A recent development on the diplomatic front appears to have turned the tide against India’s ongoing efforts to dominate the South Asian region. Pakistan, through what insiders are calling a “quiet but calculated” diplomatic offensive, has managed to halt one of India’s latest moves aimed at expanding its influence in the region.
According to senior Foreign Office sources in Islamabad, Indian officials had been working behind the scenes to push certain initiatives through regional and international platforms — part of a broader effort to reinforce India’s image as the leading power in South Asia. But Pakistan, through backdoor diplomacy and targeted lobbying, managed to block the move before it could gain ground.
“This wasn’t something we could let slide,” a senior Pakistani official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. “It was another attempt to sideline Pakistan and build India’s image as a sole representative of the region. We engaged early and we engaged smartly.”
According to officials familiar with the situation, the move to counter India’s narrative did not occur overnight. Rather, for months, Pakistani diplomats have been wooing their counterparts from a variety of states – especially those in the Global South and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), as well as regional partners with concerns regarding India’s increasingly aggressive policies – especially in Indian-held Kashmir.
As India increasingly tries to act as a regional power broker, its pushback has come not only from Pakistan but also from other neighbouring countries who are less than comfortable with New Delhi’s aspirations. While some states may not have spoken on record, officials say that Pakistan’s more aggressive position encouraged many of the quieter players in the region.
“This isn’t about rivalry,” another diplomat in Islamabad said. “It’s about balance. No country should be allowed to shape the regional narrative unilaterally.”
Observers note that India’s regional designs have long included attempts to corner Pakistan diplomatically, often by promoting trade initiatives or leveraging its economic weight to sway smaller nations. But this latest setback — details of which remain confidential — has sent a clear message that Pakistan will not allow its voice to be drowned out.
Sources say the Foreign Office is preparing to take up similar issues in upcoming multilateral forums, including the UN General Assembly. The goal, they say, is to ensure that Pakistan’s position remains visible and unshakable amid shifting regional alliances.
As of now, officials believe the momentum is on Pakistan’s side — but they’re not letting their guard down.
