ISLAMABAD: In a rare high-level meeting, US President Donald Trump and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held extended discussions on counterterrorism cooperation and trade expansion at the White House on Wednesday.
The interaction marked the first official meeting between a sitting US president and a serving Pakistani army chief not holding political office.
Scheduled for one hour, the meeting stretched beyond two, reflecting what both sides described as “cordial and in-depth” dialogue.
Counterterrorism and Regional Stability in Focus
According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), President Trump praised Pakistan’s efforts in maintaining regional peace and its contributions to counterterrorism.
Both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to continued collaboration against extremism and transnational threats.
A significant portion of the meeting focused on security dynamics in South Asia, particularly tensions between India and Pakistan.
Field Marshal Munir expressed gratitude for Trump’s role in de-escalating recent border tensions with India, describing it as a demonstration of global leadership.
The two leaders also discussed the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, calling for de-escalation and peaceful resolution through diplomacy.
Trade, Technology, and a Visit Invitation
The talks also covered new avenues for bilateral cooperation in trade, energy, artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, minerals, and emerging technologies.
President Trump expressed strong interest in forming a strategic economic partnership with Pakistan, one grounded in mutual growth and long-term convergence.
Field Marshal Munir formally invited Trump to visit Pakistan — a gesture described by ISPR as a sign of growing warmth in bilateral ties.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif later hailed the meeting as a milestone in Pakistan-US relations, crediting it as a success of the country’s current hybrid civil-military governance model.
Trump told reporters he was “honoured” to host the COAS and thanked him for “not going into a war with India,” referencing a standoff that could have escalated into a nuclear conflict.
He also hinted at a potential trilateral trade deal involving India and Pakistan, with the goal of promoting regional stability through economic interdependence.
