Trump Hails Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir as ‘Highly Respected’

US President Donald Trump once again praised Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, calling him “highly respected” while reiterating claims that he helped prevent a potential war between Pakistan and India.

“We stopped a potential nuclear war between Pakistan and India,” Trump said during an event in Florida on Monday, alongside Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan. He added that both Field Marshal Munir and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif credited him with saving 10 million lives by stopping the conflict.

Trump described the intensity of the potential conflict, noting, “You know, eight planes were shot down [during the Pakistan-India war]. That war was going to rage.” He also claimed that he has prevented eight wars so far.

The remarks came during a press conference in Florida, where Trump unveiled plans for a new “Trump class” of battleships, marking an expansion of the US naval fleet.

Trump has consistently taken credit for easing tensions between the nuclear-armed rivals, which have fought three wars since independence and continue to dispute the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). The most recent escalation occurred in May, following a terrorist attack on tourists in IIOJK’s Pahalgam area, which India claimed was backed by Pakistan. Islamabad denied involvement.

The ensuing three-day military confrontation included unprovoked attacks by India on Pakistan and a retaliatory response from the Pakistan Armed Forces, known as Operation Bunyanum Marsoos. During the conflict, Pakistan downed seven Indian Air Force jets, including three Rafale fighters, along with several drones. After at least 87 hours, the hostilities ended on May 10 with a US-brokered ceasefire.

Following the brief conflict, Trump met with Field Marshal Munir at the White House in June, expressing gratitude for his role in ending the war. He later met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and COAS Munir in the Oval Office in September, describing them both as “great” people. In October, during a luncheon at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, Trump once again praised Munir, calling him a “great fighter” and commending both leaders for promoting regional stability.

Trump emphasized the delicate nature of the conflict, stating, “I’m reading that seven planes were shot down. These are two nuclear nations. And they’re really going at it.” He also highlighted improving US-Pakistan relations, noting ongoing high-level engagements and a finalized trade deal between the two countries.

Pakistan has credited Trump for brokering the ceasefire and has even nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in easing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.