ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has found itself in the rare favor of former US President Donald Trump, who publicly declared his admiration for the country during a working lunch held in honor of Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House on Wednesday.
In a gesture that bypassed standard diplomatic protocol, no senior civilian leaders from Pakistan were present at the high-profile engagement.
The event marked a notable shift in Washington’s preferred channel of communication, once again favoring Rawalpindi over Islamabad when dealing with strategic matters.
Unconventional Diplomacy and Strategic Talk
While past military rulers of Pakistan have met US presidents, this meeting is unprecedented for a serving military officer.
The Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) described the session as one of “depth and cordiality.”
Key topics included counterterrorism cooperation and expanding trade relations.
President Trump praised Field Marshal Munir for “not going to war with India,” crediting his own intervention for preventing escalation last month.
He expressed interest in collaborating on issues of personal significance such as cryptocurrencies and rare earth mineral trade.
Pakistan’s Position on Regional Conflicts
The Iran-Israel conflict also featured in the discussions, given Pakistan’s close proximity to Iran and its historic ties with the US military.
Mr. Trump’s stance on avoiding escalation in the Middle East was not clearly stated, but Pakistan’s leadership emphasized its commitment to regional peace.
The Pakistani parliament has unanimously condemned Israeli military actions against Iran and reaffirmed solidarity with its neighbor.
Despite warming ties with Washington, Pakistan’s political and military leadership must maintain a balanced stance, ensuring neutrality and strategic autonomy.
