Roving Periscope: The US “uninvites” Munir to 250th Army Parade, Trump’s 79th b’day!
Virendra Pandit
New Delhi: Amid a fast-changing geopolitical scenario and a severe backlash in India and the world outside, the US on Saturday hurriedly “clarified” that it has not invited discredited Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir as a guest of honor to the 250th Army Parade in Washington on June 14, which President Donald Trump is also celebrating as his 79th birthday.
The White House’s ‘cancellation’ of the invitation came on the eve of the two-day G7 Summit in Canada, beginning Sunday, where President Donald Trump will likely face Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Reacting to severe criticism of this invitation, just a month after a highly unpopular ‘Mullah Munir’ promoted himself as “Field Marshal” even after India’s Operation Sindoor destroyed several of his military and terror assets in May, the White House claimed that the Islamist general was “not invited” to the US Army Parade in Washington.
After keeping mum for days, the Trump administration suddenly issued this “clarification” because of volatile geopolitical churning, and a realignment of forces, in the wake of the fresh round of conflict between Israel and Iran, in which Washington cannot afford to keep New Delhi outside its tent.
Interestingly, a delighted Munir, infamous as openly terror-friendly, had confirmed his presence at the military parade. He was also expected to meet with officials from the State Department and the Pentagon, the media reported on Thursday.
Angry Pakistani diaspora in the US, particularly supporters of jailed Prime Minister Imran Khan, had announced to protest Munir’s arrival in Washington.
Even before Munir’s denial, the US chapter of Imran’s Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party had announced a protest rally in front of the Pakistani Embassy in Washington. The rally, backed by over a dozen diaspora organisations, aimed to protest the “undeclared martial law” in Pakistan and to call for democracy and free and fair elections.
His proposed Washington visit was reported days after he got a rare praise from a top US General. At a congressional hearing this week, General Michael Kurilla, head of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), called Pakistan “a phenomenal partner in the counterterrorism world” and underscored Islamabad’s contributions to operations against ISIS-Khorasan. He also noted that while the US sought a strong relationship with both India and Pakistan, it “cannot be a binary switch” in which relations with one preclude ties with the other. He emphasised the importance of maintaining security ties with both India and Pakistan and praised Pakistan’s role in arresting ISIS-K operative Mohammad Sharifullah, involved in the 2021 Kabul airport bombing.
“We should look at the merits of each relationship,” Kurilla said, suggesting that US engagement with Pakistan need not undermine ties with India.
Worried over the negative publicity it has drawn by inviting a discredited and terror-friendly army chief of a failed and bankrupt country, just a month after a crushing defeat, a White House official denied reports. “This is false. No foreign military leaders were invited.”
Among the critics of the reported invitation was senior defense analyst Derek Grossman of RAND Corporation, who posted on X:
“For India, the Trump admin’s invitation to Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir is tantamount to inviting an avowed anti-India terrorist.” He also labelled the purported invite a “diplomatic setback” for India, warning it could be perceived as legitimising Pakistan’s military leadership.
Amid the diplomatic confusion, senior US officials reaffirmed strong support for India. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated that Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau met with an Indian parliamentary delegation led by Congress MP Shashi Tharoor recently and reaffirmed the US-India strategic partnership and shared commitment to combating terrorism.
