In a rare and strategically significant meeting at the White House, Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir and former US President Donald Trump explored new avenues of bilateral cooperation, signaling a renewed momentum in US-Pakistan relations. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the two leaders held an extended discussion — originally scheduled for one hour but lasting over two — covering a wide spectrum of shared interests, including trade, economic development, energy, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, minerals, and emerging technologies.
President Trump hosted the meeting over lunch in the White House Cabinet Room on Wednesday, accompanied by Secretary of State Senator Marco Rubio and Special Representative for Middle Eastern Affairs Steve Witkoff. Field Marshal Munir was joined by Pakistan’s National Security Adviser. The talks were described as “forward-looking and constructive,” with President Trump expressing a strong interest in developing a long-term strategic partnership with Pakistan based on mutual convergence and economic collaboration.
Field Marshal Munir praised Trump’s statesmanship and acknowledged his global leadership, particularly appreciating his instrumental role in brokering a ceasefire between Pakistan and India following last month’s armed conflict in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The military standoff, which escalated after the Pahalgam attack, resulted in significant casualties on both sides. Pakistan retaliated by downing six Indian fighter jets and launching Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos, eventually leading to a US-brokered ceasefire on May 10.
President Trump, in turn, commended Munir’s leadership during a period of heightened regional tension and lauded Pakistan’s role in promoting regional peace and counterterrorism cooperation. He described the army chief’s efforts as decisive and stabilizing, acknowledging Pakistan’s unique geopolitical understanding of the region, particularly regarding Iran.
The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict was also discussed, with both leaders emphasizing the urgency of diplomatic resolution. In a sign of deepening ties, Field Marshal Munir extended an official invitation to Trump on behalf of the Pakistani government to visit Islamabad at a mutually agreeable time.
Speaking to reporters later, Trump described the meeting as an “honour” and confirmed discussions on a potential trade deal with Pakistan. He noted Pakistan’s crucial role in facilitating peace in South Asia and hinted at continued American engagement on the Kashmir dispute.
The engagement marks a turning point in US-Pakistan relations, reinforcing shared objectives of peace, stability, and economic cooperation amidst a rapidly evolving global landscape.
