White House Denies Invite to Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir Amid Row in India
The White House has firmly denied reports suggesting that Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, was invited to a prestigious military parade in Washington, D.C., calling the claims “false” and emphasizing that no foreign military leaders were part of the celebrations.
The clarification came after speculation surfaced in South Asian media that General Munir had been extended a formal invitation to attend the U.S. Armed Forces’ 250th anniversary parade, triggering widespread political backlash in India.
No Invite, Says White House
A White House official, quoted by ANI, said, “This is false. No foreign military leaders were invited.” The statement came amid growing controversy, particularly in Indian political circles, over what many interpreted as a diplomatic slight in light of India’s recent counter-terror operations in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (PoK), known as Operation Sindoor.
The military parade, held on June 14, was organized to mark the founding of the United States Army in 1775 and included a rare large-scale display of American military might—featuring troops, tanks, helicopters, and flyovers. Former President Donald Trump, who turned 79 on the same day, was also expected to attend and take the salute.
Backlash in India
In India, reports of the alleged invite were quickly picked up by opposition parties, especially the Indian National Congress. Senior party leader Jairam Ramesh claimed the supposed invitation was a “strategic and diplomatic failure” for the Indian government. Referring to General Munir’s comments prior to the Pahalgam terror attack, Ramesh questioned U.S. intentions, saying, “What is America really up to?”
Ramesh also highlighted the significance of the alleged invite coming shortly after India’s air and missile strikes on terror camps across the border, suggesting that the U.S. was undermining India’s security concerns.
BJP Slams Congress, Defends PM Modi
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) responded sharply, accusing Congress of “peddling misinformation.” BJP IT cell head Amit Malviya took to X (formerly Twitter), writing, “Driven by his relentless animosity towards Prime Minister Modi, Jairam Ramesh irresponsibly amplified false claims alleging that Pakistan’s Army Chief was invited. In doing so, he has echoed narratives that serve Pakistan’s interests.”
The BJP emphasized that India’s foreign policy remains firm and that bilateral ties with the U.S. are at an all-time high.
Protests by Pakistani Diaspora in U.S.
Interestingly, the controversy also triggered reactions within the Pakistani-American community. Supporters of former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party had announced plans to protest outside the Pakistani Embassy in Washington in anticipation of General Munir’s reported presence.
Sajjad Burki, PTI’s Secretary for Overseas Affairs, called on Pakistani-Americans to demonstrate, claiming “any deal with this government is not acceptable to the people of Pakistan,” suggesting deep divisions within the diaspora over Pakistan’s current military leadership.
Rare Military Parade
The parade in Washington was a major spectacle, rare by U.S. standards, which typically do not include annual military parades like those held in France, Russia, or India. The last time a similar event took place was in 1991, after the victory in the Gulf War under Operation Desert Storm.
This year’s event not only marked the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army’s founding but also held symbolic political weight, given its overlap with Trump’s birthday and the presence of key military leadership and veterans.
India-U.S. Ties and Balancing Acts
While the controversy around General Munir was put to rest with the White House denial, the episode has reignited debate on U.S. balancing acts in South Asia. The U.S. maintains strong strategic ties with both India and Pakistan—India as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific and Pakistan as a partner in counterterror efforts in Afghanistan and the region.
The Biden administration has been careful in walking a tightrope. CENTCOM chief General Michael Kurilla has praised Pakistan’s military cooperation, while at the same time, India remains a cornerstone of U.S. Indo-Pacific strategy, especially in forums like the Quad.
In light of this, the strong reactions in India underscore sensitivities around perceived diplomatic slights and India’s growing expectations of unequivocal support from its partners, especially on issues related to national security and terrorism.
IT.
