Trump dismisses Modi’s counterargument regarding US mediation in the India-Pakistan truce.
US President Donald Trump convened with Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, at the White House on Wednesday in an extraordinary meeting that could exacerbate tensions with India about the president’s assertion that he averted last month’s battle between the nuclear-capable South Asian adversaries.
The luncheon marked the inaugural occasion on which a U.S. president hosted the chief of Pakistan’s military, deemed the most influential individual in the nation, at the White House without the presence of prominent Pakistani civilian authorities.
Trump expressed his honor in meeting Munir and stated that they had conversed on Iran, a subject he claimed Pakistan understood better than many. Trump informed reporters that he expressed gratitude to Munir for concluding the conflict with India, for which he also commended Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, with whom he conversed on Tuesday night.
“Two exceptionally intelligent individuals opted to cease hostilities; this could have escalated into a nuclear conflict,” Trump informed reporters.
The military of Pakistan stated that the two parties deliberated about trade, economic development, and cryptocurrency during the two-hour discussion, and also exchanged perspectives on the tensions between Israel and Iran.
The army stated, “President Trump demonstrated a strong interest in establishing a mutually advantageous trade partnership with Pakistan, grounded in long-term strategic alignment and common interests.”
Pakistani authorities and experts indicated that Munir was anticipated to urge Trump against engaging in Israel’s conflict with Iran and to advocate for a ceasefire. A segment of Pakistan’s embassy in Washington advocates for Iran’s interests in the United States, given that Tehran lacks diplomatic relations with the U.S.
Pakistan has denounced Israel’s airstrikes on Iran, stating that they contravene international law and jeopardize regional stability.
The encounter signified a significant enhancement in U.S.-Pakistan relations, which had predominantly stagnated under Trump and his predecessor Joe Biden, as both sought to engage India in efforts to counter China.
When questioned previously about his objectives for meeting Munir, Trump said reporters: “Well, I halted a war … I have a profound affection for Pakistan. I believe Modi is an exceptional individual. I conversed with him last night. We are negotiating a trade agreement with Modi of India.
I halted the conflict between Pakistan and India. This individual was profoundly instrumental in halting it from the Pakistani perspective, Modi from the Indian perspective, and others,” he stated. “They were engaged in conflict, and both are nuclear nations.” I halted it.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly stated that Trump received Munir following his appeal for the president’s nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize for averting a nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan.
NO MEDIATION
Last month, Trump stated that the neighboring countries consented to a truce following U.S.-mediated discussions, and that the conflict ceased when he encouraged the nations to prioritize trade over warfare.
Modi informed Trump during their Tuesday chat that the ceasefire was established through discussions between the Indian and Pakistani armed forces, rather than through U.S. intervention, as stated by India’s top diplomat, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri.
Pakistan has expressed gratitude to Washington for its mediating role; nevertheless, India has consistently rejected any involvement of a third party in mediation. The phone talk on Tuesday between Modi and Trump was their inaugural direct communication since the confrontation from May 7 to 10.
“PM Modi told President Trump clearly that during this period, there was no talk at any stage on subjects like India-U.S. trade deal or U.S. mediation between India and Pakistan,” Misri said.
Discussions to halt military operations occurred directly between India and Pakistan via established military channels, at the urging of Pakistan. Prime Minister Modi emphasised that India has not accepted mediation in the past and will never do.”
Misri said Modi and Trump had been due to meet on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada but Trump left a day early due to the Middle East situation.
Trump asked Modi if he could stop by the U.S. on his return from Canada, Misri said, but the Indian leader expressed his inability to do so due to a pre-decided schedule.
The heaviest fighting in decades between India and Pakistan was sparked by an April 22 attack in Indian Kashmir that killed 26 people. New Delhi accused “terrorists” supported by Pakistan, a claim that Islamabad refutes.
Pakistan has previously said the ceasefire happened after its military returned a call the Indian military initiated.
On May 7, Indian jets bombed what New Delhi called “terrorist infrastructure” sites across the border, triggering tit-for-tat strikes spread over four days in which both sides used fighter jets, missiles, drones and artillery.
Michael Kugelman, of the Asia Pacific Foundation think tank, said India-U.S. ties, which have thrived in recent years, could suffer if Trump continued to make remarks about a U.S. role in the ceasefire and offered U.S. mediation on Kashmir, a Himalayan territory India and Pakistan both claim.
“For Delhi, it all boils down to an age-old question: How much can it tolerate U.S.-Pakistan cooperation without having it spoil U.S.-India relations — a partnership that’s thrived in recent years despite continued U.S.-Pakistan links,” he said.
