During a media briefing in Kuala Lumpur, U.S. President Donald Trump praised Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir as “great people” and expressed confidence that Washington would help quickly resolve the recent tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan. His remarks mark a rare moment of direct U.S. acknowledgment of Pakistan’s top leadership and signal a renewed phase of engagement between Islamabad and Washington.
KUALA LUMPUR, October 26:
U.S. President Donald Trump, speaking after mediating the peace truce between Thailand and Cambodia, offered high praise for Pakistan’s leadership and vowed to help stabilize the situation between Pakistan and Afghanistan — calling both nations “friends” and pledging to “get that solved very quickly.”
Trump’s comments came during a press interaction following the signing ceremony in Malaysia’s capital, where he highlighted his administration’s growing record of mediating conflicts across Asia. He emphasized that he had personally overseen an unprecedented wave of peace initiatives, boasting that “this is one of eight wars that my administration has ended in just eight months. We’re averaging one a month.”
Addressing the situation between Islamabad and Kabul, Trump stated confidently:
“There is only one left. I heard that Pakistan and Afghanistan have started up. But I will get that solved very quickly. I know them both.”
He went on to “Pakistan… the Field Marshal and the Prime Minister are great people, and I have no doubt we are going to get that done quickly.” mention Pakistan’s leadership in glowing terms:
“Pakistan… the Field Marshal and the Prime Minister are great people, and I have no doubt we are going to get that done quickly.”
Trump described his mediation approach as one driven by pragmatism and humanity rather than politics or recognition, saying:
“I do it nicely. I don’t need to do it, I guess. But if I can take time and save millions of lives, that’s really a great thing. I can’t think of anything better to do.”
The U.S. President also reflected on his wider diplomatic track record, claiming a historic record in conflict resolution:
“The eight wars that my administration has ended in just eight months — there’s never been anything like that. Never. There never will be, either. I can’t think of any President who ever solved one war. They start wars.”
Strategic Implications for Pakistan–U.S. Relations
Trump’s remarks — especially his explicit reference to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir — represent a significant diplomatic gesture that could help strengthen Pakistan–U.S. ties at a critical moment. His use of the term “great people” signals respect for Pakistan’s current leadership and opens the door for deeper dialogue on regional stability, counterterrorism, and defense cooperation.
Washington’s renewed willingness to engage in South Asian conflict mediation echoes previous moments in U.S. diplomacy when Pakistan played a crucial role in facilitating peace initiatives — most notably in Afghanistan. By positioning himself as a neutral mediator, Trump reinforced the notion that Pakistan remains an indispensable regional partner in managing crises and promoting long-term peace.
For Islamabad, Trump’s remarks also arrive at a time when Pakistan has sought to project a more proactive diplomatic posture. Both Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir have emphasized dialogue, regional stability, and international cooperation as pillars of Pakistan’s foreign policy. Trump’s praise therefore adds international validation to these efforts.
Moreover, this positive rhetoric from Washington could pave the way for enhanced defense coordination, trade expansion, and joint peace initiatives between the two nations — particularly if the U.S. administration follows through with its stated intent to mediate in regional disputes.
A Renewed Opening in U.S.–Pakistan Relations
While President Trump’s comments were made in the context of a broader regional peace push, their symbolic value is unmistakable. His direct acknowledgment of Pakistan’s civilian and military leadership underscores a shift toward mutual respect and pragmatic engagement after a period of fluctuating ties.
Diplomatic observers in Islamabad noted that such public praise from a sitting U.S. president could contribute to restoring trust and momentum in bilateral relations, especially amid evolving geopolitical dynamics in South Asia.
In Trump’s own words:
“If I can take time and save millions of lives, that’s really a great thing.”
For Pakistan and the United States, this may be the beginning of a renewed phase of cooperative diplomacy — one built not on pressure or precondition, but on shared interests and mutual recognition.
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