Pakistan has reiterated its commitment to diplomacy, regional peace and international cooperation as growing geopolitical tensions and competition among major powers continue to reshape the global order. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, addressing the inaugural session of Margalla Dialogue 2026 in Islamabad on November 10, said Pakistan would continue supporting peaceful engagement while protecting its sovereignty and national interests. The event, organised by the Islamabad Policy Research Institute, brought together national and international experts to discuss the changing international security environment under the theme Global Order in Transition: Navigating Strategic Uncertainty. Dar said the international system was facing mounting pressure from major power rivalries, prolonged conflicts and the weakening of arms control agreements, increasing the risks of confrontation and miscalculation.
Dar maintained that Pakistan’s ability to respond to emerging international challenges depended on domestic strength and effective diplomacy. He described relations with China as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s foreign policy while emphasising the importance of constructive engagement with the United States and expanding cooperation with Saudi Arabia, Turkiye, Iran, Gulf countries, Europe and Central Asia. He also clarified that the Makkah Joint Defence Agreement involving Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkiye was a defensive arrangement intended to strengthen collective security and deterrence rather than target any particular country. Addressing regional challenges, he reiterated Pakistan’s position on the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, calling for a settlement in accordance with United Nations Security Council resolutions. He also warned against attempts to weaponise water and said Pakistan would protect its rights under the Indus Waters Treaty. Terrorism originating from Afghan territory was identified as another major security concern, while Pakistan would continue supporting a peaceful and economically integrated Afghanistan.
The foreign minister also highlighted Pakistan’s diplomatic engagement in the Middle East, particularly its facilitation of talks between the United States and Iran in Islamabad in April. He presented the initiative as an example of Pakistan’s commitment to resolving international disputes through dialogue rather than military confrontation. During a keynote discussion on geopolitics and the realignment of global power, University of Chicago Professor John J. Mearsheimer examined the consequences of the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel. He argued that Washington had underestimated Iran’s position and questioned the strategic calculations behind the decision to enter the conflict. Mearsheimer also described the international system as increasingly multipolar, identifying the United States, China and Russia as its three principal great powers. He said Pakistan occupied an important diplomatic position because it maintained relations with both Washington and Beijing without having to choose between the two. He also stressed that economic development and wealth creation would be important for Pakistan’s efforts to strengthen its position among middle powers.
Middle East scholar Dr Vali Nasr discussed Iran’s response to the conflict and the broader implications of continuing regional instability. He argued that Israel maintained an expansionist agenda and warned that a possible military alignment involving India, the United Arab Emirates and Israel could create additional security concerns for Pakistan. Nasr also observed that American involvement in conflicts involving Iran and Ukraine had affected Washington’s military priorities in East Asia, potentially influencing how regional allies assess their long-standing security arrangements with the United States. Former US diplomat Robin Raphel, meanwhile, highlighted concerns surrounding Iran’s possible withdrawal from the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, warning that such a move could encourage other countries to reconsider their participation in the international nuclear framework. Her remarks reflected wider concerns about the future of arms control and international security arrangements as diplomatic disagreements continue to intensify.
Former senator Mushahid Hussain Syed also addressed the changing dynamics of international politics, suggesting that the conflict involving Iran had influenced political developments in the United States. Discussions throughout Margalla Dialogue 2026 highlighted the growing importance of diplomatic engagement as countries navigate competing strategic interests, regional conflicts and changing global alliances. For Pakistan, the discussions reinforced the importance of maintaining working relationships with major powers while pursuing economic stability, regional cooperation and national security. Dar’s address placed diplomacy at the centre of Pakistan’s response to international uncertainty, emphasising that the country would continue advocating dialogue and peaceful conflict resolution while defending its territorial integrity and strategic interests.
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