Pakistan Gains Diplomatic Ground After India-Pakistan Ceasefire

Pakistan has hosted visits from U.S. President Donald Trump and maintained close coordination with China after a May 2025 ceasefire ended four days of fighting with India. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had stated in September 2016 that India would isolate Pakistan following an attack that killed 18 Indian soldiers.

The May 2025 conflict began after gunmen killed 26 tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir. India conducted strikes inside Pakistan, and both sides reported dozens of deaths. Trump announced the ceasefire on May 10, 2025, stating that talks mediated by the United States had produced an immediate halt to hostilities.

Pakistan’s prime minister, Shehbaz Sharif, publicly thanked Trump for his role in securing the truce. India’s foreign secretary confirmed the ceasefire, but Modi did not comment at the time. Trump later offered to assist with talks on the Kashmir dispute, which India has long described as a bilateral matter.

Modi declined an invitation to meet Trump in Washington in June 2025 and stated that the ceasefire resulted from direct talks between India and Pakistan. Trump has since said on more than 30 occasions that he brokered the agreement and prevented a nuclear conflict.

Kugelman of the Atlantic Council told Al Jazeera that India did not present evidence linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack. He said Pakistan’s reported downing of Indian aircraft received international attention. India’s top general later acknowledged that several fighter jets were lost.

” Sharif also visited Trump at the White House. Pakistan has acted as mediator between the United States and Iran during their ongoing conflict. Trump has praised Pakistani leadership in recent statements. India has continued to describe the Pakistani military as involved in attacks against Indian targets.