Pakistan Army Commander Asim Munir met with US President Donald Trump at the White House and called for Trump's nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize, for his role as an intermediary in helping to prevent a nuclear conflict between Pakistan and India.
The meeting took place in the context of the tensions between the two nuclear powers of South Asia that have just eased. On May 7, India launched a Sindoor campaign, launching missile strikes on targets in Pakistan, after accusing Islamabad of backing the rebel group in the shootings that killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan denied the allegations and strongly counterattacked. The confrontation escalated rapidly, with the risk of a nuclear conflict explosion.
However, the two sides reached a ceasefire on May 10 thanks to the US mediation role. White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said President Trump invited General Munir to lunch at the White House and appreciated Pakistan's nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize.
I invite Mr. Munir to thank me for not prolonging the war with India. I also thank Prime Minister Modi. Both are very smart in choosing not to let the clash escalate into a nuclear conflict, Trump said at a press conference after the meeting.
During the extended discussion, the two leaders mentioned many international issues, including the situation of Iran - a country with a common border and stable diplomatic relations with Pakistan. According to the Pakistan military, the two sides also discussed trade, economic development, cryptocurrency and the conflict between Israel and Iran.
General Munir became army commander just a few months after former Prime Minister Imran Khan was sacked in 2022. Since then, he has gradually affirmed his outstanding role in national security issues. After the clash with India, he was hailed by many parties and people of Pakistan as a tough and determined person to protect the country's sovereignty.
Munir's reception at the White House also marked the first time an unofficial Pakistan military commander has been officially welcomed by a US president. Although the Pakistan army has been questioned within the country's politics, its image has now been consolidated in the public eye.
Although Pakistan recognizes the US mediation role, India has denied it. Prime Minister Modi affirmed that the ceasefire is the result of negotiations between the two armies, not through intermediaries of any country.
