A former envoy reminded us that diplomacy takes time and isn’t just a one-off event.
What happened in Islamabad
Maleeha Lodhi, a former Pakistani ambassador to the United States, told Al Jazeera's NewsFeed that expectations for the recently held talks in Islamabad between US and Iranian officials should be tempered. She said negotiators need time to build trust and sort out differences after years of confrontation. The remarks came as the two sides emerged from discussions that, while limited in public detail, have prompted a rush of commentary around what a reopening of talks might mean.
Lodhi didn’t promise any breakthroughs but asked for patience, pointing out that diplomacy usually happens step by step, not in big headlines. Her intervention is notable because she represented Pakistan in Washington for years and speaks from a background in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy.
Why the comment matters
The Islamabad meetings attracted attention because they're between two states whose relationship has been tense for decades. Even short, private conversations can change calculations in capitals. They also create a space where negotiators can test ideas without the glare of formal summits or public commitments.
Short meetings can be useful.
But Lodhi's point was about expectations: if governments, markets and the public assume a single round of talks will resolve long-standing issues, disappointment is likely. She stressed that diplomacy requires incremental steps — confidence-building measures, follow-up talks and often months of behind-the-scenes work.
Diplomacy as a process, not an event
Lodhi basically said diplomacy is more like a marathon than a quick race. That's a simple frame, but it's often overlooked when media and political leaders chase quick wins. Negotiating contentious matters typically means swapping ideas, testing red lines, and agreeing on sequencing. That can take many meetings — some public, many private.
She echoed a common idea in foreign policy that lasting deals need trust and clear ways to check commitments. Where trust is low, small steps matter more than dramatic gestures. When trust is higher, bolder bargains become possible.
That pattern isn't unique to the countries involved in Islamabad. Still, Lodhi's words carry weight because of her background and because Pakistan hosted the talks. Hosting can be a signal of a willingness to help dialogue, but the host's role is usually logistical and diplomatic rather than determinative.
Regional and global implications
Even if nothing big is announced, just talking again can help avoid mistakes. Direct lines of communication allow diplomats to clarify intentions and limit the risk that small incidents spiral into larger confrontations. That's why many observers treat the re-opening of talks as meaningful even if they don't yield immediate policy changes.
Short-term market moves — for oil, for example — can follow news of negotiations between major players in the Middle East. But Lodhi's warning about patience is a counterweight to those knee-jerk reactions. If talks are tentative or procedural, rapid price shifts may not reflect durable changes in supply or risk.
Hosting such dialogue in Islamabad also puts Pakistan in a delicate position. The country sits between competing regional interests and has sought, at various times, to present itself as a convenor. That role can raise Pakistan's diplomatic profile, but it also draws attention to its own foreign-policy calculations. Lodhi's comment, delivered while referencing the Islamabad talks, subtly points to that balancing act.
What diplomats actually need to do
Negotiators tend to focus on sequencing: who makes the first concession, how to verify compliance, and which issues to prioritise. Those are technical questions. They also involve political judgement — leaders must accept domestic costs for international gains, and paralysing domestic politics can stall even the most promising talks.
When trust is low, third-party hosts or mediators sometimes help. They provide neutral ground and can offer shuttle diplomacy. Lodhi's reference to process suggests a preference for steady, managed engagement rather than headline-driven diplomacy.
This means there has to be follow-up; long-standing disputes don’t end after just one meeting. Commitments need fleshing out into concrete steps and timelines, and both sides usually want assurances that the other will stick to the deal.
How to read public expectations
People often want quick solutions, which can make leaders promise more than they can deliver. Lodhi's counsel is a cautionary note aimed at those audiences. She urged restraint: don’t treat a meeting as the finish line. Treat it as the start of a longer process.
Right now, the hard work is private. Public statements tend to be brief and cautious. That’s normal. Negotiators often prefer to test concepts away from public scrutiny to avoid pressure and to build a foundation before committing to a narrative of success.
Questions that remain
Which issues were discussed in Islamabad? How will each side follow up? What timeline will negotiators set for the next steps? The answers weren’t detailed in the public remarks, and Lodhi's intervention highlighted that those answers often emerge slowly.
Those gaps make it easy for commentators to speculate. They also create a risk that observers misread early signals. Lodhi’s appeal for patience is a reminder to let diplomats do the detailed work before drawing firm conclusions.
Where this leaves observers
Observers should watch for signs of substance: agreed timelines, working groups, or technical committees. Those are the markers that talk is moving from gesture to implementation. For now, statements remain thin on detail, and the emphasis should be on process rather than headline outcomes.
Lasting progress tends to come from steady follow-through. That may not grab headlines. It does change realities on the ground.
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“We should recognise that diplomacy isn't an event, it's a process, it takes time,” said Maleeha Lodhi, former Pakistani ambassador to the United States.
This article was created with AI assistance.
