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Gen Munir Meets Trump at White House, First-Ever Formal COAS Visit
Historic! Gen Asim Munir becomes first Pakistani COAS to hold formal talks with US President at the White House. Trump praises Pakistan's regional role, vows deeper ties. Trade, tech, security & peace top agenda.
ND
by News Desk
2025-06-19
Gen Munir Meets Trump at White House, First-Ever Formal COAS Visit

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In a landmark diplomatic engagement, Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Asim Munir became the first serving army chief to hold a formal one-on-one meeting with a sitting U.S. President at the White House — without holding political office or ruling under martial law. The high-profile luncheon meeting with President Donald Trump marked a significant moment in Pakistan-U.S. ties, stretching back over 78 years.

Held in the Cabinet Room and followed by a visit to the Oval Office, the meeting extended well beyond the scheduled hour, lasting over two hours. According to the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), this reflected the “depth and cordiality of the dialogue.”

Trump, accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, lauded Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and stability. “We’re working on a trade deal with India and Pakistan. These two very smart people decided not to continue a war that could have been nuclear,” Trump said, referring to recent regional tensions.

From the Pakistani side, Gen Munir was joined by National Security Advisor and intelligence chief Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik.

Expanding Ties Beyond Security

The ISPR revealed that beyond counterterrorism cooperation, both sides discussed collaboration in areas including trade, mineral extraction, artificial intelligence, energy, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies. Trump expressed interest in a long-term strategic economic partnership with Pakistan, acknowledging Munir’s “leadership during complex regional dynamics.”

Munir, in turn, conveyed Pakistan’s appreciation for Trump’s role in defusing recent tensions with India and emphasized Islamabad’s constructive role in peace and regional diplomacy.

Addressing Global Flashpoints

The discussion also turned to the escalating Iran-Israel conflict. Both leaders agreed on the need for peaceful resolution, with Trump acknowledging Pakistan’s unique regional insight. “They (Pakistan) know Iran very well. They’re not anti-Israel, but they know Iran best,” Trump said.

Trump’s Nobel Nomination Nod

White House spokesperson Anna Kelly confirmed that Trump hosted Munir partly due to his recommendation for the Nobel Peace Prize for averting a Pakistan-India war. Trump acknowledged the gesture, saying, “I was honored to meet him.”

Unorthodox Diplomacy

Sources suggest the meeting was arranged outside conventional diplomatic channels through lobbying efforts involving Republican-linked firms, crypto-influencers, and business networks close to Trump’s circle. Insiders say months of groundwork went into orchestrating the historic engagement, only confirmed after it appeared on Trump’s official schedule.

Political Reaction in Pakistan

Defence Minister Khawaja Asif hailed the visit as a “turning point in Pak-US ties” and a success of the “hybrid governance model.” He credited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Gen Munir for “revolutionary” progress in diplomacy, especially in matters of economy, US relations, and countering Indian influence.

Historic Context

While previous army rulers like Gen Ayub Khan, Gen Zia, and Gen Musharraf met US presidents as heads of state, this meeting marked the first formal engagement for a serving COAS. In contrast, former president Obama once briefly joined a White House discussion with Gen Kayani, but that was informal.

Gen Munir extended a formal invitation to Trump to visit Pakistan — a gesture ISPR said reflected “the warmth of bilateral ties.”

This meeting is being viewed as a reset in the Pak-US relationship, driven by shared concerns over regional instability and new opportunities in trade and tech-driven diplomacy.
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