From Munir to Zaheer Babar: Pakistan and US Reset Military Ties Amid Strategic Shifts

    image credit :Reuters

New Delhi, 3 July 2025 – A decade-long diplomatic silence between the United States and Pakistan appears to be softening, as evidenced by recent high-level military visits. Just weeks after Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, made headlines with his high-profile visit to Washington D.C., Pakistan Air Force (PAF) Chief Zaheer Ahmed Baber Sidhu followed suit, visiting the U.S. for the first time in 10 years. These developments come in the wake of Operation Sindoor and represent a significant shift in South Asia’s strategic balance.

A Renewed Chapter in U.S.-Pakistan Defence Cooperation

Air Chief Zaheer Babar's visit marks an important milestone in reviving Pakistan’s military diplomacy with the United States. The back-to-back visits of Pakistan’s top military brass to Washington, especially after a prolonged lull, suggest that both nations are re-examining their strategic calculus in the evolving geopolitical climate.

Field Marshal Asim Munir’s warm reception at the White House by U.S. President Donald Trump, including a rare two-hour luncheon meeting, was followed shortly by Pakistan nominating Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize—on the eve of American strikes on key Iranian nuclear sites. While the gesture raised eyebrows, it emphasized Islamabad’s keenness to reinvigorate its relationship with Washington.

Post-Operation Sindoor Reset: Strategic Necessity or Tactical Alignment?

The recent reset in U.S.-Pakistan military ties coincides with heightened tensions in South Asia, particularly following Operation Sindoor, in which India launched precision strikes on terrorist infrastructures in Bahawalpur and Muridke—long-standing safe havens for groups like Jaish-e-Mohammad and Lashkar-e-Taiba.

These strikes reasserted India's proactive counterterrorism posture. In contrast, Pakistan’s increased engagement with the U.S. appears to be a diplomatic counterbalance, seeking international legitimacy and possibly hedge support amid growing isolation on the global stage.

Historical Foundations: An Uneven Yet Enduring Alliance

The roots of U.S.-Pakistan defence ties date back to the early Cold War. By 1954, both nations had signed the Mutual Defence Assistance Agreement. Pakistan then joined strategic alliances like SEATO (Southeast Asia Treaty Organization) and CENTO (Central Treaty Organization), aligning itself with the Western bloc.

During this era, U.S. military aid flowed freely, with Pakistan receiving over $2 billion between 1953 and 1961, a quarter of it devoted to military assistance. In 1970, President Nixon even bypassed arms restrictions to facilitate a military transfer to Islamabad—rewarding Pakistan’s role in enabling the U.S. rapprochement with China.

Afghanistan and the War on Terror: A Tactical Alliance Rekindled

In the post-9/11 world, U.S. strategic interests saw Pakistan regain favor. As a frontline ally in the Global War on Terror, Islamabad provided logistics, airbases, and ground intelligence crucial for U.S. operations in Afghanistan. In return, the U.S. designated Pakistan a Major Non-NATO Ally in 2004.

The collaboration yielded tangible rewards. Pakistan received 36 new F-16 C/D fighter jets, upgrades for previous models, precision-guided munitions, and over $34 billion in aid between 2002 and 2020. This included $23 billion in security assistance and $14.5 billion through the Coalition Support Fund (CSF), reimbursing Pakistan for hosting U.S. forces.

Breakdowns and Resumptions: Aid Suspensions and Strategic Recalculations

Despite the generous aid packages, relations soured during Trump’s first term. In 2018, Trump suspended CSF support and criticized Pakistan for harboring terrorists. This froze defence ties temporarily. However, under the Biden administration, $450 million was allocated in 2022 to maintain Pakistan’s F-16 fleet.

Interestingly, in early 2025, Trump—despite his earlier anti-aid stance—approved another $397 million under a residual clause from Biden’s aid plan, again for F-16 maintenance. This act signaled a subtle but significant shift in Washington’s posture toward Islamabad.

India’s Strategic Perspective: Detachment from the Third-Party Paradigm

Amid these developments, Indian External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar offered a composed response. When asked about the resurgence of U.S.-Pakistan military engagement, Jaishankar emphasized that India’s relationship with the U.S. is bilateral and not influenced by third countries.

“The central factor in the relationship between India and the United States is India and the United States. It is our complementarity and mutual benefit that drive the relationship. It is not forged in terms of third countries,” said Dr. Jaishankar during a press conference.

This signals New Delhi’s confidence in its own strategic equation with Washington, independent of Islamabad’s maneuvers.

Pakistan’s Re-Emergence: A Calculated Realignment

Pakistan’s reintegration into America’s military orbit is not just symbolic. CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla recently referred to Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner in countering terrorism” before the U.S. House Armed Services Committee. He hinted at leveraging partnerships with both India and Pakistan to protect U.S. interests in South Asia.

This evolving strategy raises important questions for regional diplomacy. Will Washington’s balancing act between India and Pakistan prove sustainable? And can Pakistan leverage its renewed proximity to the U.S. to counterbalance India’s growing global stature?

Conclusion: Old Partners, New Calculations

The diplomatic choreography between Pakistan’s military elite and U.S. officials illustrates a nuanced recalibration. While the historical ties between the two countries have fluctuated over decades—from Cold War camaraderie to 9/11-driven cooperation, and later, periods of estrangement—the current reset seems to be driven by shared tactical interests amid regional instability.

Pakistan is keen to reposition itself as an indispensable security partner to the U.S. once again. Whether this will yield lasting strategic benefits or remain a short-term convenience remains to be seen. However, one thing is certain: the geopolitical chessboard of South Asia is being reconfigured, and military diplomacy will be at the heart of these new alignments.

Written by Defence Expert