Two months, two visits: Pakistan army chief's strategic push in Washington

Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, has arrived in the United States for consultations with senior American military officials, marking his second visit to Washington in less than two months.

The trip includes attendance at the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) change-of-command ceremony and underscores a notable warming of ties between Washington and Islamabad.

It follows a high-profile lunch with President Donald Trump in June — a rare engagement that emphasized Munir’s growing influence in regional security dynamics.

The meeting focused on counterterrorism cooperation, trade, and the ceasefire that Trump claims to have brokered in May, which ended four days of cross-border hostilities between India and Pakistan.

While Trump has taken credit for mediating the ceasefire, India maintains it was the result of direct military-to-military talks, reflecting diverging narratives.

This second visit in such a short span signals a deliberate push by both countries to deepen military and strategic ties. The timing is critical, coming amid CENTCOM’s leadership transition and growing tensions in the Middle East, particularly between Israel and Iran.

'Phenomenal partner'

Munir’s frequent visits, along with recent praise from outgoing CENTCOM commander Gen. Michael Kurilla — who called Pakistan a “phenomenal partner” in counterterrorism — reflect a thaw in U.S.-Pakistan relations that had cooled in recent years.

Kurilla’s visit to Pakistan in late July, during which he was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military), further cemented the bilateral partnership.

Washington views Pakistan as a key player in efforts to counter regional threats such as ISIS-Khorasan, a terror group active in South and Central Asia. Pakistani intelligence reportedly facilitated the capture of the mastermind behind the 2021 Kabul airport bombing — a key point of U.S.-Pakistan intelligence cooperation.

In addition to military talks, Munir is expected to advocate for deeper economic cooperation, including access to U.S. markets, rare earth mineral ventures, cryptocurrency collaboration, and tariff reductions, as hinted at in recent bilateral agreements.

Balancing act?

Munir’s second visit to the U.S. in 2025 is a delicate balancing act. Analysts say it reflects Pakistan’s effort to navigate its complex relationships with the United States, China, and Iran.

“Pakistan’s engagement with the United States is rooted in its own national interests,” Pakistan's former Foreign Secretary Salman Bashir told Nukta, dismissing the notion that closer ties with Washington signal any shift away from China or Iran.

“Our relationships with China and Iran are longstanding and remain unaffected. This is not a balancing act,” he said, highlighting Islamabad's role in defusing recent tensions between Iran and the U.S.

Pakistan seen as regional stabilizer

Dr Qamar Cheema, Executive Director of the Sanober Institute, told Nukta, that Pakistan’s relationship with the United States is similar to its ties with other key countries, including India and China. "It [ties] should not be seen as coming at the expense of its partnerships with China or Iran. Each relationship has its own significance — with China, Pakistan has a strategic partnership; with Iran, an important bilateral relationship; and with the U.S., a history of highs and lows, largely centered on security cooperation," he added.

Over the years, he said that Pakistan and the U.S. have worked together on transnational security threats affecting South Asia, Central Asia, and the transatlantic community. However, he added, the U.S. is now shifting its focus from a purely security-based relationship to an economic partnership — something Pakistan has long advocated under its geoeconomics policy. "This is why the U.S. President recently announced plans to send an oil company to Pakistan, signaling support for this shift."

Cheema said that the military-to-military partnership between Pakistan and the U.S. is longstanding and wide-ranging. "American defense officials respect Pakistan’s military leadership for its role in eliminating terrorism, countering transnational threats, and demonstrating the capability to fight both conventional and irregular wars," he added.

During General Michael Kurilla’s recent visit, he said that discussions focused on the regional security landscape. "His [Kurilla's] invitation to Pakistan’s Army Chief to attend the CENTCOM change-of-command ceremony in Florida reflects the mutual value both sides place on this partnership."

He further said that greater Pakistani influence in Washington could also promote stability in the Middle East. "Given the deep trust deficit between the U.S. and Iran — two countries that have even engaged in direct conflict — Pakistan is well-positioned to play a mediating role. Preventing a confrontation involving Iran aligns with Pakistan’s interests, as any escalation would pose serious risks to its economic and national security," he concluded.

Protests planned ahead of visit

However, Munir’s visit is not without controversy. Supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan, particularly members of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party, have planned protests in Washington. They accuse Munir of suppressing democracy and orchestrating Khan’s ouster.

These demonstrations mirror similar protests during Munir’s previous visit in June, highlighting domestic political challenges that could complicate Pakistan’s diplomatic posture abroad.

At the same time, Munir has sought to engage with the Pakistani diaspora, commending their economic contributions and portraying Pakistan as a stabilizing force on the global stage.