The Middle East is facing uncertainty due to war, and the world stands at a critical crossroads where rising energy supply disruptions and increasing prices are creating instability in global economies. Each passing day is making the crisis more severe. In such a situation, the meeting of foreign ministers of four major Muslim countries hosted by Pakistan is an extraordinary diplomatic development. It has sparked hope for peace at the global level, and the world is now watching Pakistan’s peace efforts closely to see what results they yield.
Pakistan has demonstrated remarkable wisdom and responsibility in the current situation. It has not only maintained balanced relations with Saudi Arabia and Iran but has also accelerated efforts for ceasefire, negotiations, and reconciliation in collaboration with important Islamic countries like Turkey and Egypt, efforts that are proving effective. At the same time, Prime Minister of Pakistan and Field Marshal have used their relations with Donald Trump to establish Pakistan as a country capable of acting as a bridge between global powers. The temporary ceasefire between Iran and United States is also being attributed to Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts.
While the world appreciates Pakistan’s positive role, India appears deeply unhappy with the situation. Pakistan’s mediation at the global level is clearly unsettling for India. This frustration is evident from the statement of Indian Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar, who described Pakistan’s mediating role in the US-Iran ceasefire as “brokerage,” a remark that drew criticism both within India and internationally. Meanwhile, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is facing intense criticism from the opposition and media. They are questioning why Modi visited Israel at such a sensitive time when United States and Israel were preparing for attacking Iran, and why he appeared overly enthusiastic while embracing Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. A video clip of Modi has also gone viral on social media, where he refers to Israel as the “fatherland” and India as the “motherland.” Former Indian diplomat Shashi Tharoor has remarked that forcibly hugging global leaders has brought no benefit, and today India appears increasingly isolated on the global stage. It is to be noted India has long sought to isolate Pakistan globally, but this strategy has not succeeded. On the contrary, Pakistan’s int’l standing has improved, while India appears to be facing isolation and Modi’s style of diplomacy, exaggerated displays of warmth, seems to be failing.
At a time when tensions in the Persian Gulf are at their peak, Pakistan’s top priority is to end the war and establish peace. Pakistan is actively engaged in the region to achieve this goal. Its balanced, responsible, and peace-oriented role is emerging as a positive example not only for the region but for the entire world. The recent foreign ministers’ meeting in Islamabad is part of this ongoing effort. However, Israel is reportedly unhappy with the current situation, as it does not want the Middle East conflict to end. According to reports, Iran’s President was also expected to attend the meeting but could not participate at the last minute due to approval from Revolutionary Guards. Following this, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also canceled his visit to Pakistan. In such circumstances, immediately after the meeting, Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar had to urgently travel to China despite having a fractured arm, in order to brief Chinese leadership and seek their support in persuading the Revolutionary Guards to cooperate. It is important to note that China is also a stakeholder in the current conflict, and the Revolutionary Guards enjoy its full support and respect. The situation demands that the war should not be prolonged, as war is not a solution but rather complicates problems further. The increasing US military presence in the Middle East and the possibility of ground operations are making the situation more dangerous. At any moment, this conflict could escalate into a wider regional war, which may also engulf Pakistan and other Gulf countries.
