In rare move, Trump to host COAS for closed-door talks at White House

US President Donald Trump is set to meet Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir today (Wednesday) at the White House.

According to the schedule released by the US administration, the meeting will take place at 1 pm local time in the Cabinet Room during a working lunch. However, no further details have been shared regarding other participants, and media representatives will not be present.

Field Marshal Asim Munir has been in the United States since June 14, and the meeting with President Trump was part of his pre-scheduled engagements.

Commenting on the significance of the meeting, South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman noted on X that it should not be viewed solely through the lens of the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

He pointed out that the United States and Pakistan are cooperating on several critical issues, including mineral resources, cryptocurrency, and counterterrorism.

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"Trump takes a deep personal interest in all of these," Kugelman stated, adding that "Asim Munir is empowered to talk about it all."

Kugelman also suggested that Kashmir is likely to be among the topics discussed.

FWIW the scheduled Trump-Munir meet shouldn’t only be seen through the lens of the Israel-Iran war. There’s been US-Pak engagement on critical minerals, crypto, CT. Trump takes a deep personal interest in all of these. And Munir is empowered to talk about it all.
Also, Kashmir.

— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) June 18, 2025

Following a four-day military standoff between Pakistan and India, President Trump had claimed credit for brokering a ceasefire and had offered to mediate the Kashmir dispute, a move welcomed by Pakistan but not officially acknowledged by India.

While senior US officials frequently meet with Pakistan’s military leadership, Kugelman emphasised that it is rare for a US president to personally host Pakistan’s army chief at the White House.

"Senior US officials often engage w/Pakistani army chiefs, but rarely is one hosted at the White House by the US President. One of many reasons why Munir’s scheduled meeting with Trump is so significant-and especially as his administration considers its options re the war in Iran," his post read on X. 

Senior US officials often engage w/Pakistani army chiefs, but rarely is one hosted at the White House by the US President. One of many reasons why Munir’s scheduled meeting with Trump is so significant-and especially as his administration considers its options re the war in Iran.

— Michael Kugelman (@MichaelKugelman) June 18, 2025