Monitoring Desk:
Washington D.C. – June 2025: In a high-profile diplomatic engagement, US President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at a luncheon held in his honour at the White House, marking a rare and significant meeting between the head of Pakistan’s military and a US president.
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Addressing the media following the meeting on Thursday, Trump expressed his appreciation for General Munir’s efforts in preventing further escalation between Pakistan and India, two nuclear-armed neighbours that recently faced heightened tensions.
“It was a true honour to meet Asim Munir,” Trump stated. “I invited him here to personally thank him for playing a key role in avoiding a war. His efforts toward securing a ceasefire deserve global recognition.”
The meeting comes amid renewed diplomatic backchannel efforts to ease friction in South Asia. Trump emphasized the critical importance of restraint and dialogue between Islamabad and New Delhi, both of which possess nuclear capabilities. He also highlighted the possibility of a future trade agreement with Pakistan, adding that diplomatic ties between the countries remain significant.
“I stopped a war,” Trump told reporters. “I admire Pakistan and its leadership. I also spoke to Prime Minister Modi recently—he’s a great leader. We’re working toward a trade deal with India, and Pakistan is also part of the broader peace efforts.”
Trump credited both General Munir and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for contributing to de-escalation during the recent standoff. “Both sides were ready for conflict,” Trump said. “It was through leadership like Munir’s on the Pakistan side and Modi’s in India that we managed to halt it. It could have been catastrophic.”
In what is being seen as a notable diplomatic development, the meeting focused not just on South Asia but also on broader geopolitical issues. Trump revealed that Iran was also discussed, with General Munir aligning with U.S. concerns on Tehran’s regional activities.
“Pakistan understands the situation in Iran better than most,” Trump remarked. “And they’re not pleased with what’s happening there either.”
The luncheon and one-on-one dialogue underscore the strategic relevance of Pakistan’s military leadership in regional security affairs, and signal a renewed interest from Washington in strengthening security and trade relations with Pakistan, independent of formal state visits involving civilian leaders.
