&w=3840&q=100)
With a 2-hr closed-door meeting, Trump may have made it difficult for Asim Munir
Pakistan's Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir salutes after laying wreath on the martyrs' monument during a guard of honour ceremony at General Headquarters (GHQ) in Rawalpindi. AFP
While their meeting is definitely a sign of the brewing US-Pakistan bonhomie, US President Donald Trump appears to have put Pakistani Army chief Field Marshall Asim Munir in a difficult spot: while Trump's offerings are generous, his demands are taxing and risk compromising longstanding Pakistani position.
Trump held a two-hour-long meeting with Munir on Wednesday, which was seen as a breakthrough in the US-Pakistan relationship.
For one, Trump wants Pakistan to distance itself from China and pivot to the United States. That is a non-starter for Pakistan as China is invested so much in the country economically, politically, and militarily that distancing is not just infeasible but unthinkable.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
However, Trump's outreach to Pakistan —and offers— don't come for free. The risks for Munir are also substantial.
Trump puts Munir in difficult spot
While Trump made generous offers to Munir, he also sought substantial returns on his investment.
Trump sought Pakistan's military bases and seaports from Munir in exchange for fifth-generation fighter planes, significant financial aid, and new trade and security deals, according to CNN-News 18.
Trump told Munir that the offer rests on the condition that Pakistan would curtain dealings with China and Russia.
A source further said that Trump would want Pakistan to be on the US side if he would decide to join Israel in attacking Iran.
ALSO READ: Trump wants military bases from Munir, offers security-trade deals in US-Pak reset: Report
While Trump's offerings are great, they put Munir in a tough spot as accepting these offers would mean diluting yearslong relationship with Pakistan and undoing the longstanding policy regarding Israel.
Consider these facts: China accounts for around 23 of all Pakistan's trade, China is the largest source of foreign investment in Pakistan with a share of around 40 per cent, and just one project, China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), adds 2-2.5 per cent of Pakistan's economy.
Moreover, while Pakistan has historically used Western weapons, the military has been increasingly armed by China in recent years . In the past five years, around 80 per cent of Pakistan's military imports have been from China.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
With such dependence, it is impractical —if not impossible— for Munir to curtail ties and engagement with China and replace it with the United States as the principal partner of the United States. But, once you have had an audience with Trump and received such offers, it is not easy to bluntly say no. That means that either Munir would lose face in front of Trump by refusing the offers or he would try to reach middle ground that could upset both Trump and Xi Jinping of China.
Trump seeks reset in US-Pakistan ties
With his meeting with Munir, Trump has made it clear that he is seeking a reset in US-Pakistan ties.
In an unprecedented meeting that lays bare who truly runs Pakistan, Trump held a meeting at the White House with Munir on Wednesday.
This was the first time a President of the United States held a direct, formal meeting with a Pakistani army chief. Three previous army chiefs, Ayub Khan, Zia-ul-Haq, and Pervez Musharraf, held meetings with the US president but only when they were heads of state while running a military regime after a coup — not in capacity as army chiefs.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
The reset in US-Pakistan relationship has come at a time when Trump's policies and actions have soured times with India . He has not just continued to falsely claim mediation in the India-Pakistan conflict last month but has also hyphenated India and Pakistan, intervened in the Kashmir dispute, and made deals with jihadists from West Asia to South Asia that adversely affect India's security interests.
ALSO READ: Beyond Pakistan: Trump's open embrace of jihadist forces across Asia a new headache for India
However, as mentioned above, Trump is not making offers but also seeking substantial returns. South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman describes it as a 'classic Trump' give-and-take approach.
'There's been US-Pakistan engagement on crypto, minerals and counter-terrorism, and Trump takes a deep personal interest in all of these. This is classic Trump: 'What can you do for me? What can I get out of this?' Kugelman, a Senior Fellow at Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, told Guardian.
STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India.com
38 minutes ago
- India.com
Good news for Israel as THIS European country decides to purchase Iron Dome air defence system, not Germany, France or Italy, name is...
Iron Dome missile shield New Delhi: In a significant development amid the intensifying Russia-Ukraine war, a big European country has decided to acquire the much-talked about Iron Dome air defence system of Israel. For those unversed, the Iron Dome air defence system of Israel is a mobile all-weather air defense system designed to intercept and destroy short-range rockets and artillery shells. In the recent development, the southeastern European country named Romania has decided to purchase the famous air defence system. As part of a broader strategy to enhance national security, Romanian Defence Minister Ionuț Moșteanu has confirmed that the contract for the SHORAD-VSHORAD system is scheduled to be signed in the autumn of 2025, a report by Defence Industry Europe said. Why is Romania buying Iron Dome air defence system? 'These are defensive missile batteries that we don't have, and we need them. If I were to give an example, when we see images from Tel Aviv when the Iranians attack and we see the Iron Dome, that is SHORAD-VSHORAD, and it protects Tel Aviv. It will protect us as well. Whether it's airports, military bases, or, God forbid, we need to defend our cities', the Bulgarian minister was quoted as saying by the report. Speaking to public broadcaster TVR, Moșteanu, the Bulgarian Minister had said that the military procurement currently accounts for nearly 30% of the national defence budget of Bulgaria and Future purchases, including short-range missiles and corvettes will also be made. Bad news for Turkey? 'There is no Black Sea strategy without Turkey. It is the strongest. We will have to take these steps, these discussions, and it will be in the national defence strategy, there will be a Black Sea strategy,' the minister added. Israeli PM Netanyahu nominates US President Trump for Nobel Peace Prize In a significant development after US President Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu for dinner at the White House, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said that he had sent a letter to the Nobel Prize Committee nominating US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize. The Israeli Prime Minister also claimed that he had personally handed a copy of the nomination letter to Trump during their dinner at the White House. (With inputs from agencies)
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Russia warns US, South Korea and Japan against forming security alliance targeting North Korea
Russia warns US, South Korea and Japan against forming security alliance targeting North Korea (AP) SEOUL: foreign minister warned the US, South Korea and Japan against forming a security partnership targeting North Korea as he visited his country's ally for talks on further solidifying their booming military and other cooperation. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke Saturday at North Korea's eastern Wonsan city, where he met the country's leader, Kim Jong Un, and conveyed greetings from President Vladimir Putin. Kim during the meeting reaffirmed his government's commitment to "unconditionally support and encourage all measures" taken by Russia in its conflict with Ukraine. He said Pyongyang and Moscow share identical views on "all strategic issues in conformity with the level of alliance," according to North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency. Lavrov called for the two countries to further strengthen their "strategic and tactical cooperation and intensify concerted action" in international affairs, KCNA reported. Relations between Russia and North Korea have been flourishing in recent years, with North Korea supplying troops and ammunition to support Russia's war against Ukraine in return for military and economic assistance. That has raised concerns among South Korea, the US and others that Russia might also transfer sensitive technologies to North Korea that can increase the danger of its nuclear and missile programs. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Speaking with reporters after a meeting with his North Korean counterpart Choe Son Hui, Lavrov accused the US, South Korea and Japan of what he called military buildups around North Korea. "We warn against exploiting these ties to build alliances directed against anyone, including North Korea and, of course, Russia," he said, according to Russia's state Tass news agency. The US, South Korea and Japan have expanded or restored their trilateral military exercises in response to North Korea's advancing nuclear program. The three countries held a joint air drill Friday involving US nuclear-capable bombers near the Korean Peninsula as their top military officers met in Seoul and urged North Korea to cease all unlawful activities threatening regional security. North Korea views major US-led military drills as invasion rehearsals and has long argued it is forced to develop nuclear weapons to defend itself from US military threats. Russia understands North Korea's decision to seek nuclear weapons, Lavrov said. "The technologies used by North Korea are the result of the work of its own scientists. We respect North Korea's aspirations and understand the reasons why it is pursuing nuclear development," Lavrov said, according to Tass. During their meeting, Choe reiterated North Korea "unconditionally" supports Russia's fight against Ukraine, as Lavrov repeated Russia's gratitude for the contribution North Korean troops made in efforts to repel a Ukrainian incursion into Russia's Kursk border region. North Korea recently opened a mammoth beach resort in Wonsan city, the meeting venue, that it says can accommodate nearly 20,000 people. In his comments at the start of his meeting with Choe, Lavrov said, "I am sure that Russian tourists will be increasingly eager to come here. We will do everything we can to facilitate this, creating conditions for this, including air travel," according to the Russian Foreign Ministry. The Wonsan-Kalma tourist zone is at the center of Kim's push to boost tourism to improve his country's troubled economy. However, prospects for the tourist complex aren't clear as North Korea appears unlikely to fully reopen its borders and embrace Western tourists anytime soon.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
an hour ago
- First Post
'Release the files as promised': Musk blasts Trump after GOP leader urges MAGA to not waste time on Jeffrey Epstein
Elon Musk poked fun at Donald Trump and urged him to release the files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as he had promised during his campaign read more Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who recently had a major falling out with US President Donald Trump, poked fun at him and urged him to release the files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as he had promised during his campaign. 'Seriously. He said 'Epstein' half a dozen times while telling everyone to stop talking about Epstein. Just release the files as promised," Musk said on X in reply to Trump's post. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Seriously. He said 'Epstein' half a dozen times while telling everyone to stop talking about Epstein. Just release the files as promised. — Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2025 Trump administration under fire Musk's comments came after Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, asking his supporters to stop criticising his administration over the Epstein files. Trump also claimed that former presidents Barack Obama, Joe Biden, and Democratic leader Hillary Clinton were the ones who 'created' the Epstein files. Once a close ally of Trump, Musk briefly led the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) but their relationship soured when Musk publicly slammed Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill' on tax cuts and government spending. Trump hit back by threatening to cut federal contracts for Musk's companies, like Tesla and SpaceX. The tension grew when Musk posted on X that the Trump administration was holding back the Epstein files because Trump's name was in them. Musk later deleted the post, admitting he 'went too far' with the claim. Trump defends Attorney General Pam Bondi On Saturday, President Trump defended Attorney General Pam Bondi, saying she was doing a 'fantastic job". 'LET PAM BONDI DO HER JOB — SHE'S GREAT!" he said. 'One year ago, our Country was DEAD, now it's the 'HOTTEST" Country anywhere in the World. Let's keep it that way, and not waste Time and Energy on Jeffrey Epstein, somebody that nobody cares about." Trump's administration is now facing a lot of criticism, even from his own supporters, for not releasing the Epstein files as promised during his campaign. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Many MAGA supporters believe 'Deep State' figures are hiding details about Epstein's connections to powerful people. The issue blew up after the Justice Department and FBI released a joint memo recently, saying that after a thorough review, they concluded Epstein took his own life and that there was no 'client list' or evidence to charge anyone else. This contradicted earlier statements from Attorney General Pam Bondi, who had said a 'client list' was on her desk and would be considered for release. Far-right influencer Laura Loomer demanded that Trump fire Bondi, calling her 'an embarrassment.' Former White House aide Steve Bannon warned that Republicans could lose up to 40 seats in the House during the 2026 midterm elections because of how Trump has handled the Epstein files issue.
