US President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir for an unprecedented White House lunch, marking a significant shift in US-Pakistan relations. The meeting comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where Israel has been conducting strikes inside Iranian cities since June 13, and Iran has retaliated with missile attacks on Israel.
The meeting between Trump and Munir was a rare gesture, with Trump praising Munir for his role in preventing the escalation of the conflict between India and Pakistan. Trump said, “The reason I had him here was that I wanted to thank him for not going into the war [with India]. And I want to thank PM [Narendra] Modi as well, who just left a few days ago. We’re working on a trade deal with India and Pakistan.”
The US and Pakistan have a complex history, with periods of cooperation and tension. Pakistan’s relationship with the US dates back to its 1947 independence, after which it aligned with Washington during the Cold War. However, over the years, many within the US strategic community have questioned Pakistan’s credibility as a reliable security partner. Trump’s meeting with Munir signals a reset in ties, with experts saying it has been in the making for weeks under Trump’s second administration.
One of the key aspects of the meeting was counterterrorism cooperation. General Michael E Kurilla, chief of the US Central Command, detailed how cooperation with Pakistan led to the capture of the suspected Abbey Gate bomber. “They [Pakistan] are in an active counterterrorism fight right now, and they have been a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world,” Kurilla said. Pakistan has also offered “more goodies, such as a trade deal with no tariffs, offering rare earth minerals, and crypto,” according to Marvin Weinbaum, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute.
Experts have varying opinions on the meeting’s significance. Raza Ahmad Rumi, a distinguished lecturer at the City University of New York, called the meeting “historic” and said it signals Pakistan’s growing importance in US foreign policy. “The US wants Pakistan’s help in de-risking regional volatility without offering much in return. For Munir, it’s an opportunity to reassert relevance and perhaps negotiate manoeuvring space at home,” Rumi said. However, others warn that the relationship remains transactional and may not be sustainable in the long term.
The meeting has implications for regional stability, particularly in the context of the Israel-Iran conflict. Pakistan has expressed support for Iran, while the US has been cautious in its approach. Trump said, “They [Pakistan] know Iran very well, better than most,” but added that they are “not happy” about the situation. The US and Pakistan will likely continue to navigate this complex situation, with potential implications for regional stability.
The meeting between Trump and Munir marks a significant development in US-Pakistan relations, with potential implications for regional stability and experts. The US and Pakistan will likely continue to navigate complex issues, including counterterrorism cooperation, trade, and regional conflicts. As Weinbaum noted, “nothing is permanent in this administration,” and the relationship may evolve based on changing strategic interests.