In the tense aftermath of the 2025 India-Pakistan conflict, Pakistan has not only proven its mettle on the battlefield but has also outshone India in the diplomatic arena, particularly in Russia and the United States. Sparked by a terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir on April 22, 2025, which killed 26 civilians, India’s aggressive military response escalated tensions, pushing the region toward war. Pakistan, however, countered with restraint and strategic diplomacy, positioning itself as a champion of peace.
Pakistan’s Battlefield Prowess: A Foundation for Diplomacy
The conflict erupted when India, attributing the Kashmir attack to Pakistan-based Lashkar-e-Taiba, launched missile strikes on May 7, 2025, targeting alleged terrorist sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-administered Kashmir. Pakistan’s military response was precise and effective, leveraging advanced Chinese-supplied PL-15 missiles and Paksat-1R satellite intelligence to neutralize Indian drones and disrupt India’s S-400 radar systems at Udhampur (Medium). Pakistan debunked India’s exaggerated claims of capturing Lahore or downing Pakistani jets, exposing Indian media’s misinformation and bolstering its credibility (Medium). By May 10, 2025, a US-brokered ceasefire halted hostilities, with Pakistan’s military emerging stronger for its disciplined defense (Reuters).
Pakistan’s restraint—avoiding deep escalation despite India’s provocations—set the stage for its diplomatic offensive, framing it as a responsible actor committed to stability.
Diplomatic Mastery: Pakistan’s Global Outreach
Pakistan’s diplomatic strategy in 2025 has been a triumph of narrative-building, contrasting sharply with India’s aggressive posturing. High-level delegations led by former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari visited key capitals, including Moscow and Washington, to present Pakistan’s perspective on the conflict (Indian Express).
Russia: Aligning with Pakistan’s Peace Narrative
On June 2, 2025, a Pakistani delegation led by Special Assistant to the Prime Minister Syed Tariq Fatemi visited Moscow, securing Russia’s support for Pakistan’s call for de-escalation and an independent investigation into the Kashmir attack (Indian Express). Russia, increasingly wary of India’s alignment with the US through the Quad, endorsed Pakistan’s stance, emphasizing regional stability (GZERO Media). This marked a shift from Russia’s historical neutrality in India-Pakistan conflicts, reflecting Moscow’s strategic pivot toward Islamabad as a counterbalance to India’s Western tilt (The Wire).
India’s delegation, led by Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, visited Moscow around the same time but failed to gain traction. India’s refusal to honor the Indus Waters Treaty and its belligerent rhetoric alienated Russian diplomats, who saw India’s actions as destabilizing (The Wire). Russia’s support for Pakistan underscores its preference for a partner advocating peace over conflict.
United States: Pakistan’s Diplomatic Breakthrough
In Washington, Pakistan’s delegation, led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, arrived on June 2, 2025, to push for international support following the conflict (Hindustan Times). Despite a tense moment at the UN where Bilawal faced scrutiny over unsubstantiated claims about India’s treatment of Muslims, Pakistan’s broader narrative of restraint resonated (Hindustan Times). The US, through Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s intensive diplomacy from May 6–10, 2025, praised Pakistan’s willingness to engage in dialogue, facilitating the ceasefire (Reuters). President Trump’s announcement of the truce highlighted Pakistan’s cooperative stance, with the US offering trade incentives to both nations to maintain peace (The New York Times).
India’s delegation, led by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, struggled to shift the narrative. India’s insistence on labeling Pakistan as a terrorism sponsor, coupled with unverified claims of military victories, failed to convince US policymakers, who maintained a neutral stance (Asia Times). Indian media’s false reports, such as downing Pakistani jets, further eroded credibility, with analysts like John Mearsheimer emphasizing Pakistan’s nuclear deterrent as a stabilizing factor (Reason).
Pakistan vs. India: A Diplomatic Comparison
Pakistan’s diplomatic approach outshone India’s due to several factors:
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Strategic Messaging: Pakistan framed itself as a peace advocate, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif publicly committing to dialogue (Reuters). Bilawal’s leadership emphasized de-escalation, contrasting with India’s aggressive rhetoric under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who threatened further strikes (Reuters).
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Allied Support: Pakistan leveraged strong ties with China, Russia, Turkey, and Saudi Arabia. China’s backing through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor and Russia’s endorsement in Moscow strengthened Pakistan’s position (GZERO Media). India, despite its Quad alignment, faced skepticism from Russia and neutral US responses (The Wire).
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Media Management: Pakistan effectively countered Indian disinformation, using satellite imagery to debunk false claims (Medium). India’s media, however, faced backlash for fabricated stories, undermining its global credibility (The Guardian).
India’s diplomatic efforts faltered due to:
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Aggressive Posturing: Modi’s threats of targeting “terrorist hideouts” and rejecting dialogue alienated potential allies (Reuters).
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Misinformation: Indian claims of military victories were debunked, damaging credibility (Medium).
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Domestic Criticism: India’s capitulation to US pressure drew domestic backlash, weakening its global image (The New York Times).
Russia and US Support for Pakistan’s Peace Agenda
Russia’s backing in June 2025 reflects its strategic interest in countering India’s US alignment, with Moscow endorsing Pakistan’s call for a neutral investigation into the Kashmir attack (Indian Express). The US, acting as a neutral mediator, facilitated the ceasefire through Rubio’s diplomacy and recognized Pakistan’s restraint, offering trade incentives to sustain peace (The New York Times). This contrasts with India’s failure to secure firm US support, as Washington prioritized regional stability over India’s terrorism narrative (Reason).
A New Narrative: Pakistan’s Vision for Peace
Pakistan’s diplomatic success extends beyond Russia and the US. Its outreach to London and Brussels, led by Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, further amplified its peace narrative (Indian Express). By contrast, India’s global trips, such as to Qatar, focused on blaming Pakistan, failing to shift international opinion (Al Jazeera). Pakistan’s ability to rally allies like China and Turkey, combined with its effective media strategy, has redefined the conflict’s narrative, positioning Islamabad as a stabilizing force.
Pakistan’s Dual Triumph
Pakistan’s 2025 performance, both on the battlefield and in diplomatic halls, marks a pivotal moment. Its military resilience, coupled with a sophisticated diplomatic campaign led by figures like Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, has cemented its image as a peace-seeking nation. Russia’s support and US mediation have validated Pakistan’s approach, while India’s aggressive tactics and diplomatic missteps have cost it global goodwill. As Pakistan continues to leverage its alliances and narrative of restraint, it emerges as the true victor in this chapter of South Asian geopolitics.
