President Trump acknowledges Pakistan’s regional insight after talks with Army Chief

WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump and Army Chief Field Marshal General Asim Munir discussed regional peace, trade and Iran-Israel tensions over a luncheon at the White House.

The rare and high-level diplomatic engagement was in the spotlight as Islamabad and Washington exchanged views on regional security, particularly focusing on the Iran-Israel conflict.

In their meeting, Trump said Pakistan has valuable insight into Iran and plays a key role in peace efforts in the region. “Pakistan understands Iran better than we do,” POTUS said, emphasizing the country’s strategic position and its importance in shaping the broader Middle East landscape.

The bilateral meeting took place in the White House Cabinet Room, followed by a luncheon hosted by Trump in honor of General Asim Munir. A White House spokesperson said the event recognized Pakistan’s role in reducing tensions with India and acknowledged the army chief’s diplomatic efforts to prevent conflicts.

Trump described the meeting with Army Chief Asim Munir as an honor, saying he had done a great job ensuring that matters did not escalate into conflict. The two leaders also reviewed the prospects for economic cooperation, including early-stage talks on a regional trade framework. Trump confirmed that Pakistan’s economic and geopolitical concerns were being taken into account.

After the successful meeting with President Trump, the Pakistani top general is expected to have follow-up meetings with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Defense Pat Hegseth as Pakistan and the US enter a new era of strategic cooperation.

In his remarks, Trump described Pakistan as a major nuclear power with good people and praised Munir as “a key figure in maintaining peace and stability in the region.”