Aftermath of Marka-E-Haq: Pakistan’s Global Rise, India’s Exclusion

From the beginning of the conflict, India had aimed to isolate Pakistan on the global stage and tried to villainize it by creating narratives that it was a safe haven for terrorists. They saw an easy target in Pakistan and relied too much on its own numerical and economic superiority. Banyan-Al-Marsoos shattered their delusions and laid bare in front of the world the deceptive and dirty politics of the extremist BJP government of India.

Recognition in the Muslim World

With the highly professional execution of Pakistan’s retaliation to India’s unprovoked attack, it secured considerable rapport amongst the Islamic states. Some of the notable Islamic countries that provided diplomatic support were Turkey, whose President Erdogan spoke up in Pakistan’s favor at the UN as well as OIC forums, and reiterated that ties with India will not be normalized during the conflict.

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Azerbaijan also expressed its solidarity with Islamabad. Through its success on the military front, Pakistan was able to enhance its diplomatic credibility among the Gulf nations, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states have had similar ties with both India and Pakistan; however, the May 2025 conflict brought about a shift in the Gulf’s diplomatic relations with these countries. UAE, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia took steps to mediate and call for de-escalation amidst the conflict. During Pakistan’s visit to Saudi Arabia in June 2025, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif thanked the Saudi Crown Prince, Mohammed bin Salman, and reiterated Pakistan’s commitment to stable relations and regional peace.

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The Gulf has shifted significantly towards Pakistan on the diplomatic front due to its transparency and the region’s growing interest in energy and investment projects with Islamabad. A Joint Action Plan for Strategic Dialogue has also been signed by Pakistan and the GCC, which establishes Pakistan not only as a military partner but also as a potential key player in projects related to energy, trade, and investment.

Diplomatic Fallout of India

India had miscalculated the fallout of their deceptive and baseless reporting and war-mongering that was duly exposed by Pakistan’s cyber warfare. With independent and world-renowned sources and media houses asking India the tough questions and reaffirming Pakistani claims, they had few diplomatic cards to play. India also lost key allies in Turkey and Bangladesh, who sided with Pakistan. Bangladesh’s new interim government has encouraged trade and eased travel barriers, while also initiating talks on military cooperation, marking a significant shift from its pro-India past.

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Pakistan’s diplomatic outlook post-conflict became a combination of soft and hard power. Its nuclear deterrence capability, paired with a restrained but disciplined use of force that was precise but befitting, raised its status as a responsible regional force. When juxtaposed with India’s aggressive hate campaigns and emotionally charged rhetoric, Pakistan appeared practically sound and morally robust. Its transparency regarding details of its military retaliation and welcoming behavior towards independent fact-checkers made Pakistan’s narrative more credible and robust on global forums. 

Pakistan’s Win at RIAT 2025 

Pakistan Air Force sent its team to show at RIAT 2025, the UK’s prestigious Royal International Air Tattoo. Not only did PAF put an excellent show but also earned two top honors namely the Spirit of the Meet Trophy for the JF-17 Thunder Block III and the Concours d’Elegance Trophy for a meticulously presented C-130 Hercules that was dubbed “Eyes in the Skies” India was notably absent from this event despite having some of the most sophisticated aircrafts in its fleet. This international recognition came shortly after Pakistan’s record-setting dogfight earlier in its conflict with India and the downing of the infamous Rafale jets. Pakistan’s loud presence and India’s deafening absence at RIAT 2025 is a stage for the reversal of pre-conflict global positioning for Pakistan and India.

Pakistan Shakes Up the Aviation Market

Wars are fought as much between the military technology and equipment of two countries as it is amongst soldiers, and especially so in the modern era. Dassault Aviation, the French company that manufactures Rafales, saw a sharp decline of 7-9% in its share price when news spread that Pakistan had downed its jets. In contrast, Chengdu Aircraft Corporation, the co-developer of the JF-17 Thunder, saw a 40-60% surge in Chinese markets within days of the conflict. 

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Pakistan confirmed that it is always the skill of the person operating the machine that determines the outcome in a conflict and not the machine itself. The PAF increased the prestige of the JF-17s and J-10Cs, elevating their market position.

With the culmination of Operation Banyan Al Marsoos, Pakistan not only retaliated but also delivered a befitting diplomatic response to India, thereby shaking up the power dynamics of the subcontinent. By establishing itself as a responsible regional nuclear power, Pakistan sent a message to India and the world that no misadventure on its soil or a violation of its sovereignty will be tolerated. Pakistan’s hesitance towards escalating conflicts must not be seen as a weakness, but rather as its avoidance of disrupting peace.