AT PENPOINT
Among the most potent symbols of how Pakistan’s profile has changed to the rest of the world since the clash with India over Pehelgam, have been the visit to the USA of Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, to China of Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir, and then his hosting the Regional Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference in Islamabad.
They also symbolize the care with which Pakistan is treading the fissure line between the USA and China, as it tries to ensure that it remains on the right side of both. It should not be ignored that Field Marshal Asim figures in all three interactions, in the last two directly, and earlier in Washington to pave the way for Mr Dar. It is also worth noting that while Field Marshal Munir met US President Donald Trump on his visit, Mr Dar did not go beyond a meeting with Secretary of State Mark Rubio.
In a way, the Islamabad conference was very important. Military conversations can assume great significance. The most prominent example is that of the pre-World War I military conversations between the French and British general staffs, which led to a British Expeditionary Force of six infant
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