United States President Donald Trump on Wednesday expressed his “honor” in meeting Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir at the White House, marking the first instance of a US president hosting a Pakistani army chief in the Oval Office without senior civilian officials present. This meeting, listed on the president’s official schedule and held in the Cabinet Room, was closed to the press.

Islamabad is viewing this lunch as a significant diplomatic achievement, particularly as it serves as a counterpoint to recent Indian media narratives that highlighted their delegation’s meeting with US Vice President JD Vance. When questioned by the media about the meeting, Trump stated, “I was honored to meet him (Field Marshal Munir) today.”

Upon inquiry regarding discussions about the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, Trump commented on Pakistan’s insight into Iran, noting their familiarity with both nations but a deeper understanding of Iran. He added that Field Marshal Munir concurred with his assessment. Trump explained his primary reason for hosting the Field Marshal was to express gratitude for Pakistan’s role in preventing further escalation of the conflict with India. He also extended thanks to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who had visited days earlier, acknowledging their joint efforts to prevent what could have become a nuclear war between the two significant nuclear powers, Pakistan and India.

This meeting between Trump and Field Marshal Munir is seen as a substantial step in strengthening US-Pakistan relations, which had largely stagnated under both Trump’s and his predecessor Joe Biden’s administrations, as both had actively courted India in efforts to counter China’s influence. Earlier, when speaking to reporters on the White House lawn, Trump highlighted Field Marshal Munir’s immense influence in halting the India-Pakistan fighting from Pakistan’s side.

Trump also reiterated his claim of credit for the Pakistan-India ceasefire, despite PM Modi’s assertion during a conversation late on Tuesday that the breakthrough was achieved through bilateral military talks, not US mediation.