Field Marshal Asim Munir’s Second Visit to the US: A New Dimension in Pak-US Relations

Field Marshal Asim Munir, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), recently concluded his second visit to the United States in less than two months, calling it a new dimension in Pakistan-US ties. His back-to-back tours, meetings with American leadership, and direct interaction with the Pakistani diaspora highlight Pakistan’s renewed diplomatic energy in balancing relations with Washington while safeguarding national interests.

This visit is not an isolated event but part of a broader realignment of Pakistan’s foreign and defence policies in the backdrop of shifting global geopolitics.

A New Tone in Pak-US Engagement

During his Florida address to the Pakistani community, Field Marshal Asim Munir stressed that the purpose of these visits is to put relations on a constructive, sustainable, and positive track. Unlike the transactional nature of Pak-US ties in the past, this engagement aims to build mutual trust.

Meeting President Donald Trump in June, the COAS became the first serving army chief to directly sit with a US president over lunch. Such direct access signifies Washington’s recognition of Pakistan’s strategic importance in South Asia. Moreover, his participation in the CENTCOM change of command ceremony underlined Pakistan’s continuing role in regional security architecture.

The mention of possible trade deals and MoUs with the US shows that Islamabad is not merely seeking military assistance but also long-term economic cooperation. In today’s global order, economic partnerships matter as much as security collaborations.

Pakistan’s Firm Regional Stance

Field Marshal Asim Munir did not shy away from addressing the Indian factor. His remarks about India’s duplicity, its ‘Vishva Guru’ propaganda, and the role of RAW in transnational terrorism were clear reminders to the international community that Pakistan will continue to expose New Delhi’s aggressive designs.

By raising cases such as Kulbhushan Jadhav and the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada, he effectively linked India to international terrorism narratives, something Islamabad has been highlighting for years.

On Kashmir, his words echoed Pakistan’s long-standing position: that it remains an unfinished international agenda backed by UN resolutions. This reassertion is crucial at a time when India tries to frame Kashmir as its internal matter.

Counter-Terrorism and Internal Security

Field Marshal Asim Munir emphasized that Pakistan remains the ‘last bulwark against terrorism’. This statement carries weight, as Pakistan continues to fight TTP and other groups operating from Afghan soil. By branding the TTP as Fitna-al-Khawarij, he tied the counter-terrorism narrative with religious terminology familiar to the local population, thus strengthening the moral legitimacy of state action against militants.

At the international level, his assurance that Pakistan does not sympathise with terrorists aligns with the global counter-terrorism agenda, giving confidence to Washington and its allies about Islamabad’s role as a reliable partner.

The Role of Overseas Pakistanis

The COAS rightly pointed out that overseas Pakistanis are not a brain drain but a brain gain. In a world where remittances play a crucial role in economic stability, strengthening this bond is essential. By directly addressing expatriates, Asim Munir not only acknowledged their contributions but also reinforced the idea that Pakistanis abroad are vital stakeholders in the country’s development.

The Chinese Media’s Point of View

From a Chinese perspective, Field Marshal Asim Munir’s second US visit is carefully noted. Chinese state-affiliated media have historically viewed Pakistan as its “iron brother,” and any deepening of Pak-US ties is seen through the lens of strategic balancing rather than rivalry.

Chinese commentary would likely stress three main points:

• Pakistan’s Strategic Autonomy: Beijing understands that Islamabad is diversifying its foreign policy to avoid overdependence on any single power. The COAS’s outreach to the US is seen as Pakistan maintaining autonomy in a multipolar world.
• Non-Zero-Sum Relations: Chinese analysts often highlight that Pakistan’s growing ties with Washington do not undermine China-Pakistan friendship. Instead, they argue that a stronger Pakistan-US relationship could even stabilize South Asia, indirectly benefiting Beijing’s regional projects, including CPEC.
• Economic Balance: Beijing will watch closely how Pakistan navigates trade and investment opportunities with the US while continuing to rely on China for large-scale infrastructure and energy projects. The Chinese narrative will likely frame this as Pakistan building complementary partnerships, rather than shifting alliances.

Conclusion

Field Marshal Asim Munir’s second visit to the US within such a short span is not just another round of routine diplomacy. It signals a deliberate shift towards a broader, multidimensional partnership with Washington, encompassing security, economic, and diaspora engagement.

At the same time, Pakistan continues to highlight regional issues like Kashmir and terrorism with clarity, ensuring that its national stance is not diluted in the process.

The new dimension highlighted by Asim Munir goes beyond Pak-US relations; it reflects Pakistan’s emergence as a responsible regional actor, capable of engaging multiple global powers simultaneously while safeguarding its sovereignty and advancing its strategic interests.

The author Anum Malik, is affiliated with the State News Agency and contributes her research to the think tank, CDS.

*The views and opinions expressed herein, and any references, are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of the Centre for Development and Stability (CDS).