Overview

• Trump hosted Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir for a private lunch at the White House, marking the first time a serving US president formally welcomed Pakistan’s military chief without civilian counterparts.
• The president publicly credited Munir with helping avert a wider India-Pakistan war during the May standoff that risked a nuclear escalation.
• Their discussions went beyond South Asia to cover Israel-Iran tensions and explored plans for deeper cooperation on trade, emerging technologies and counter-terrorism.
• Pakistani-American businessman Sajid Tarar mobilized informal channels to arrange the unconventional meeting at the White House.
• Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi insisted the ceasefire resulted from direct military talks, and New Delhi has warned against US mediation in its conflict with Pakistan.