Pakistan Chief Asim Munir In Washington: Rare Earths? – OpEd

Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir, who was recently elevated to the rank of field marshal following the India conflict, is widely regarded as the most powerful figure in Pakistan. His presence in Washington signals that the country’s military – long a dominant force in the country’s foreign and security policymaking – is eager to re-engage at the highest levels. Analysts have said the objectives of Munir’s visit could boil down to four key issues: Cryptocurrency, Critical minerals, counterterrorism and China.

A South China Morning Post analysis noted that “crypto, China, and critical minerals”—including rare earths—were expected topics on the agenda, hinting that mineral exploration discussions were intended to accompany the visit. But public reporting from Washington makes no direct reference to rare earths being discussed in meetings with the Pentagon, State Department, or at CENTCOM headquarters.

In contrast, during his April (Apr 8–9, 2025) visit to Rawalpindi and Islamabad at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum, rare earths were explicitly raised alongside other critical minerals—this engagement remains separate from the US visits. 

US Interest in Pakistan’s Rare Earth Mineral Resources

A US delegation led by Eric Meyer, Senior Bureau Official for South and Central Asian Affairs, emphasized that “Critical minerals are the raw materials necessary for our most advanced technologies… President Trump has made it clear that securing diverse and reliable sources of these materials is a strategic priority.” Meyer and colleagues met Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Gen Munir at the Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum. They asserted that mineral development collaboration “is a Core Area of Mutual Interest,” and encouraged US firms to explore investment opportunities in sectors such as lithium (especially in Khyber‑Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit‑Baltistan), rare earths, copper, and gold. 

Focus on Gilgit‑Baltistan: The region is believed to hold significant lithium and rare earth reserves. Ongoing Pakistan–China MoUs also extend exploration efforts into Gilgit‑Baltistan. The US interest is partly to counterbalance Chinese dominance under CPEC. 

The Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (Apr 8–9, 2025) led to MoUs and pledges, including for lithium & rare earth exploration in GB. US commitment of technical cooperation and interest from American companies was confirmed — especially in lithium, copper, gold, and rare earths. High-level Pak–US engagement meetings reflect genuine reciprocal interest.

Gen Munir’s engagements with US officials

Pak–US meeting on security and minerals: At a high-level meeting in Rawalpindi, Meyer described Pakistan’s mineral development as “a core area of mutual interest” and commended the improving investment environment—even in front of Gen Munir .US delegation led by Meyer lauded Pakistan’s “steadily improving investment landscape” during the meeting with Gen Munir hosted by the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR).The talks blended economic collaboration with broader security dialogue and counterterrorism cooperation. 

China Factor

Beijing’s presence via CPEC and mining MoUs is likely to limit US influence in Pakistan. USneed to factor Pak-China friendship; “Pak-China friendship is higher than Himalayas, deeper than ocean, sweeter than honey, and stronger than steel”.

US incentives in rare earths and critical minerals have brought Pakistan to the negotiating table. GB, with its untapped lithium and REE potential, is a key pivot point—but success depends on ensuring secure, transparent pathways, strong local inclusion, and navigating the geopolitical chessboard involving China and regional stakeholders.

Munir’s meetings in Washington

In Washington, Gen. Munir’s meetings were centered on security, de-escalation, and military ties with no explicit mention of rare earths.

• Topics like critical minerals were anticipated and may have been on the agenda, but no public evidence confirms they were formally discussed.
• Security and counterterrorism: General Michael Kurilla (USCENTCOM commander) acknowledged Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner” in counter-terror efforts, particularly against ISISK, highlighting security as the central theme. 
• Regional de-escalation: Discussions with Secretary Rubio and other high-level officials centered on urging peace between Pakistan and India and preventing regional escalation. 
• The US aims to rebuild trust with Pakistan (strained since the Afghanistan exit) by shifting the relationship from a security-based partnership to an economic and resource-based alliance.
• The Pakistan Minerals Investment Forum (April 2025) was a direct outcome of this shift, where U.S. officials openly declared minerals as a “core mutual interest.”

US Mineral Wealth: Against Chinese dominance

The US sees Pakistan’s mineral wealth as a strategic hedge against Chinese dominance in global mineral supply chains.
This shift marks a new chapter in Pak–U.S. relations—from a military-security partnership to a geo-economic alliance built on Rare Earths, Energy Transition, and Critical Infrastructure.

However, Pakistan will face the problem of balancing relations between the US and China, since both are interested in mining in that country. Right now, China has the upper hand because of its BRI-CPEC projects. But commentators point out that Pakistan has for long had good relations with the US too and that is so even today. 

The US interest in Pakistan’s mineral resources and Ukraine is part of a larger geopolitical and economic strategy to diversify supply chains away from China, secure access to critical materials, and build long-term strategic partnerships in resource-rich regions.”

Trump says rare earths deal ‘done’ with China– China had agreed to supply US companies with magnets and rare earth metals, while the US would walk back its threats to revoke visas of Chinese students. Diversify and yet continue importing from China the world leader in rare earth metals. The International Energy Agency reports that whilst China produces 61 % of globally mined rare earths, it dominates 92% of worldwide production output.