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Monday, February 23, 2026
TopicUS-Pakistan

Topic: US-Pakistan

Pakistan treated ‘worse than toilet paper’—Khawaja Asif calls post-1999 US alliance a ‘historic error’

Pakistan defence minister dwells on Islamabad’s role in Soviet-Afghan war & then siding with US against Taliban in ‘war on terror’, linking it with existing extremism, economic woes.

US voices support for Pakistan, backs ‘efforts to hold Balochistan attackers accountable’

Baloch Liberation Army launched coordinated assaults across 12 districts in Jan-end, while Pakistan intensified ops against the separatist militants, accusing India of external support.

Pakistan accepts Trump’s invitation to join ‘Board of Peace’ on Gaza, aims to play ‘constructive role’ 

Hungary, Israel & UAE have already accepted invitation to join the board, part of Trump's Gaza peace plan. It's not immediately clear if Pakistan will pay $1 bn membership fee.

Pakistan will regret letting the Army back in

While the "establishment" has enjoyed a large share of power, last week's constitutional amendments gave Army chief Asim Munir additional powers and lifelong immunity from prosecution.

Pakistan is thrilled with Trump’s embrace. No one’s asking what does US want

The happy and excited Pakistanis should now begin to look at another dark era of authoritarian rule worse than what they experienced under Zia.

Something’s hidden in the Oval Office photo of Trump, Munir, Sharif. India must look closely

What Munir has achieved with Trump is a return to normal, ironing out the post-Abbottabad crease. The White House picture gives us insight into how Pakistan survives, occasionally thrives and thinks.

US officials know that New Delhi can’t be coerced. India thinks it’s an equal partner

For all the various formats of bilateral dialogue, the India-US relationship never developed an institutional framework that could have prevented a free fall under circumstances like the current ones.

Nobel committee, note how Trump allowed Munir to make nuclear threat against India from US soil

So far, India has responded to his threats with a measured, diplomatic, strategic, and multi-dimensional approach. Now, it needs to react firmly.

India-US defence ties remain active, 2+2 inter-sessional meet expected later this month, says MEA

Ties between India and the US have hit a rough patch, with President Donald J. Trump taking aim at New Delhi’s continuing trade with Russia. Trump has described India as a ‘dead economy’.

Curious Trump ‘affair’ with Pakistan & possible patch-up with India, & Amitav Ghosh’s secret manuscript

FT underlines ‘lack of innovation’ in India while BBC reports how Mamta Pathak, a 63-year-old chemistry teacher accused of killing her husband, defended herself in court. 

On Camera

Nick Jonas wearing a mangalsutra is validation for many Indians. He’s our favourite jiju

Nick Jonas is not trying to modernise the mangalsutra, but his gesture shows that choices can be equal. If commitment must be flaunted, it need not be gendered.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

Suspected brake failure leads to Tejas accident after landing, airframe likely to be written off

The IAF, so far, remains mum on this accident which has led to grounding of the fleet for safety checks.

No country is ever fully sovereign. Cold War era taught India its real meaning

India’s fraught neighbourhood places multiple constraints on its strategic choices. It leaves no time to take a deep breath, lean back and reset.