Pakistan, June 19 -- US President Donald Trump said it was an honour to meet Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, during a luncheon held in his honour at the White House.

Speaking to the media after the event on Thursday, Trump extended his gratitude to Asim Munir for visiting and acknowledged the army chief's role in helping avert further military escalation in the region.

"It is an honour for me to meet Asim Munir," Trump said. "I invited him to thank him for not going to war. He deserves appreciation for helping secure the ceasefire."

The luncheon followed recent tensions between Pakistan and India, two nuclear-armed neighbours who have seen a sharp rise in hostilities. Trump noted the gravity of the situation and stressed...