Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is expected in Washington, D.C., this week to attend the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary celebrations, marking “Army Day,” scheduled for Saturday—also coinciding with former President Trump’s 79th birthday. His invitation highlights continuing, high-level military ties between Pakistan and the United States.
During his visit, Munir is anticipated to meet with senior officials from the U.S. State Department and the Pentagon. This follows recent praise from Gen. Michael Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, who applauded Pakistan as “a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world” and affirmed that U.S. military cooperation can be robust with both India and Pakistan .
🎯 Why this matters
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The visit reinforces Washington’s attempt to balance strategic relationships—maintaining alliances with both India and Pakistan amid complex South Asian dynamics .
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It reflects a noted shift in tone under the Trump administration, which has expressed willingness to engage Pakistan at senior military levels, despite past tensions over terrorism and regional stability.
🔥 Reactions in India and Pakistan
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In India, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticized the visit, calling it “another huge diplomatic setback for India,” citing Munir’s previous statements just before the Pahalgam terror attack.
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Pakistani diaspora, including supporters of Imran Khan’s PTI, plan to protest the visit in Washington, signaling domestic opposition to the current military leadership’s alignment with U.S. engagement.
In sum, Munir’s visit—fuelled by Gen. Kurilla’s commendation of Pakistan’s counterterror efforts—underscores a nuanced U.S. strategy: partnering selectively with Pakistan while continuing to support India, maintaining leverage in a geopolitically sensitive region.
