Reported by PakSolider.com | Defense & International Affairs Desk
US President Donald Trump has once again praised Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, referring to him as a “highly respected general” while discussing global conflicts and diplomatic interventions.
Trump’s remarks came during a press conference at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach, Florida, where he also announced plans for a new class of heavily armed US warships to be named after himself, an honor traditionally reserved for former presidents.
Responding to a question on the progress of talks between Russia and Ukraine, Trump claimed that his administration had so far “stopped eight wars,” reiterating a statement he has made on several occasions.
“We stopped a potential nuclear war between Pakistan and India,” Trump said.
“The head of Pakistan and a highly respected general — he is a field marshal — and also the prime minister of Pakistan said that President Trump saved 10 million lives, maybe more, by getting that war,” he added.
Trump further stated that the conflict had been rapidly escalating, saying that multiple aircraft had been shot down and that the war was beginning to intensify before diplomatic intervention.
“We have solved many wars; the only one we have not solved yet is Russia and Ukraine,” the US president said, noting the deep-rooted hostility between Moscow and Kyiv.
Repeated Praise for Pakistan’s Army Chief
Trump’s latest comments are part of a series of public remarks praising Field Marshal Asim Munir since their meeting in Washington in June, when the US president extended an unprecedented invitation to the Pakistani army chief for a historic luncheon at the White House on June 19.
Since then, Trump has referred to Field Marshal Munir on multiple occasions, at times calling him “my favourite field marshal.”
On October 29, while speaking about the Pakistan-India conflict in May, Trump described Munir as a “great fighter.”
“I’m doing a trade deal with India, and I have great respect and love for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We have a great relationship,” Trump said.
“Likewise, the prime minister of Pakistan is a great guy, and the field marshal — they have a field marshal. You know why he’s a field marshal? He’s a great fighter. He really is. He’s a great guy, too,” he added.
A day earlier, Trump had also acknowledged the role of Pakistan’s military leadership in the ceasefire agreement that followed the May conflict.
Background: May Pakistan-India Conflict
The May conflict between Pakistan and India was triggered by an attack on Hindu tourists in Indian-occupied Kashmir, which New Delhi, without providing evidence, blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad strongly denied the allegations, with the Foreign Office calling India’s claims “replete with fabrications.”
The four-day confrontation involved the use of fighter jets, missiles, artillery, and drones, resulting in dozens of casualties on both sides before a ceasefire was agreed upon.
In the immediate aftermath, Pakistan stated that it had shot down six Indian fighter jets, including French-made Rafale aircraft. India later acknowledged suffering “some losses” but denied the scale claimed by Pakistan.
Months later, in September, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, addressing the United Nations General Assembly, stated that the Pakistan Air Force had turned seven Indian jets into scrap and dust.
Trump has also referenced the aerial losses on multiple occasions, stating in different remarks that seven to eight aircraft were shot down during the conflict.
