U.S. Vice President JD Vance identified his wife, Usha Vance, and Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir as his two [1] favorite Indian and Pakistani people.
The remarks occurred during U.S.–Iran negotiations at the Burgenstock resort overlooking Lake Lucerne, Switzerland, on Sunday. The comment is notable for its light-hearted tone during high-stakes diplomatic discussions involving regional powers.
Speaking in the negotiation room, Vance framed the comment as a joke. "I will say that since Field Marshal Munir welcomed us with the Prime Minister in Islamabad, I have joked that I have two very, very important people," Vance said.
He specifically linked the two figures together in his assessment of the region. "My wife, Usha Vance, and Asim Munir — two very important people," Vance said.
The vice president later reiterated the sentiment during the talks. "During the Iran talks, I mentioned my favourite Indian and Pakistani people — my wife and Field Marshal Asim Munir," Vance said.
The mention of Field Marshal Munir follows a previous interaction in Islamabad, where the Pakistani military leader and the prime minister welcomed the U.S. delegation. The setting of the comment, a Swiss resort, provided a neutral ground for the broader U.S.–Iran diplomatic efforts occurring this week.
“"My wife, Usha Vance, and Asim Munir — two very important people."”
By publicly praising a high-ranking Pakistani military leader alongside his own spouse, Vance is utilizing personal rapport to signal a positive relationship with Pakistan's security establishment. This approach may be intended to maintain strategic stability in South Asia while the U.S. focuses on the more volatile negotiations with Iran in Switzerland.
