18 hours ago
Did US invite Pak's Army chief to its military parade? White House clarifies
The United States on Sunday refuted claims that Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir, was invited as a guest to the ongoing military parade in Washington to mark the 250th anniversary celebrations of the US Armed Forces."This is false. No foreign military leaders were invited," news agency ANI quoted a White House official as saying. The clarification followed reports that the US had invited General Munir, which triggered political backlash in India. The Congress party termed it a "diplomatic setback", especially in light of Operation Sindoor — India's recent precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied-Kashmir (POK).advertisement
"It is reported that Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir has been invited to the event organised in Washington DC on the occasion of US Army Day (14 June). This news is a big setback for India from a diplomatic and strategic point of view," senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X. "This is the same person who used provocative and inciting language just before the Pahalgam terror attack - the question arises what is America's intention?" the Congress leader asked. Meanwhile, the BJP rejected these claims and accused Jairam Ramesh of "spreading misinformation" and "casting aspersion" on India's foreign policy. "Driven by his relentless animosity towards Prime Minister Modi, Jairam Ramesh irresponsibly amplified false claims alleging that Pakistan's Army Chief, General Asim Munir, was invited to the US parade," BJP IT Cell chief Amit Malviya posted on X. advertisement"In his eagerness to attack the prime minister, Ramesh not only spread misinformation but also cast aspersions on India's foreign policy, effectively echoing narratives that serve Pakistan's interests," he added. US MILITARY PARADEIn a rare display of military might, Washington is set to host a grand parade on Sunday to mark the founding of the US Army on June 14, 1775 — a date that also coincides with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. Trump is expected to take the salute at the of troops, tanks, helicopters, and parachutists will be part of the spectacle, alongside military displays are uncommon in the US, which lacks the tradition of annual military parades seen in countries like India or France. The last major military parade in the capital was over three decades ago, in 1991, after the Gulf War victory in Operation Desert Watch
