A senior U.S. official has publicly praised Pakistan for its cooperation in counterterrorism, drawing attention to a growing gap in regional diplomatic influence between Pakistan and India. Gregory D. LoGerfo, the Acting Coordinator for Counterterrorism at the U.S. State Department, commended Pakistan for returning the Abbey Gate Bomber and for actively partnering with Washington in efforts to counter the threat of ISIS-K. This acknowledgement marks a significant diplomatic endorsement, especially at a time when India’s foreign policy posture appears increasingly isolated on the counterterrorism front.
The Abbey Gate Bomber was involved in the devastating 2021 Kabul airport attack that killed 13 U.S. service members and over 170 civilians. Pakistan’s alleged cooperation in locating and handing over the suspect represents a serious intelligence and security breakthrough — one that Washington has chosen to publicly highlight. LoGerfo’s remarks, made during a recent briefing, suggest a quiet but impactful realignment of U.S. counterterrorism partnerships in the region.
This development raises tough questions for New Delhi. For years, India has pursued a policy aimed at diplomatically isolating Pakistan, accusing it of supporting terrorism. However, the current narrative from Washington suggests that ground realities and results — rather than rhetoric — are shaping global alliances. While Pakistan, despite its own controversial history, is being recognized for tangible counterterrorism results, India seems to be falling behind due to what critics are calling “symbolic diplomacy” and inflexible strategic positioning.
The shift in tone from the U.S. is particularly striking given the broader geopolitical context. India has long positioned itself as a strategic partner to the West in the Indo-Pacific region and a bulwark against Chinese influence. Yet, in the critical area of counterterrorism, it appears that the United States is increasingly leaning on Pakistan — a former adversary — for operational success. Observers note that while India has spent diplomatic capital on global image-building and domestic political messaging, Pakistan is securing influence through intelligence cooperation and actionable support.
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Analysts argue this moment reflects a broader truth in international affairs: success is judged by results, not intentions. Pakistan’s recent moves, whether tactical or strategic, have garnered attention and engagement from Washington. India, meanwhile, may need to re-evaluate its diplomatic approach to avoid further erosion of its strategic standing in the eyes of key global powers.