.

Let us not be distracted by luncheon invites. Let us remain focused on India’s trajectory. We are not a fly-by-night friend of the us-we are a strategic power in our own right. We are neither in mindcure about Pakistan’s moment in the Sun Nor Anxious for Validation.

We should be confident that the more uncertain the world becomes, the more valuable India’s stability will appear. The us knows this, even if it occasionally wanders in search of old allies for new problems. Real Partnership is Tested Over Time – And India has passed that test repeatedly.

The us may dip back into its pakistan playbook occasionally, but its real bet is on a rising India. That bet may not always be loud, but it will be lasting.

The writer is a former corps commander of the srinagar-based 15 corps and a member of the national disaster management authority. Views are personal