Islamabad: In a move being closely watched by regional observers, Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has once again landed in the United States his second trip in just two months. This visit, widely interpreted as a reinforcement of US-Pakistan military cooperation, underscores Washington’s continued interest in Islamabad's role in South Asian security dynamics.
The primary agenda for Munir’s visit is to attend the retirement ceremony of General Michael Kurilla, Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), who is stepping down at the end of this month. Kurilla, known for his favorable stance on Islamabad’s counter-terror operations, had earlier described Pakistan as an “exceptional partner” in the global fight against terrorism.
This renewed camaraderie comes shortly after Pakistan, acting on US intelligence, apprehended five ISIS-Khorasan militants an operation that was publicly lauded by Kurilla. His comments had raised eyebrows in India, especially given the timing just after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, which India alleges had cross-border links. As New Delhi scrambled to expose Pakistan’s complicity on global platforms, Kurilla’s praise was viewed as a diplomatic setback.
Adding fuel to the controversy, Kurilla was recently conferred Pakistan’s highest civilian honor, the Nishan-e-Imtiaz, during a July visit to the country. The ceremony was symbolic of a growing strategic convergence between the two militaries.
Interestingly, Field Marshal Munir’s US tour comes just weeks after his meeting with former US President Donald Trump, soon after Pakistan's controversial Operation Sindoor. While the contents of that meeting remain undisclosed, analysts suggest that behind-the-scenes dialogue is intensifying between Islamabad and Washington, even as public rhetoric stays muted.
The dual visits and high-level engagements indicate a renewed phase of military diplomacy that could reshape the regional balance, particularly in the context of Afghanistan’s stability, counter-terrorism cooperation, and India-Pakistan tensions.