India-Pakistan conflict: In another embarrassment for Pakistan, the White House on Friday denied that any foreign military leader including Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir was invited to the United States military parade scheduled for June 14 in Washington.
The event marks the 250th anniversary of the US Armed Forces and coincides with former President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday.
What did White House officials say?
“This is false. No foreign military leaders were invited,” a White House official told, dismissing speculation that Munir would attend the celebrations as a guest of honour, reports 5WH.
The denial came after several South Asian media outlets claimed that Munir had received an official invitation. The reports drew sharp reactions from Indian analysts and opposition parties, who framed the rumoured invitation as a diplomatic slight.
India’s opposition leaders had described the alleged invitation as a diplomatic embarrassment for Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government. Derek Grossman, a senior defence analyst at the RAND Corporation, labelled the purported invite a “diplomatic setback” for India, warning it could be perceived as legitimising Pakistan’s military leadership.
“For India, the Trump admin’s invitation to Pakistani Field Marshal Asim Munir is tantamount to inviting an avowed anti-India terrorist,” Grossman wrote on X.
Even before the denial, the US chapter of Pakistan’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, aims to protest what it called “undeclared martial law” in Pakistan and to call for democracy and fair elections.
US reaffirms strategic ties with India
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 and reaffirmed the US-India strategic partnership and shared commitment to combating terrorism.
At a Congressional hearing, US CENTCOM chief General Michael Kurilla emphasised the importance of maintaining security ties with both India and Pakistan. He noted 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.