In
a significant diplomatic encounter, former U.S. President Donald Trump hosted
Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir, at the White House on Wednesday,
calling himself "honoured" by the meeting. Trump explicitly stated
his purpose: "Reason I had him here was I wanted to thank him for not
going into the war and ending it..." This praise centered on Pakistan's
role in preventing the escalation of recent tensions with India.
"Prime
Minister Modi just left a little while ago and we are working a trade deal with
India and also with Pakistan... I am so happy," Trump remarked, framing
the situation as a success of his engagement. "Two very smart people
decided not to keep going with the war. Those are two big nuclear powers."
This statement directly echoes Trump's claim last month that he personally
brokered a ceasefire between the two South Asian rivals.
India Rejects Trump's Mediation Claim: However, India
has firmly contested Trump's narrative. During a phone call with Trump on
Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi clarified that the ceasefire along the
Line of Control resulted from direct military-to-military talks between India
and Pakistan, not U.S. mediation. This position was officially reiterated by
Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, underscoring New Delhi's rejection of
the idea that external intervention resolved the situation.
Pakistan's Stance on Iran-Israel War: The meeting
also occurred against the backdrop of speculation regarding Pakistan's
potential role in the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict. When asked about Pakistan's
view on Iran, Trump offered an enigmatic comment: “They know Iran very well,
better than most, and they’re not happy about anything... They see what’s going
on. And he agreed with me,” without elaborating on the subject of agreement.
Recent
reports suggest Pakistan is positioning itself as a potential mediator. Foreign
Minister Ishaq Dar stated that Iran is open to resuming talks if Israel halts
its attacks, based on communication with his Iranian counterpart, adding, “Our
intention was always to see successful negotiations between the United States
and Iran.” Notably, General Munir, during his U.S. visit, declared Pakistan's
"clear and strong" support for Iran in its conflict with Israel while
simultaneously expressing backing for U.S. de-escalation efforts.
The
meeting marks a rare instance of a serving Pakistani military leader engaging
directly with a U.S. President at the White House, an honor last extended to
General Pervez Musharraf in 2001 (who was also head of state at the time). The
encounter highlights the complex interplay of South Asian tensions, Middle East
conflicts, and Trump's diplomatic assertions, particularly concerning the
disputed role of U.S. mediation between nuclear-armed neighbors India and
Pakistan.
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