Field Marshal Asim Munir, the Chief of the Pakistan Army, is said to be on his way for a second US visit in mere two months, according to Pakistani media.
The trip, indicative of the deepening of the relationship between Washington and Islamabad, coincides with an increasing tensions between the US and India on trade matters—specifically export tariffs.
The context for Munir's imminent visit involves a recent trade agreement between Pakistan and the US, whereby President Donald Trump has provided Islamabad with preferential tariff rates and expressed interest in accessing Pakistan's oil reserves.
Conversely, relations between Washington and New Delhi have become more strained. President Trump has just announced an extra 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, blaming India for continuing to import Russian crude oil. He also threatened to impose similar trade penalties on other countries that continue to have energy relations with Moscow.
India's Ministry of External Affairs released a scathing response after the overall US tariff duty on Indian products increased to 50 per cent. The ministry claimed that the American attitude towards India's energy policy was "unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable."
"We have already spelt out our stand on these issues, namely that our imports are market-driven and executed with a view to securing the energy security of 1.4 billion people." the ministry stated.
"It is highly unfortunate that US would decide to impose further tariffs on India. for actions that some other countries too are undertaking in their own national interest," the government went on to add.
Munir had already come to Washington in June, when he was welcomed by President Trump for a White House luncheon. Pakistan's Dawn newspaper said that Munir had actually suggested on that visit that a subsequent trip to the US later in the year was on the cards.
His tour later also comes after a July trip to Pakistan by US Central Command (CENTCOM) commander General Michael Erik Kurilla. During the visit, General Kurilla was awarded the Nishan-i-Imtiaz (military), which is among Pakistan's top military honors.
Even as diplomatic tension continues between India and the US in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor—India's counterstrike after the Pahalgam terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians—President Trump has repeatedly claimed that he brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan—a claim categorically denied by the Modi government. "We had said from day one that our action was non-escalatory. No leader in the world asked us to stop Operation Sindoor," Prime Minister Modi had declared during a Parliament session on the operation.
The recent escalation in tariffs appears to have come in the wake of these claims, further complicating the India-US relationship at a time when Pakistan seems to be deepening its strategic and economic ties with Washington.
Read also| PM Modi to Visit China for SCO Summit in First Trip Since Galwan Clash
Read also| Trump Hints at JD Vance as His Potential Successor for 2028 Race
