Pakistan Eyes G20 Seat as Diplomatic Engagements Grow in Southeast Asia
July 11, 2025
Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar made headlines on Friday with a pointed message: the ceasefire between Pakistan and India may be holding on the ground, but India’s political leadership, he claimed, is finding it difficult to come to terms with the outcome of the recent conflict.
“Militarily, the ceasefire is intact. Our communication lines are stable. But the real problem is on the Indian side — their political leadership is still grappling with the fact that they had to ask for a ceasefire,” Dar said during a speech at the Pakistan High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, on the sidelines of the 32nd ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
The four-day conflict that erupted in April — involving missile strikes, drone warfare, and intense artillery fire — marked the most serious escalation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors in decades. While both sides have kept operational details under wraps, Dar offered a rare, candid account.
“India started the war — and they ended it by calling for a ceasefire. At exactly 8:15 in the morning, the U.S. Secretary of State phoned us to say India wants to halt the fighting,” he told an audience of diplomats, academics, and Pakistani expatriates.
Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos and India’s ‘Isolation’
Dar also revealed new details of Pakistan’s military response, known as Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, saying the Pakistan Air Force shot down six Indian warplanes, including four Rafale fighter jets — a claim that has not been independently verified.
He went on to condemn India’s recent suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, calling it an “irresponsible and provocative move.”
“India cannot block our water — not legally, not physically. They may want to play politics with rivers, but the international community is watching. And frankly, India is becoming more isolated because of its aggressive posturing,” he said.
A Moment of Economic Optimism
Switching gears to economic matters, Dar struck a notably optimistic tone, declaring that Pakistan had achieved what he called an “economic take-off,” despite turbulent global conditions.
“Our goal now is G20 membership,” he announced. “We’ve stabilized, and we’re building. Pakistan is ready to be part of the world’s premier economic forum.”
The statement comes as Pakistan navigates a tough economic recovery, but with renewed confidence following a series of foreign investment commitments and structural reforms.
Strengthening Ties in Southeast Asia
Earlier in the day, Dar held a bilateral meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The two leaders discussed trade, investment, and regional cooperation — with Dar delivering personal greetings from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Dar also commended Malaysia’s upcoming role as ASEAN Chair in 2025, calling it “an opportunity for visionary leadership in a divided world.”
In return, PM Anwar said he looked forward to hosting PM Shehbaz Sharif in Kuala Lumpur later this year. The meeting built on the momentum from Anwar’s previous visit to Islamabad, where both sides agreed to deepen economic and strategic ties.
ASEAN Regional Forum: A Platform for Peace
Dar’s presence in Kuala Lumpur is part of Pakistan’s growing engagement with ASEAN — a bloc it sees as vital for peace and multilateral cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.
The ASEAN Regional Forum brings together foreign ministers from 27 member countries, along with the ASEAN Secretary-General, to discuss key security challenges ranging from maritime disputes to emerging technologies and counterterrorism.
For Pakistan, ARF is more than just diplomacy — it’s a chance to present itself as a responsible regional player and a potential bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia.
During his stay, Dar is also expected to engage with members of the Pakistani community in Malaysia, a vital diaspora contributing both economically and diplomatically to Pakistan’s regional outreach.
