Trump credits Asim Munir with having played a decisive role in de-escalating tensions between nuclear-armed India and Pakistan. Addressing a NATO summit in The Hague, US President Donald Trump described how Field Marshal Munir helped prevent a possible war last month by connecting peace initiatives to trade deals.
As he described the way his administration dealt with international conflicts, such as in Ukraine and Serbia, Trump pointed out the India-Pakistan standoff as the most serious. It is not about nations that might one day possess nukes, he said, but two nations that already do.
Direct Intervention and Trade Diplomacy
Trump disclosed that he had made a number of direct phone calls to both countries to call off the fight, saying, “If you are going to fight each other, we are not doing any trade.” The possibility of suspending trade negotiations made both parties rethink and the situation started to calm down.
Trump credits Asim Munir (army chief of Pakistan) saying, “The general of Pakistan was in my office last week.” He was quite a guy.” Although he did not refer to Munir by name in the press conference, Trump has in the past termed Field Marshal Asim Munir as an exceptional human being and an inspiring personality.
Trump confirmed, they said, no, I want to do a trade deal. And we prevented the nuclear war.”
His comments question the official Indian position that New Delhi had acted alone in the May crisis. The version of Trump coincides with the statement of Pakistan that the quiet US diplomacy, including personal negotiations with both parties, was crucial in de-escalating the situation.
Also, Trump briefly touched on the role of Pakistan in the regional affairs, especially its knowledge of Iran. The Pakistanis are well acquainted with Iran, more than most. However, they are not happy, he added, pointing to the strategic value of Pakistan as the US contemplates a new dialogue with Tehran.
