In a stunning admission that dismantles a core tenet of New Delhi’s foreign policy, former Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) chief Amarjit Singh Dulat has conceded that India’s protracted campaign to diplomatically isolate Pakistan has ended in failure. Speaking to a British news channel, the ex-spymaster delivered a sobering assessment of India’s strategic position, acknowledging that despite deploying extensive international lobbying and proxy channels, the objective was never achieved.
A Crumbling Narrative
Dulat’s remarks represent a significant blow to the official Indian narrative, which has long centered on branding its neighbor as a pariah state. He stated bluntly that India had attempted to isolate Pakistan globally “since the beginning” but failed to meet the objective. The acknowledgment comes at a time of frozen bilateral relations, punctuated by a brief but intense 87-hour military conflict in May 2025.
During that conflict, Pakistan’s military demonstrated formidable defensive capabilities, downing eight Indian fighter jets, including four French-made Rafales, a Su-30, a MiG-29, a Mirage 2000, and a high-value unmanned aerial system, along with dozens of drones. The short war, which ended with a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10, dramatically reshaped regional perceptions of power.
Pakistan’s Rising Diplomatic Star
Rather than facing isolation, Pakistan emerged from the crisis as a pivotal regional stabilization force. Islamabad successfully positioned itself as an indispensable mediator between Washington and Tehran, securing a fragile 14-day ceasefire that was later extended. Dulat noted that this balanced and responsible diplomatic engagement has tangibly strengthened Pakistan’s standing in the international community.
“The prevailing regional situation suggested that India itself was increasingly facing diplomatic and political isolation,” Dulat observed, flipping the script on New Delhi’s long-held assumptions.
The Myth of Disintegration
Perhaps the most pointed critique was reserved for a persistent belief within India’s strategic community. Dulat dismissed the notion that Pakistan would eventually disintegrate as a fundamental misconception. “It was a misconception in India that Pakistan would eventually break apart,” he said, asserting firmly that the country would never disintegrate.
Global Recognition for Military Leadership
The former intelligence chief also highlighted the growing international stature of Pakistan’s military leadership, particularly Chief of Defence Forces and Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir. Dulat claimed that the US president had referred to Field Marshal Munir as his “favorite field marshal,” a reflection of the deep cooperation fostered during the US-Iran negotiations hosted by Pakistan.
Dulat’s commentary extended to the simmering crisis in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), where he admitted that beneath the surface, the region remains defined by continuing unrest, uncertainty, and a deep-seated feeling of deprivation among the local population.
