'My wife, Asim Munir two very important people': JD Vance makes India-Pakistan joke in Switzerland

US Vice President JD Vance on Sunday revealed the names of his two "favourite" Indian and Pakistani people, naming his wife Usha Vance and Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir.

Speaking in the negotiation room at a luxury resort overlooking Lake Lucerne in Switzerland's Burgenstock, Vance praised Munir, who was standing alongside the negotiating teams.

"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 Indian is my wife, and the Pakistani is Field Marshal Munir," he said.

Vance revealed that in the last three months, he has spoken to Munir more than "anybody else".

"I would not be here without his statesmanship. He is, of course, a great military leader, but I think he's shown himself to be a great diplomat. And, of course, he's an amazing leader."

The US Vice President said that Washington was thankful to have found a diplomatic solution to the months-long US-Iran conflict, referring to the interim deal signed electronically earlier this month. He said it remained to be seen how much the US and Iran could "accomplish" from this point.

"The question before us now is how much more can we accomplish together? Can we turn over a new leaf?" Vance said in brief remarks as the talks, dubbed the "Lake Lucerne Summit", got underway. "Can we change relations in the Middle East permanently, or do we go back to doing things the old way, which is not our preference, but is certainly very much something that can happen."

His remarks came as the US and Iran began their first round of talks at a luxury resort in Switzerland, in the presence of mediators, including delegations from Pakistan and Qatar.

"We look forward to transforming Middle East instability through diplomacy and promoting peace, as well as ensuring the free flow of oil," Vance said, hailing the meeting with Iran as "historic".

Vance noted that the US and Iran had never held such a high-level meeting before, adding that the goal was to "turn over a new leaf, transform our relationship with the people of Iran, and extend an outstretched hand".

Vance and senior Iranian officials arrived in Switzerland to formally launch negotiations over Tehran's nuclear programme, build on the fragile interim deal aimed at ending the conflict, and keep the Strait of Hormuz open.

While Vance is leading a US negotiating team comprising envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Iran's delegation is led by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and chief negotiator Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.