Trump wants military bases from Munir, offers security-trade deals in US-Pak reset: Report

US President Donald Trump has sought a trade-off with Pakistan that will reset the relationship between the two countries, according to a report.

Trump on Wednesday had a working lunch with Pakistani Army chief Field Marshall Asim Munir . He later said he was “honoured” to meet Munir and described him as a “smart” man.

While a working lunch might sound mundane, the meeting could very well be a turning point in the US-Pakistan relationship as Trump sought access to Pakistan’s military bases and seaports in exchange of cutting-edge military technology, according to CNN-News 18.

While Pakistan has been historically a partner of the United States and has played crucial roles to support the West in the Cold War and wars in Afghanistan, the US-Pakistan relationship hit a low point under the previous Joe Biden administration — Biden notably never talked to his Pakistani counterpart in four years.

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Now, Trump appears to be courting Pakistan once again at a time when his relationship with India has started to sour. Trump has not just continued to falsely maintain that he brokered the ceasefire between India and Pakistan and has tried to intervene in the Kashmir dispute, he has also sought harsh terms in ongoing trade negotiations that violate the spirit with which the talks began.

Trump’s offer to Munir: Give me military bases, I’ll give you fighters

To strengthen the foothold in South Asia as well as West Asia, Trump has sought access to Pakistan’s military bases and seaports in exchange for providing Pakistan with fifth-generation fighter planes and advanced missiles, sources told CNN-News 18.

Trump told Munir that the offer rests on the condition that Pakistan would curtain dealings with China and Russia.

While Pakistani military has historically been kitted by the United States, and Pakistan continues to use US-made platforms like F-16 warplanes and naval vassals, the country has moved close to China lately and has got fighters, missiles, and other military systems from China.

The report said that Trump has also offered Pakistan significant financial aid.

Trump also told Munir that new security and trade agreements were also on the table, according to the report.

A top diplomatic source told CNN-News 18 that Trump wants to have Pakistan on his side if the United States joins Israel in the war on Iran. This is where military bases, logistical bases, and sea routes that he wants potentially come into the picture.