WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump and Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir held a high-level meeting at the White House, focusing on counterterrorism cooperation and expanding bilateral trade, according to a statement issued by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Thursday.
Field Marshal Munir’s visit marks a historic first, as he becomes the only serving Pakistani army chief to be formally received by a sitting U.S. president at the White House without concurrently holding political office or ruling under martial law.
The meeting, originally scheduled for one hour, extended to over two hours—reflecting the depth of discussions and the cordial tone of the engagement. The leaders convened over a luncheon in the Cabinet Room, followed by a visit to the Oval Office.
Present at the meeting were U.S. Secretary of State Senator Marco Rubio and Special Representative for Middle Eastern Affairs Steve Witkoff. COAS Munir was accompanied by Pakistan’s National Security Adviser Lt Gen Muhammad Asim Malik, who also serves as the country’s intelligence chief.
According to the ISPR statement, President Trump praised Pakistan’s continued efforts to promote regional peace and stability, and expressed appreciation for the strong counterterrorism collaboration between the two countries. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening cooperation in this domain.
The discussions also explored opportunities for enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including trade, economic development, energy, artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, cryptocurrency, and mineral resources.
President Trump reportedly expressed interest in developing a long-term, strategic trade partnership with Pakistan, emphasizing mutual benefit and shared interests. He also lauded Field Marshal Munir’s leadership and decisiveness amid ongoing regional complexities.
During the meeting, the COAS extended an invitation to President Trump to undertake an official visit to Pakistan on behalf of the Pakistani government—a gesture aimed at reinforcing the warmth of bilateral ties.
Field Marshal Munir also conveyed the Pakistani nation’s appreciation for what was described as Trump’s “constructive and results-oriented” role in facilitating a recent ceasefire between Pakistan and India during a period of heightened regional tensions. He acknowledged President Trump’s diplomatic acumen in navigating complex global challenges.
The leaders also discussed the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, which has seen continued hostilities in recent days. Both parties emphasized the importance of peaceful resolution and regional stability.
The ISPR characterized the engagement as a “significant moment” in the enduring Pakistan-U.S. partnership, rooted in shared goals of peace, security, and prosperity.
In Pakistan, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif hailed the meeting as a milestone in bilateral relations and a success of the country’s current hybrid governance model. “This is a defining moment in the 78-year history of Pakistan-U.S. relations,” Asif stated on social media, adding that Pakistan’s contributions to regional peace and economic revival were being increasingly recognized.
Speaking to the media following the meeting, President Trump described his interaction with COAS Munir as an “honor,” citing Pakistan’s restraint during recent India-Pakistan tensions. “These two very smart people decided not to continue down the path to war, which could have been nuclear,” Trump remarked, referring to both Munir and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Trump also acknowledged Pakistan’s nuanced understanding of the Middle East, particularly in relation to Iran and Israel. “They know Iran better than most, and they’re not happy about what’s happening,” he added.
White House Press Secretary Anna Kelly noted that Trump hosted Field Marshal Munir following calls by several quarters to nominate the U.S. president for the Nobel Peace Prize, in light of his role in de-escalating tensions between two nuclear-armed neighbors.
This meeting between President Trump and COAS Munir may signal a renewed phase in Pakistan-U.S. relations, centered on strategic cooperation and regional stability.
