Pakistan, June 20 -- The recent meeting between Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff and President Donald Trump in Washington was far more than a formal courtesy. Spanning over two hours inside the White House, it marked an unusual and deliberate elevation of engagement between two countries whose ties have often oscillated between transactional utility and strategic ambiguity.

It comes at a time of regional strain. Just weeks earlier, South Asia stood on the edge of conflict following a brief but volatile military flare-up between Pakistan and India. Islamabad's response during the crisis was measured and lawful, rooted in a longstanding commitment to stability in the region. In contrast, New Delhi's conduct revealed an alarming disregard for...