Trump Hosts Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir Amid Rising Tensions
Significant Meeting at the White House
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump welcomed Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir, for a lunch meeting at the White House. During this gathering, Trump commended Munir for his efforts in averting further conflict between India and Pakistan. This meeting occurred against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran, with Trump contemplating potential US involvement.
Trump remarked, “The reason I invited him was to express my gratitude for not escalating the war and bringing it to an end…”
Michael Kugelman, a South Asia analyst, highlighted the importance of this meeting in a post on social media, noting that while senior US officials frequently interact with Pakistani Army Chiefs, it is rare for one to be hosted by the US President. He emphasized that Munir's meeting with Trump is particularly significant as the administration evaluates its stance on the Iran conflict.
Kugelman added, “This meeting should not only be viewed through the lens of the Israel-Iran war. There has been US-Pakistan engagement on critical minerals, cryptocurrency, and counter-terrorism, all of which Trump is personally invested in. Munir is well-positioned to discuss these topics, including Kashmir.”
Trump's Claims and Modi's Response
In the meeting, Trump reiterated his role in preventing a 'war' between India and Pakistan, praising both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and General Munir for their contributions to de-escalating tensions in May.
“Prime Minister Modi just left a little while ago, and we are negotiating a trade deal with both India and Pakistan… I am thrilled. Two very intelligent leaders chose not to escalate the conflict. These are two major nuclear powers. It was an honor to meet him today,” Trump stated.
However, Modi clarified to Trump that the ceasefire was achieved through direct discussions between the Indian and Pakistani military forces, not through US mediation, as noted by India's foreign secretary, Vikram Misri.
Historical Context and Current Developments
The last time a Pakistani military leader met with a sitting US President was General Pervez Musharraf in 2001, during his time as a military dictator.
This meeting between Trump and Munir comes amid speculation regarding Pakistan's potential support for Iran in its ongoing conflict with Israel.
In a public address in Washington, Munir expressed Pakistan's “clear and strong” backing for Iran while also supporting US efforts to de-escalate the situation.
According to reports, a significant outcome of Munir's visit has been the enhancement of Pakistan's counterterrorism collaboration with the United States, particularly against the Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) group.
Protests Against Munir in Washington
Earlier, protests erupted outside a hotel event in Washington, DC, where Field Marshal Asim Munir was present. Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Killers of Pakistanis” and “Killers of Islamabad” as Munir arrived.
Pak Tehreek-e-Insaaf, the party led by Imran Khan, shared a video of the protest on social media, stating, “Pakistani-Americans in Washington, DC are protesting outside the Four Seasons hotel, reminding General Asim Munir of the crimes he has committed against the people of Pakistan.”
The video displayed a screen featuring Munir's photo alongside messages labeling him a “Mass Murderer” and stating, “Democracy dies when guns speak,” and “Asim Munir, your time is up. Pakistan will rise.”