Trump Praises Pakistan’s Military Chief as Islamabad’s Diplomatic Charm Wins Over Washington
As US President Donald Trump celebrated his latest diplomatic victory following the Gaza ceasefire on Monday, one remark stole the spotlight. Standing before a room filled with world leaders, Trump hailed Pakistan’s top military officer, calling him his “favorite field marshal.”
Moments later, Trump invited Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to the podium, where the Pakistani leader publicly commended the US president’s role in brokering peace. In a symbolic gesture that caught the world’s attention, Sharif announced that Pakistan would nominate Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize — once again.
Just a year ago, such scenes would have been unimaginable. Washington had long viewed Pakistan with caution, wary of its political instability, alleged links to militant networks, and its close alliance with China. Relations were frosty throughout Joe Biden’s presidency, during which he never called either of Pakistan’s prime ministers.
After the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, Biden’s description of Pakistan as “one of the most dangerous nations in the world” soured ties even further.
But in Trump’s second term, America’s foreign policy has taken a sharp turn. His administration has redrawn alliances, opened new channels with former adversaries, and welcomed Islamabad back into the diplomatic fold — this time, with enthusiasm.
A Strategic Reset in Washington
Trump’s re-engagement with Pakistan has produced tangible benefits for Islamabad. Its leaders are now frequent guests at the White House, its military is set to receive new US-made Raytheon missiles, and its diplomats have secured trade concessions that compare favorably to those offered to regional rival India.
Observers say this dramatic turnaround stems from two key factors: Pakistan’s promise of access to rare earth minerals not under China’s control, and its strategic flattery of Trump himself.
The strategy appears to be working. Pakistani media outlets are celebrating a diplomatic revival, even as New Delhi fumes over new US tariffs and diminished access to Washington.
The Rise of Field Marshal Asim Munir
At the heart of Pakistan’s diplomatic surge is Field Marshal Asim Munir, the powerful chief of Pakistan’s military.
A former head of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the 57-year-old Munir is known for his discipline, secrecy, and calculated approach to power. The son of a schoolteacher, he climbed through the ranks quietly — until a four-day border conflict with India in May thrust him into the international spotlight.
The clashes, which killed dozens of soldiers and civilians, raised fears of a full-scale confrontation between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. As tensions peaked, Trump personally intervened, calling for restraint and claiming credit when the fighting stopped.
Pakistan quickly endorsed Trump’s role in achieving the ceasefire — and soon after, nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize.
India, however, denied that Washington had any role in halting the hostilities, insisting the ceasefire was negotiated bilaterally.
A Bond Forged in Crisis
Pakistan’s military claims to have downed seven Indian Air Force jets during the conflict — a figure Trump has since echoed publicly. While New Delhi has never confirmed the number, the episode solidified Munir’s reputation as a decisive leader.
Days later, Munir — now elevated to field marshal — flew to Washington, D.C., where he met Trump for a private lunch. It was the first visit by a Pakistani army chief to the White House without civilian accompaniment, highlighting his growing influence in bilateral relations.
“Trump likes winners,” said Shuja Nawaz, a Washington-based political analyst and author.
“He’s always said he doesn’t like losers. And in Field Marshal Asim Munir, he clearly sees someone who makes quick decisions and gets results.”
The image of Trump hosting Munir and Sharif together at the White House — smiling for cameras, shaking hands, and exchanging compliments — has since become a defining snapshot of this new phase in US-Pakistan relations.
Bearing Gifts and Influence
Pakistan’s strategic location and connections across the Islamic world have made it an invaluable diplomatic player amid growing instability in the Middle East.
“The current global moment benefits Pakistan,” noted Michael Kugelman, a senior fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation.
“Its geographic proximity to the Gulf and its ties with key regional players make it uniquely positioned to serve as a bridge between Washington and the Muslim world.”
Kugelman also emphasized Islamabad’s working relationship with Iran, a dynamic that could make Pakistan a useful intermediary for the US in future regional negotiations — much as it did during the Cold War.
Indeed, Pakistan has a long history of facilitating sensitive diplomacy. In 1971, it secretly arranged Henry Kissinger’s visit from Islamabad to Beijing, paving the way for Washington to normalize relations with Mao Zedong’s China.
Pakistan’s Rare Earth Advantage
Perhaps Pakistan’s most valuable asset in Trump’s eyes, however, lies beneath its soil. The country possesses rare earth minerals — vital components for everything from smartphones and medical scanners to advanced fighter jets and missile systems.
While China currently dominates the global supply of these 17 critical elements, Pakistan’s untapped reserves represent a strategic alternative for the US as it seeks to diversify supply chains away from Beijing.
Trump’s administration has been keen to secure access to these materials as part of its broader push to reduce America’s dependence on Chinese exports. For Islamabad, this newfound leverage is a powerful diplomatic tool — one that offers both economic and political rewards.
A New Chapter in US-Pakistan Relations
Trump’s outreach to Pakistan reflects his transactional approach to diplomacy — rewarding allies who can deliver, regardless of past friction. Islamabad, for its part, has seized the opportunity to reposition itself as a key strategic partner, balancing ties with both Washington and Beijing while reaping benefits from each.
Field Marshal Munir’s close rapport with Trump has accelerated this shift, turning Pakistan from a once-isolated partner into a central player in US regional strategy.
Yet the new partnership has drawn criticism from India, which views Washington’s warmth toward Islamabad as a betrayal of its growing trade and defense ties with the US. Indian officials have accused Trump of “rewarding Pakistan’s duplicity,” even as domestic media outlets warn that New Delhi risks losing its privileged status in Washington.
Still, for now, Islamabad’s charm offensive is paying off. Trump has called Pakistan “a nation of opportunity,” praising its role in regional stability and its “remarkable leadership.”
As one senior Pakistani diplomat put it, “The Americans are listening again — and that’s something we haven’t seen in years.”