JD Vance: 'The Indian Is My Wife, the Pakistani Is Field Marshal Munir'

JD Vance said his wife Usha Vance is Indian and Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir is among his two important people.

By Pranjal Gupta New Delhi: US Vice President JD Vance on Sunday shared a light-hearted moment during high-stakes talks with Iran, revealing that his two "favourite" people are his wife, Usha Vance, and Pakistan's Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Speaking at the luxury Bürgenstock resort overlooking Lake Lucerne in Switzerland, where US and Iranian officials have gathered for crucial negotiations, Vance praised Munir's role in helping bring the talks together.

"Since Field Marshal Munir welcomed us with the Prime Minister in Islamabad, I have joked that I have two very important people in my life – an Indian and a Pakistani. The Indian is my wife, and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir," Vance said, drawing smiles from those in the room.

He went on to say that he had spoken to Munir more often than almost anyone else over the past three months as diplomatic efforts intensified.

"I would not be here without his statesmanship," Vance said. "He is a great military leader, but he has also shown himself to be a great diplomat and an outstanding leader."

Iran-Us-Pakistan Peace Talks in Switzerland

The comments came as the United States and Iran formally opened negotiations aimed at limiting Tehran's nuclear programme and strengthening the fragile interim agreement reached earlier this week. The deal is intended to prevent further conflict, keep the Strait of Hormuz open to global shipping, and lay the groundwork for a broader understanding between Washington and Tehran.

Calling the meeting "historic", Vance said both sides now face an important question.

"The question before us now is how much more can we accomplish together?" he said. "Can we turn over a new leaf? Can we change relations in the Middle East permanently, or do we go back to doing things the old way? That is not our preference, but it is certainly possible."

Vance said Washington hopes diplomacy can help reduce instability across the region while ensuring the uninterrupted flow of oil through key shipping routes.

US Vice President JD Vance speaks in Switzerland, naming his wife and Field Marshal Asim Munir as two important people. (Image Source: Viral on Social Media)

"We look forward to transforming Middle East instability through diplomacy and promoting peace, as well as the free flow of oil," he said.

He also noted that such a high-level meeting between the United States and Iran was unprecedented, describing it as an opportunity to reset relations and extend what he called "an outstretched hand" to the Iranian people.

The American delegation is being led by Vance along with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. Iran's team includes Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

The negotiations are expected to continue over the coming weeks as both sides attempt to convert the interim agreement into a more permanent deal, one that could have major implications for regional stability and global energy markets.