Washington/New Delhi: Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir had not been invited to the US Army Parade in Washington, the White House has clarified.
The parade, to mark 250 years of the American armed forces, is to be held today. It is also the 79th birthday of US president Donald Trump.
A few days ago, reports surfaced that Munir, who has got himself promoted to the rank of Field Marshal, will be a guest of honour at the parade.
The reports caused a flutter, with many, including India’s main Opposition party – the Congress – calling it a diplomatic setback for India that has been trying to isolate Pakistan and its Army on the issue of terrorism. Many wondered why the US would invite Munir, of all people, to be a guest of honour at such an event.
The White House’s clarification has now set all speculation to rest. “This is false. No foreign military leaders were invited,” a White House official has said.
Among those who had criticised the rumoured invitation was senior defence analyst Derek Grossman from RAND Corporation. “For India, the Trump admin’s invitation to Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir is tantamount to inviting an avowed anti-India terrorist,” he had posted on X.
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had also jumped to the opportunity to attack India’s diplomatic efforts.
“Failed Marshal Asim Munir, who gave such inflammatory, incendiary and provocative statements, talked about the two-nation theory, Hindus and Muslims, and there is a direct relation between his statement and what happened in Pahalgam on April 22. Same Asim Munir gets a special invitation to go to America on U.S. Army Day on June 14, which is incomprehensible,” he had posted.