Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir’s recent meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House marks a significant upswing in US-Pakistan ties. The two leaders discussed strengthening cooperation in areas such as economic development, artificial intelligence, energy, cryptocurrency, and emerging technologies. Munir also emphasized the need for a peaceful resolution to the escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.
The meeting, which lasted over two hours, reflects a warming trend in relations after years of tension between Washington and Islamabad. Trump thanked Munir and said he was “honoured to meet him”. However, analysts noted that the reset in ties will be tested by two key challenges: Iran and Pakistan’s close relations with China.
The conflict between Iran and Israel presents a sensitive challenge for Pakistan. Islamabad has strongly defended Iran’s right to self-defence, describing the Israeli strikes as violations of Iran’s territorial sovereignty and calling them “blatant provocations”. Pakistan’s proximity and ties to Tehran position it as a potential mediator between the US and Iran.
“It is in Pakistan’s interest to play a mediating role. It cannot afford another adversary on its western border, given its internal challenges,” said Sahar Khan, a Washington, DC-based security policy expert. Khan added that Islamabad should consider striking a deal with Trump to prevent unrealistic demands regarding regional issues.
China remains Pakistan’s most critical partner, with deep economic, strategic, and military ties. However, Beijing’s rise as a global superpower has made it Washington’s principal rival. Muhammad Faisal, a South Asia security researcher, said managing ties with both powers will test Islamabad’s commitment to a policy of “no-camp politics”.
China has invested $62 billion in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a large infrastructure project connecting western China to the Arabian Sea via Pakistan. Pakistan procures more than 80 percent of its weaponry from China, and some of those products have showcased their worth in the recent conflict with India.
“In the long run, both [China and the US] are crucial for Pakistan in their own right,” Faisal said. The fact that Pakistan is sought after by both gives Islamabad considerable diplomatic space to expand cooperation with both Beijing and Washington.
Elizabeth Threlkeld, director of the South Asia Program at the Stimson Center, said Munir’s visit marks a significant upswing in US-Pakistan ties under the Trump administration. “Given President Trump’s central role in shaping foreign policy and his preference for personal relationships, this visit has allowed Field Marshal Munir to solidify a rapport built during the recent crisis,” she said.
However, analysts cautioned that the relationship still faces challenges. Khan said that while the meeting was significant, it doesn’t mean the two countries are “now friends”. Instead, it indicates a thaw in the relationship, and Pakistan should be cautious in its dealings with Trump.
As the US and Pakistan navigate their complex relationships with China and Iran, the recent meeting between Munir and Trump highlights the evolving dynamics in the region.