Trump Hosts Pakistani Army Chief at the White House

Move Risks Worsening Disagreement With India Over Claims of US Role in Stopping War

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WASHINGTON/ISLAMABAD/NEW DELHI - US President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir at the White House on June 18, in an unprecedented meeting that risked worsening a disagreement with India over the President's claim that he stopped the recent war between the nuclear-armed South Asian foes.

It was the first time that a US president has hosted the powerful head of Pakistan's army, widely regarded as having sway over the country's national security policies, at the White House unaccompanied by senior Pakistani civilian officials.

Mr. Trump said he was honored to meet Field Marshal Munir and that they had discussed Iran, which he said Pakistan knew better than most.

Mr. Trump told reporters he had thanked Field Marshal Munir for ending the war with India, for which he also praised Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, whom he spoke to on the night of June 17.

"Two very smart people decided not to keep going with that war; that could have been a nuclear war," Mr. Trump told reporters.

Pakistan's military said in a statement that the two discussed trade, economic development, and cryptocurrency during the two-hour meeting and also exchanged views on tensions between Israel and Iran.

"President Trump expressed keen interest in forging a mutually beneficial trade partnership with Pakistan based on long-term strategic convergence and shared interests," the army said.

Field Marshal Munir was expected to press Mr. Trump not to enter Israel's war with Iran and to seek a ceasefire, Pakistani officials and experts said.