President Trump hosting Pakistan army chief Asim Munir at the White House for a private, closed-door luncheon is a potent geopolitical signal — chiefly aimed at New Delhi. Iran will likely feature in the discussions, but Munir’s invitation to the U.S. predates Israel’s preemptive war against Iran.

Just weeks after India’s military operation forced Pakistan to seek a ceasefire, Trump’s decision to welcome Pakistan’s most powerful figure signals an effort to normalize Islamabad’s standing — and potentially revive Cold War–era U.S.-Pakistan strategic collaboration. This meeting may mark a return to the old American playbook of balancing U.S. relations with India and Pakistan.

By hosting the leader of the institution that wields de facto power in Pakistan, Trump is implicitly legitimizing the Pakistan army’s role — not only domestically but also in shaping regional security.

If Trump is seeking quiet cooperation from Munir on Iran — whether in intelligence sharing or logistical support — it points to a transactional approach, where Pakistan’s enduring links to terrorist networks are overlooked in favor of short-term utility.

Trump may also be signaling — to India and the wider world — that his foreign policy will follow his own instincts and strategic calculus, not Indian sensitivities. In effect, India may be a strategic partner of America, but not a veto-holder over U.S. dealings with Pakistan.