NEW DELHI: Former chief of India’s external intelligence agency, the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW), Amarjit Singh Dulat, has conceded that New Delhi failed to diplomatically isolate Pakistan despite years of sustained efforts, international lobbying, and a consistent terrorism-related narrative against Islamabad.
In an interview with a British news outlet, Dulat said India had consistently pursued a strategy aimed at portraying Pakistan negatively on the global stage through terrorism-related allegations, but the campaign did not achieve the desired outcome.
According to the former intelligence chief, India utilised diplomatic channels, international influence and proxy networks in an attempt to marginalise Pakistan internationally, yet Islamabad continued to maintain and expand its diplomatic engagement.
Relations between the two nuclear-armed neighbours have remained tense in recent years, with formal dialogue largely suspended and repeated military flare-ups along the border contributing to regional instability.
The tensions escalated sharply during the 87-hour conflict in May 2025, when Pakistan downed eight Indian fighter jets — four French-made Rafale, one Su-30 aircraft, one MiG-29 aircraft, one Mirage 2000 aircraft, and one “expensive” multi-role unmanned aerial system — as well as dozens of drones.
The war between the two nuclear-armed nations ended on May 10 with a ceasefire agreement brokered by the United States on India’s request. Following the military conflict, Pakistan emerged as a regional stabilisation force, acting as a mediator between the United States and Iran — managing to secure a 14-day fragile ceasefire, which was eventually extended.
Dulat remarked that a long-held perception within India that Pakistan could eventually fragment or collapse was unrealistic, stressing that the country would not disintegrate.
He further suggested that the current regional environment indicated India itself was increasingly facing diplomatic and political isolation.
Speaking about Pakistan’s military leadership, Dulat said Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir had gained growing international attention and recognition in recent months.
He also referred to remarks attributed to US President Donald Trump, saying the American leader had spoken positively about Field Marshal Munir following diplomatic developments in the region.
He further stated that the US president had referred to Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as his “favourite field marshal”. Trump has time and again praised Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and CDF Syed Asim Munir after the ceasefire was brokered, and Pakistan hosted negotiations between the US and Iran.
Pakistan’s role in facilitating dialogue between the United States and Iran after the conflict also contributed to improving its international standing, Dulat said, describing Islamabad’s diplomacy as balanced, active and responsible.
Commenting on Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the former RAW chief said an often-overlooked aspect of the dispute was the continuing sense of uncertainty, unrest and deprivation among the local population.
