Pakistan army chief visits US as Washington warms to resetting ties

Pakistan's army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir arrived in Washington D.C. on Sunday for a visit scheduled to conclude on June 18.

This trip comes just three weeks after a heightened period of conflict between Pakistan and India.

Officials in the inner diplomatic circles of D.C. confirm that the army chief landed in Tampa, Florida, where the U.S. Central Command’s headquarters are located, instead of coming straight to D.C.

Earlier, there was chatter that he would be attending the 250th U.S. military celebrations in Washington, held on Saturday but he did not attend that parade.

The embassy and the officials are not sharing the details of the visit due to security reasons.

But according to political analyst Dr Mohammad Taqi, it is routine for high-ranking military officials to visit the U.S. Central Command’s headquarters during trips to the United States, so the army chief’s visit does not come as a surprise.

India uncomfortable

This is Munir’s maiden trip to the U.S. after his promotion to the rank of field marshal by the government of Pakistan in May after a U.S.-brokered cease-fire ended a days-long war with India.

However, the timing of the army chief’s visit has raised eyebrows in New Delhi. India has blamed Pakistan for an April attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that left 26 people dead. Islamabad has denied the allegations, and New Delhi has yet to publicly provide any evidence linking Pakistan to the incident.

According to Taqi, CENTCOM Commander Gen. Michael Kurilla recently described Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner” in counterterrorism. Speaking before the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on Tuesday, Kurilla also praised the Pakistan Army for its efforts in neutralizing ISIS-K militants along the Pakistan-Afghanistan border — a sign, analyst Taqi said, of Washington’s favorable view of Islamabad’s military establishment.

While India remains wary of Washington’s engagement with Islamabad, Pakistan has welcomed the U.S. role in averting further conflict. “Acknowledging President Trump’s role in brokering peace works to Pakistan’s diplomatic advantage,” Taqi said.

Visit signals recalibration of US-Pakistan ties

While the official agenda of the visit remains undisclosed, analysts see the trip as a sign that Islamabad seeks to reassess its relationship with Washington, which had reportedly cooled in recent years amid growing U.S.-India strategic alignment and increasing U.S. concern over China’s regional influence.

Some experts believe the discussions may center around four broad areas: cryptocurrency regulation, critical minerals, counterterrorism, and China. A senior U.S. delegation, led by Eric Meyer of the State Department’s South and Central Asia Bureau, recently participated in the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum in Islamabad.

However, political analyst Raza Rumi dismissed the likelihood of mineral-related issues being discussed during the army chief’s visit. “I don’t think Field Marshal Munir will raise this topic. It’s more likely a subject for the civilian government at another forum,” he said.

China likely on agenda, say observers

On the topic of China, Rumi acknowledged it would be “an expected focal point.” He added that the U.S. appears keen to prevent Pakistan from falling fully into China's strategic orbit, especially after Beijing extended strong support to Islamabad during the recent war.

“The U.S. sees this as a sign of China’s growing footprint in the region -- something Washington is eager to counter,” he said.

Munir’s arrival in Washington also coincides with escalating Israeli missile strikes on Iranian cities. Asked whether Pakistan could play a diplomatic role in easing Iran-Israel tensions, Taqi said: “I don’t think that’s likely. Even if there were regime change in Iran, Pakistan would still maintain strong ties with the state and its people.”

He noted that Pakistan enjoyed closer ties with Iran during the era of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran’s last monarch, underscoring the historic depth of the bilateral relationship.

Domestic politics loom

The visit also comes amid domestic political turbulence, with Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters in the U.S. held a large protest in D.C. on June 14.

Rumi said the army chief’s invitation to Washington was a "setback for PTI lobbyists," who have long attempted to tarnish his image in the U.S.

He added it was “highly unlikely” that issues related to incarcerated PTI leaders and workers would be part of the army chief’s official discussions.

Washington likely to deepen counter-terror cooperation

Meanwhile, Rumi noted that the U.S. military is expected to pursue deeper engagement with Pakistan on counterterrorism, including intelligence sharing to track militant groups operating near Afghanistan and the Iran-Pakistan border—a shift in U.S. policy that has reportedly frustrated India.

Taqi observed that both civilians in Pakistan and policymakers in New Delhi may be surprised at how U.S.-Pakistan military-to-military ties have endured, even when diplomatic relations between the two countries appear strained.