Trump to lunch with Pakistan army chief Munir, PM Modi rejects invitation, Pakistan is worried but good news for India due to...
(File)
Trump-Munir meeting: In a major development that could impact the India-US relations, Pakistan army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir will meet US President Donald Trump for lunch at the White House on Wednesday, where Islamabad claims talks will held on the Kashmir issue and Pakistan's conflict with India, along with other pressing matters, including the raging Israel-Iran war. Munir's US trip as Trump admin readies to attack Iran
Munir's meeting with Trump comes at a time when the US is mulling to get involved in Israel-Iran war, and send fighter jets and American troops to aid Israel in taking out Iranian nuclear facilities, especially the hardened Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, which is built deep underground and cannot be damaged by conventional bunker buster bombs.
In a public address in Washington DC, Asim Munir had declared Pakistan's 'clear and strong' support for Iran in its war with Israel while also backing US efforts to de-escalate the situation.
While US readies to attack Iran, Asim Munir as well as the Pakistan's civilian government led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has announced strong support for Tehran in its war against the Jewish state, a situation that presents a major conundrum for Islamabad to balance its ties with Washington.
Its is believed that US could use Pakistani airbases to launch attacks against Iran if it decides to get involved in the Israel-Iran war, and Trump's meeting with Munir could be meant to sway the Pakistani army chief to change Islamabad's stance on Tehran.
Experts say that if America jumps into the war against Iran, then Pakistan's airbase can be used and that is why Trump is giving so much importance to Munir. The Pakistanis themselves are not able to digest the fact that the US President is meeting an Army Chief. Pakistani journalist and analyst Waqas wrote on X, 'It is surprising that Trump is going to have lunch with the Army Chief of Pakistan. That too when his counterpart is the PM of Pakistan. Meeting a low-level government official is out of protocol but it shows that Trump needs General Munir. Trump is going to talk about Pakistan's support in the war with Iran.'
Geopolitical have pointed out the significance of Asim Munir being invited to a meeting with the US President at the White House, as it not the norm to host foreign Army chief in the Oval Office.
'Senior US officials often engage with Pakistani Army Chiefs, but rarely is one hosted at the White House by the US President. One of many reasons why Munir's scheduled meeting with Trump is so significant, especially as his administration considers its options regarding the war in Iran,' South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman wrote on X.
Kugelman noted that the Trump-Munir meeting shouldn't only be seen through the lens of the Israel-Iran war as the there's been US-Pakistan engagement on critical minerals, crypto, and Counter Terrorism. 'Trump takes a deep personal interest in all of these. And Munir is empowered to talk about it all. Also, Kashmir,' he added.
According to Derek J. Grossman, National Security and Indo-Pacific analyst, it was time for India to 'speak up'. 'India, time to speak up! Trump this week is scheduled to meet at the White House with Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir, who New Delhi believes is the terrorist mastermind behind attacks on Indians.'
Good news for India?
While Asim Munir being hosted at the White House is certainly a setback for India's diplomatic efforts to isolate Pakistan on the global stage, experts note that there may be silver lining for New Delhi as Iran would likely move closer to India if the Pakistan army chief is coerced into changing Islamabad's stance on the Israel-Iran conflict.
'Trump will meet Asim Munir. There is no doubt he (Trump) will seek cooperation from Pakistan against Iran, which includes providing Pakistani airbases to the US Army. This is a tempting offer for the Pakistani army, but Tehran could move closer to India if Islamabad allows US to attack it from its soil,' West Asia affairs expert Kabir Taneja wrote on X. PM Modi declined Trump invite
Notably, it has also come to the fore that Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday rejected an offer to visit the US after attending the G7 summit in Canada. According to details, Trump, in a 35-minute telephone conversation with Modi, had requested the Indian Prime Minister to visit the US after departing from Canada, presumably to arrange a meeting with Pakistan's de-facto ruler, Asim Munir and the Indian PM, with the US President acting as mediator.
However, PM Modi turned down the offer, reinforcing India's stance of not accepting any third-party mediation to resolve its issues with Pakistan
'Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation with US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, which took place in Canada. During the conversation, which lasted over half an hour, PM Modi briefed the US President about India's Operation Sindoor and firmly conveyed the message that India has never accepted and will never accept mediation on the issues with Pakistan,' Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri informed..
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
18 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
US President Trump hosts Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir
US President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir at the White House on Wednesday in a rare meeting, just weeks after a four-day military conflict between India and Pakistan. The private luncheon was held as tensions continued to rise between Israel and Iran, with Trump reportedly weighing possible U.S. involvement. Pakistan's close ties with Tehran added further significance to the timing of the meeting. According to Geo News, Munir had lunch with Trump at the White House, although details of their discussion have not been made public. The Pakistan military leader now holds the title of "Field Marshal." It is unusual for a US president to host a foreign army chief for a White House lunch. While past Pakistani military leaders such as Ayub Khan, Zia ul-Haq, and Pervez Musharraf have received such invitations, they were also serving as presidents of the country at the time. Trump had returned to Washington early Tuesday morning, cutting short his trip to the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Canada, due to the escalating crisis in the Middle East. An official advisory had announced that Trump would host the Pakistani Army Chief for lunch in the Cabinet Room at 1 pm. The meeting also comes against the backdrop of heightened India-Pakistan tensions, following the Pahalgam terror attack. In response, India conducted precision airstrikes on terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7. During Tuesday phone call with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Trump asked if Modi could make a stopover in the US on his way back from Canada. However, Modi declined the request due to 'pre-scheduled engagements,' according to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. In the same conversation, Modi informed Trump that the recent cessation of hostilities between India and Pakistan was achieved through direct communication between their respective militaries and not through any US mediation. Misri said Modi clearly stated that India does not and will 'never accept' third-party mediation, adding that the dialogue between Indian and Pakistani military officials was initiated at Pakistan's request. Modi's remarks come in response to Trump's repeated claims that he played a key role in brokering a ceasefire between the two nations. Meanwhile, Dawn newspaper reported that the White House invitation extended to Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir is being portrayed by Pakistani officials as a significant diplomatic achievement. India launched Operation Sindoor on May 7 in response to the Pahalgam terror attack, targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled areas. This led to four days of intense clashes, ending on May 10 after military commanders from both countries agreed to halt operations. India maintains that its forceful response compelled Pakistan to seek an end to the fighting. Last month, Munir was promoted to the rank of Field Marshal—the first such elevation since Ayub Khan in 1959. Speaking to the Pakistani-American community in Washington on Monday evening, Munir urged India to deal with Pakistan 'as a civilised nation' instead of trying to assert 'regional hegemony,' according to Dawn. He also denied any Pakistani role in the Pahalgam attack and accused India of attempting to create a 'new normal' by 'violating international borders,' a stance he said Pakistan has 'forcefully rejected.' The four-day exchange of fire between India and Pakistan that followed the Pahalgam strike ended after direct talks between the directors general of military operations on May 10. Munir's address at the Four Seasons Hotel in Washington's Georgetown area reportedly drew some attention, but was met with protests by members of the opposition Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, who demanded democratic reforms and the release of their jailed leaders. He also addressed the wider regional context, affirming Pakistan's strong backing of Iran in its war with Israel while simultaneously supporting U.S.-led efforts to reduce tensions. 'We want this war to end immediately,' Munir said. According to Dawn, a key outcome of Munir's U.S. visit has been the deepening of Pakistan's counterterrorism cooperation with Washington, particularly in combating the Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) group.
Hindustan Times
23 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
US to end LGBT suicide prevention service, says general hotline sufficient
WASHINGTON, - U.S. President Donald Trump's administration is ending funding for an LGBT suicide prevention hotline that it says encourages "radical gender ideology," a move that the project running the service called "devastating." The Trevor Project, a non-profit that provides free, specialized support to LGBT youth, said on Wednesday that its hotline would soon close as a result of the funding not being renewed. "I am devastated and heartbroken. The @TrevorProject received official notice that The Trump administration has ordered the closure of the national LGBTQ youth suicide lifeline in 30 days," Trevor Project CEO Jaymes Black said in a statement on Instagram. A spokesman for the White House Office of Management and Budget said funding would continue for 988 Lifeline, a wider suicide prevention hotline. "The president's Budget funds the 988 at $520 million – the same number as under Biden. It does not, however, grant taxpayer money to a chat service where children are encouraged to embrace radical gender ideology by 'counselors' without consent or knowledge of their parents," the spokesman added. Since taking office in January, Trump has signed multiple executive orders aimed at restricting transgender rights and dismantling diversity, equity and inclusion practices in the government and private sector. The Trump administration says such steps restore fairness, but civil rights and LGBT advocates say they leave marginalized groups more vulnerable. "The administration is eliminating a critical, life-saving resource that was part of this nation's public health infrastructure," said Black, adding that it seemed the country "has failed our LGBTQ young people." The hotline had serviced over 1.3 million young people since its inception in 2022, Black added.
Hindustan Times
24 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
After threatening Khamenei, Trump mistakenly admits he has no Iran plan ready?
During a press conference on June 18, U.S. President Donald Trump sparked confusion and concern after appearing to admit that his administration does not have a clear plan for Iran amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. Despite weeks of tough rhetoric and direct threats to Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Trump has repeatedly declined to clarify whether the U.S. will join Israeli military operations or what specific steps Washington is prepared to take. Watch for details.
