US Vice President JD Vance on Sunday triggered widespread discussion online after he jokingly referred to his “favourite” Indian and Pakistani individuals on the sidelines of US-Iran peace talks in Switzerland.
High-stakes summit and international mediation
The comments, made by Vance during the high-level diplomatic engagement, have sparked buzz on social media amid the ongoing negotiations between Washington and Tehran, being mediated by Pakistan and Qatar.
Light-hearted mentions of family and military leadership
Vance said his “favourite” people from India and Pakistan were his wife, Second Lady Usha Vance, and Pakistan’s Army Chief Asim Munir.
Speaking at the Bürgenstock Resort in Obbuergen, Vance said, “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 in my life, an Indian and a Pakistani.”
The Vice President further added, “The Indian is my wife and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir, and I’ve probably talked to Munir more than I’ve talked to anybody else over the last three months.”
Commending Pakistani statesmanship in peace talks
Vance made the remarks in presence of Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Field Marshal Asim Munir. The Republican leader then applauded Munir for his contribution toward US-Iran peace negotiations, saying “We would not have been here without his statesmanship and military leadership. He has shown himself to be a great diplomat.”
Delays and escalation on the road to Switzerland
Vance was earlier scheduled to reach Switzerland for agreement talks on Friday, but his departure was delayed after Israeli strikes in Lebanon escalated and Iranian delegation cancelled their plans to attend talks.
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An AP report stated that Vance departed Washington after Iran’s state media reported Tehran’s negotiators had reached Switzerland on Sunday.
Technical negotiations and the White House delegation
The Vice President is being led by President Donald Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner and special envoy Steve Witkoff. Kushner and Witkoff were already stationed in Switzerland to go through the technical details of the nuclear talks.
