Pakistan’s army chief Aseem Munir is allegedly visiting the US this week. He will attend a ceremony held on Saturday (June 14) to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US Army at Washington DC. The US Army will organize a parade on the streets of the US capital on the occasion of 79th birthday of President Donald Trump. Pakistan’s Army Chief (COAS) Munir will be present at the ceremony more than a month after attacks and counter -attacks between India and Pakistan.
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America called Aseem Munir on Army Parade Day
Following the invitation from Washington, sources said Munir confirmed his appearance in the military parade on Saturday, which is also the 79th birthday of US President Donald Trump. His visit is taking place amid increasing tension between India and Pakistan. According to sources, Munir will also hold a meeting with senior officials of the US State Department and Pentagon during his visit. Neither Pakistan nor the US has confirmed high level military partnership. The yatra took place a few days after Munir was praised by a top US general. At the hearing of the Congress this week, the Chief General of the US Central Command (CentCom) Michael Kurilla called Pakistan a “unprecedented partner in the anti-terrorism world” and underlined Islamabad’s contribution to the operation against ISIS-Khorasan.
Reacting to Munir’s alleged visit, well-known analyst Michael Kugelman, a well-known analyst of South Asia, commented that a stopover card could be held in centcom. “He [मुनीर] And General Kurilla has met 3 times in less than 2 years. Kurilla praised him yesterday in Hill testimony. The US-Pak official-to-officer relationship is generally stronger, “Kugelman tweeted.
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India’s diplomacy fails?
Meanwhile, the US invitation to Munir has created sharp reactions in India. Congress Communication Head Jairam Ramesh described it as “another major diplomatic blow for India”. Ramesh said in an X post on Wednesday, “This is the same person who spoke such an inflammatory and inflammatory language just before the Pahalgam terror attack. 33 foreign capitals and all -party delegations in the European Union have been sent for the campaign.
Pakistani migrants also protested when Munir reached Washington
Pakistani migrants have also protested when Munir reached Washington. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has announced a demonstration in the US capital during the army chief’s visit. PTI’s Foreign Affairs Secretary Sajjad Burki tweeted, “Let the White House tell that no agreement with this government is not acceptable to the people of Pakistan.” Baraki urged Pakistani-Americans to join the protests outside the Pakistan Embassy in Washington on 14 June. Sources said that pamphlets have been distributed on a large scale in Pakistani-American areas across the city.
Why are Pakistan’s army chief going to America?
Aseem Munir’s visit to America amidst Pakistan’s tension with India has attracted attention. However, his journey has nothing to do with India, but a relationship with the evergreen friend of Islamabad. According to CNN-News18 report, Washington is suspicious of Pakistan’s neutrality due to Pakistan’s proximity with China through schemes such as Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Sources said that in view of the current geopolitical environment, the US cannot see Pakistan as “reliable or neutral intermediaries”. America opposed China’s growing influence in the world, especially in Asia.
India’s tension, restlessness for China
According to the report, the Trump administration may motivate Pakistan to take action against Afghanistan and terrorist groups targeting India during Munir’s visit. On his behalf, Islamabad can urge the US for assurance against Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), on which he uses Afghanistan’s land to attack Pakistan-an accusation that Kabul has rejected. Pakistan, rich in lithium, copper, gold and rare earth minerals, is eager to invest from foreign powers. This is happening because it is careful with the potential loan network associated with BRI of Beijing. With $ 15 billion, China is already Pakistan’s largest bilateral lender.
America will have to maintain relations with Pakistan and India: American General
A top US military official has said that Washington would have to maintain relations with both India and Pakistan. He clarified that there can be no “binary switch” in this case, in which Washington has a relationship with New Delhi, he cannot have a relationship with Islamabad. Commander General Michael Kurilla, Commander General of the US Central Command (St.com), on Tuesday made this comment during a full hearing on the topic of the “US military status and national security challenges Afrom+Stomom” before the Armed Service Committee of the US House of Representatives. Kurilla said, “We have to maintain relations with both Pakistan and India. I do not believe that it is a” binary switch “that if we have a relationship with India, we cannot have a relationship with Pakistan. We should consider its qualities-dosht to understand the positiveness of the relationship.”