‘Highly respected’: Donald Trump again praises Field Marshal Asim Munir
US President Donald Trump has once again praised Pakistan’s Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, describing him as a “highly respected” military leader while reiterating his claim that he played a key role in preventing a potential India-Pakistan war in May.
Donald Trump made these remarks during an event held in Florida, where he appeared alongside US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Secretary of the Navy John Phelan.
Speaking about regional security in South Asia, President Trump referred to Pakistan’s top military leadership, saying, “He is a highly respected general… he is a field marshal,” adding that Pakistan’s prime minister had credited him with helping save millions of lives by stopping the conflict from escalating.
Trump further claimed that during the India-Pakistan confrontation, eight aircraft were destroyed, though he did not provide additional details or evidence regarding the assertion.
The US president has repeatedly praised Pakistan’s civil and military leadership following the May clashes with India, portraying Islamabad’s response as measured and responsible.
Earlier in October 2025, President Trump had lauded Field Marshal Asim Munir as a “good man” and described Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif as a “great leader” while addressing the ASEAN Summit 2025 in Kuala Lumpur.
During that address, Trump also mentioned reports of a possible conflict between Pakistan and Afghanistan, stating that Pakistan’s leadership managed to defuse tensions swiftly and peacefully.
“I am a proponent of peace across the world,” President Trump said, claiming that he had helped halt eight wars during his political career. Emphasising his preference for economic engagement over military confrontation, he added, “I stopped wars through trade. I like stopping wars.”
Trump reiterated that the United States favours trade and diplomacy as tools for maintaining global stability, asserting that economic cooperation remains the most effective path toward lasting peace.
