Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir addressed the Pakistani community in Washington on Sunday and lauded the role of overseas Pakistanis, calling them the country’s “brain gain”.

On his official visit to the United States, he attended the retirement ceremony of the outgoing Commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), General Michael E. Kurilla, and the change of command ceremony for the incoming Commander, Admiral Brad Cooper.

Afterwards, he addressed the Pakistani community in the United States, where he highlighted the role of overseas Pakistanis in the country’s progress and prosperity through their ‘always first to respond’ commitment towards their homeland.

Field Marshal criticised India ab accusing New Delhi of presenting itself as a “Vishwaguru” while engaging in what he described as “two-faced policies.”

He cited examples of alleged transnational terrorism by India’s intelligence agency RAW, including the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada, the case of Indian naval officers in Qatar, and the arrest of spy Kulbhushan Jadhav.

He stressed that Pakistan has successfully countered India’s policies through effective diplomacy.

The field marshal termed recent Indian aggression a “serious violation” of Pakistan’s sovereignty, saying it targeted innocent civilians and brought the region to the brink of a major conflict.

He said Pakistan responded decisively, preventing the situation from escalating into a wider war.

On Kashmir, COAS reiterated that the dispute is not India’s internal matter but an “unfinished international agenda” described by Quaid-e-Azam as Pakistan’s “jugular vein.”

He reaffirmed Pakistan’s support for UN Security Council resolutions and warned of a strong response to any future Indian aggression.

Highlighting Pakistan’s counterterrorism stance, he said there is “no sympathy for terrorists” and they will face justice with full force.

He also spoke about the double-edged nature of social media, calling it a powerful tool that can also be misused by hostile forces to spread chaos.

Speaking about Pakistan-US relations, COAS noted that this was his second visit to the US in just six weeks, a sign of growing bilateral ties.

He expressed optimism over a potential trade deal that could bring substantial investment, and said implementation is underway on various MoUs with the US, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and China.

The COAS attributed Pakistan’s recent diplomatic and military successes to “divine blessings, collective national effort, political wisdom, and the professional excellence of the armed forces.”

He concluded by saying, “The question is no longer ‘if’ we will rise, but ‘how soon and with how much strength’ we will rise.”