The American newspaper The Washington Times, commenting on Pak-US ties, has stated that 2025 has been a year of revolutionary change in the bilateral relationship.
In its commentary, the Washington Times wrote that this year, Washington’s “India First” era came to an end, and Pakistan gained prominence.
According to the newspaper, the foundation of this US policy shift was the Pakistan-India war in May.
Opinion | Trump’s surprising policy turn on Pakistan @WashTimesOpEdhttps://t.co/4PMdnjM16m pic.twitter.com/EpG8fehINa
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) December 22, 2025
The Washington Times article also includes a special analysis of the relationship between Field Marshal Asim Munir and US President Donald Trump.
Field Marshal Asim Munir is a great fighter, says Donald Trump
According to the newspaper, Pakistan has transformed from a “pariah state” into a partner nation, with Pakistan now declared a central pillar of Trump’s South Asia policy.
The report notes that initially, there was a mindset to grant India dominance through QUAD and other forums, with expectations that Islamabad would be sidelined.
However, India’s internal political situation, restrictions on personal freedoms, inconsistent military performance, and diplomatic rigidity cast doubt on India’s role as a regional stabilizer.
According to the newspaper, Donald Trump’s unexpected praise of Pakistan during a speech in March shifted the policy direction in Washington.
Without US Intervention, Pakistan-India war could have been devastating: Donald Trump
Islamabad immediately capitalized on the opportunity, and every instance of limited cooperation began turning into unexpected strategic credit.
The Washington Times further states that the decisive turning point in Pak-US relations was the brief but intense Pakistan-India skirmish in May, where Pakistan’s military performance reportedly surprised President Trump.
