"I wanted to thank him for...": Trump on meeting Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir
Live Events
(You can now subscribe to our
(You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel
U.S. President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir at the White House on Wednesday (local time) for a lunch meeting, where he praised Munir's role in preventing an escalation between India and Pakistan.'Reason I had him here was I wanted to thank him for not going into the war and ending it...' Trump said during the meeting, referring to tensions between the two South Asian neighbours.The meeting came against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Iran, with Trump also weighing potential U.S. involvement in the region.Trump once again claimed credit for helping avert a war between India and Pakistan, while commending both Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and General Munir for choosing diplomacy over conflict in May.'Prime Minister Modi just left a little while ago and we are working a trade deal with India and also with Pakistan... I am so happy. Two very smart people decided not to keep going with the war. Those are two big nuclear powers. I was honoured to meet him today,' Trump added.However, Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri clarified that the ceasefire was achieved through direct talks between Indian and Pakistani militaries, not through U.S. mediation. Misri said Modi conveyed this to Trump during their meeting late on Tuesday.General Munir is the first Pakistani military leader to meet a sitting U.S. President since General Pervez Musharraf met President George W. Bush in 2001 while serving as Pakistan's military ruler.The Trump-Munir meeting also follows speculation about Pakistan's possible involvement in the Iran-Israel conflict, with some reports suggesting that Pakistan might support Iran.Addressing a public gathering in Washington, DC, General Munir reaffirmed Pakistan's "clear and strong" support for Iran, while also voicing backing for U.S. efforts to de-escalate tensions in the region.According to Dawn, one of the key outcomes of Munir's visit has been the strengthening of U.S.-Pakistan counterterrorism cooperation, especially in relation to the Islamic State Khorasan (IS-K) group.Munir's U.S. visit was also marked by protests from overseas Pakistanis. Outside an event at a Washington hotel, demonstrators chanted slogans such as 'Pakistanio ke Qatil' and 'Islamabad ke Qatil' as Munir arrived.The protest video, shared by Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) on X, showed a screen displaying messages like 'Mass Murderer Asim Munir,' 'Democracy dies when guns speak,' and 'Asim Munir, your time is up. Pakistan will rise."With inputs from ANI
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
25 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Donald Trump hints at Israel-Iran ceasefire, warns Iran has ‘maximum' two weeks
President Donald Trump on Friday indicated he may support a ceasefire in the ongoing aerial conflict between Israel and Iran, now in its second week, but said it would depend on how events unfold. US President Donald Trump expressed doubt over Europe's ability to mediate the ongoing Israel Iran conflict.(Bloomberg) Asked by reporters if he would back a truce while diplomatic talks continue, Trump replied, "I might, depending on the circumstances." He also warned that Iran has a limited timeframe to avoid possible U.S. military action. "I'm giving them a period of time, and I would say two weeks would be the maximum," Trump said, hinting that a decision could come sooner. Trump expressed doubt over Europe's ability to mediate the conflict. "Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this one," he said. On the same day, Iran's foreign minister held talks with British, French, German, and EU counterparts in Geneva to discuss restarting diplomatic efforts on its nuclear program. European leaders urged Tehran to engage directly with Washington, but the discussions ended without a breakthrough. When asked whether U.S. ground troops would be required if conflict escalates, Trump said, "Well, I'm not going to talk about ground forces, because the last thing you want to do is ground forces." The Israel-Iran air war began on June 13, when Israel launched strikes on Iranian territory, claiming the goal was to stop Iran from advancing its nuclear weapons capability. Israel, which is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Iran, which insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, is a member of the NPT and responded with retaliatory strikes. According to the Human Rights Activists News Agency, Israel's attacks have killed 639 people in Iran. Meanwhile, Israel has reported 24 civilian deaths from Iranian strikes. Trump and the White House have said a decision on US involvement in the conflict will be made within two weeks. So far, Trump's stance has ranged from promoting a diplomatic resolution to signalling potential military support for Israel, leaving global observers uncertain about the US course of action. Europe joins Tehran talks as two-week clock ticks President Donald Trump on Friday dismissed the prospects of European diplomacy resolving the Israel-Iran conflict, reiterating that Iran is uninterested in engaging with European leaders. "Iran doesn't want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this," Trump said upon arriving in Morristown, New Jersey. He also played down the possibility of urging Israel to pause its military actions, responding to Iran's demand that Israel cease its strikes before Tehran resumes dialogue with Washington. When asked if he would press Israel to halt attacks, Trump said it was "very hard to make that request right now," adding, "If somebody's winning, it's a little bit harder to do than if somebody's losing, but we're ready, willing and able, and we've been speaking to Iran, and we'll see what happens." Addressing the timeline for a potential US military response, Trump said, "I'm giving them a period of time, and I would say two weeks would be the maximum," explaining that the goal was to "see whether or not people come to their senses." A day earlier, Trump had said he would "make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks" because of a "substantial chance of negotiations" with Iran. That statement was interpreted as opening a short diplomatic window, prompting European leaders to meet with Iran's foreign minister in Geneva. However, Trump said the discussions "didn't help," and his latest remarks suggest he may act sooner if there's no progress on Iran's nuclear programme. (With inputs from agencies)
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
HC judge calls for deeper engagement with law
Dimapur: Justice Y Longkumer, judge of Gauhati High Court, Kohima bench, on Friday called for deeper engagement with law, greater professional development and renewed commitment to justice by the lawyers. She said the panel lawyers, who often serve as the first line of access to justice for the marginalised and under-represented, now play a unique and essential role as educators, advisors and counsellors for common citizens at a time when the Indian legal system is undergoing a pivotal transition with the introduction of new criminal laws. Longkumer was speaking at the one-day orientation programme organised by the Nagaland State Legal Services Authority on new criminal laws — Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) — for panel/retainer lawyers and Legal Aid Defence Counsel System lawyers in Kohima. She said the Indian criminal justice system is undergoing significant reforms with the introduction of the BNS, BNSS and BSA, replacing the IPC, CrPC and Indian Evidence Act. "These new legislative reforms are not just mere cosmetic changes but represent a new way of thinking on how the justice system is perceived, delivered and experienced by the common citizens," Longkumer said. She said the lawyers, who serve in the legal services panel, are often the first line of access to justice for the marginalised and under-represented, and their role now is more important than ever. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top Cardiologist Says This Food Can Do Wonders For Your Health Gundry MD Learn More Undo "You have to learn to adapt to changes with professionalism and as it is with any legal transition, there will be challenges and uncertainties in the interpretation," the judge said. On existing practical difficulties, Longkumer cited the existence of different interpretations and sources, questions and the practical burden of unlearning and relearning while observing that now they have to change their mindset and start to unlearn the IPC, CrPC and learn the new laws.
Time of India
26 minutes ago
- Time of India
Said no to Trump invite as I had to visit land of Lord Jagannath: Modi
1 2 Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday finally explained the reason for declining US President Donald Trump 's recent invite for a stopover in Washington on his way back from Canada. Addressing a gathering in Bhubaneswar on Friday, PM Modi said he had to say no to Trump's invite as he did not want to miss his scheduled visit to the "land of Lord Jagannath". Speaking at an event to mark one year of Mohan Charan Majhi-led BJP govt in Odisha, Modi said, "The President of the United States called me, saying, 'Since you are in Canada, please come over. We will have a meal together and talk.' He extended a warm invitation. I thanked him for the invitation and politely declined, expressing that visiting the land of Mahaprabhu was essential for me. The devotion for Mahaprabhu and your love drew me here. " The explanation puts to rest speculations that had built up ever since foreign secretary Vikram Misri put on record that PM Modi had to skip the Trump meeting due to "prior commitments". While Majhi's first anniversary as CM was on June 12, the Odisha govt timed the main celebration on Friday to accommodate the PM's schedule. Any change in plan could have put the govt in an awkward position in a state where the BJP swept the Lok Sabha polls, winning 20 of the 21 seats, and stormed to power by winning 78 of the 147 assembly seats. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Stunning 2-Bed Senior Houses: Take A Peek Inside! GoSearches | Search Ads Undo In what was Modi's sixth visit to the state in the past one year, the PM praised Odisha's progress under the BJP govt, emphasizing the state's role in India's cultural and economic development. He highlighted various initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, healthcare, and economic opportunities for the people of Odisha, particularly tribal communities. The PM also highlighted the significant role of eastern India in the country's growth trajectory and underscored the region's potential as a catalyst for India's progress in the 21st century. "The development of 21st century India will gain momentum from eastern India. This is the era of Purvodaya," the PM said.
