Asim Munir to meet Donald Trump at the White House: Lunch date sparks memes, mystery, and a whole lot of buzz

Time of India

3 hours ago

US President Donald Trump met Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir in Washington amid the ongoing Iran-Israel war. The rare closed-door meeting sparked speculation over Pakistan's mediation ambitions, counterterrorism ties, and its support for Iran. India, facing fallout from a Kashmir terror attack, remains wary. Trump claimed Munir helped prevent conflict with India, a statement New Delhi disputes. Meanwhile, social media users mocked the high-stakes summit with Bollywood memes, highlighting the online reaction to serious geopolitical moves.
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Pakistan signals mediation role in Iran conflict
Counterterrorism and controversy
Strategic interests and broader agendas
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Fallout in India
Internet reaction: Bollywood memes and cringe
In a rare high-level engagement, US President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan 's Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir , at the White House on Wednesday. The meeting took place in the Cabinet Room and was confirmed in the president's daily schedule. This is the first time since 2001, when General Pervez Musharraf met a US president, that a Pakistani military chief has held such talks with an American leader.The backdrop is tense. The Middle East is ablaze with conflict between Iran and Israel, and Washington is weighing its military options. Trump's discussion with Munir came as part of efforts to manage escalating regional tensions—and perhaps explore Pakistan's role in them.Trump told reporters at the White House, 'I love Pakistan,' adding that Munir was 'extremely influential' in stopping recent fighting between India and Pakistan. However, he did not clarify what he hoped to achieve from their meeting.According to some media reports, Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir was seen as he arrived at the the White House in Washington, DC to meet the US President Donald Trump.Pakistan has positioned itself as a potential mediator in the Israel-Iran war. Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, speaking in parliament earlier this week, said: 'Our intention was always to see successful negotiations between the United States and Iran.' He added that Iran was open to talks, provided Israel stopped its airstrikes.During his Washington visit, Munir reaffirmed Pakistan's support for Iran. At a public event, he stated Pakistan's 'clear and strong' backing for Tehran in the war, while also voicing support for American efforts to de-escalate the crisis.Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif echoed this sentiment in a post on social media, saying he had called the Iranian president 'to express Pakistan's unwavering solidarity with the brotherly people of Iran in the face of Israel's unprovoked aggression.'Pakistan's history with Iran is long and complex. The late Abdul Qadeer Khan, widely considered the father of Pakistan's nuclear programme, was accused of sharing nuclear designs with Iran. These atomic ties have drawn global scrutiny for decades.Beyond geopolitics, Munir's US trip included a focus on counterterrorism. According to Dawn, the most concrete outcome of the visit may be a strengthened counterterrorism partnership with the US, especially in combatting Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K), which poses threats across South Asia.But not everyone welcomed Munir in Washington. Outside a hotel event where he was speaking, overseas Pakistanis protested loudly, chanting slogans like 'Pakistanio ke Qatil,' 'Mass Murderer Asim Munir,' and 'Democracy dies when guns speak.'Political analyst Hassan Askari Rizvi called the White House meeting 'a kind of special gesture given by President Trump.' And it's clear that the symbolism of this meeting was not lost on Pakistan's state-run media either. Pakistan Television called it 'important and historic,' claiming it showed 'growing confidence' in the country's military leadership.Munir's visit is set to continue with meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth, according to reports from Pakistani outlets. Analysts believe the discussions may go beyond just security.As reported by Bloomberg, Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation, said, 'The Pakistani army chief is a powerful figure, and this army chief is especially powerful. He has a very large portfolio.' He noted that talks may also touch on crypto policy and critical minerals.Indrani Bagchi, head of the Delhi-based Ananta Centre, observed, 'The Trump administration is discovering new ways or new reasons to engage the Pakistan army and Pakistan.' Historically, the US has leaned on Pakistan's military to manage regional security threats, from Afghanistan to Iran.The meeting has raised eyebrows in India, particularly given the fragile state of US-India ties. On 22 April, 26 tourists were killed in a deadly terrorist attack in Indian-administered Kashmir. New Delhi blamed Pakistan, calling it an orchestrated act of terrorism. Islamabad denied any involvement.India and Pakistan—both nuclear powers—came dangerously close to open conflict in May. Trump later claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire using trade as leverage. India rejected the assertion. In a call with Trump, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi made it clear: 'At no time, at any level, were there any talks on issues like India-US trade deal or mediation between India and Pakistan through America,' Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said in a video statement.Modi had been expected to meet Trump at the G-7 summit in Canada, but Trump cut his trip short, citing urgent developments in the Middle East. Modi, not a G-7 member, had been invited as a guest by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.Though India and the US have maintained strong ties across successive administrations—largely to counter China—the latest developments suggest friction. US-India trade talks have stalled, and New Delhi remains firmly against any US attempt to mediate with Islamabad.While diplomats negotiated in hushed rooms, the internet had its own take. Social media erupted with memes mocking the Trump-Munir meeting, comparing it to scenes from vintage Bollywood films.One user posted an image captioned, 'Donald Trump after meeting Asim Munir,' alongside a screenshot from the 1997 film Ishq featuring Sadashiv Amrapurkar. Another likened the encounter to a dramatic father-son showdown from Rishtey (2002).Others shared doctored clips claiming to show 'Donald Trump and Asim Munir's exclusive video from the White House.' The mood online was clear—cynical, irreverent, and steeped in cultural satire.Trump's closed-door meeting with Pakistan's army chief reflects shifting priorities as Washington recalibrates its Middle East approach. At the same time, it signals a subtle realignment of regional partnerships—with Pakistan asserting its diplomatic muscle, India hardening its stance, and the US still trying to keep one foot in each camp.With tensions high, and alliances fluid, the world is watching. And as memes continue to fly, what happens behind closed doors could shape the next chapter of regional politics.(With inputs from Bloomberg)