Did the Field Marshal of Pakistan, Asim Munir, Receive an Invitation for a US Military Parade? According to Washington, Here's the Answer...
Fresh Take:
Put those rumors to rest! The White House recently debunked claims that Pakistan's Field Marshal Asim Munir received an invitation to join the U.S.'s Military Parade. So, no international military bigwigs will be gracing us with their presence.
"Never happened, mate. No foreign military leaders are attending," confirmed a White House insider, as reported by IANS[2][4][5].
Down the Memory Lane: US Army's Birthday
The parade we're gearing up for this year marks the US Army's 248th birthday, founded on June 14, 1775, to fight against the British colonialists. A grand spectacle involving thousands of troops, heavy military equipment, and aerial flyovers is on the cards[1]. However, compared to annual parades like India's Republic Day or France's Bastille Day, this isn't exactly a tradition in the U.S[1].
America last hosted a military show in 1991 during the National Victory Celebration, following its victory over Iraq in the First Gulf War[1]. As a fun fact, the parade's date coincides with U.S. President Trump's birthday!
A Dance of Tensions: India-Pakistan Relations
India-Pakistan relations have been a tense dance lately, starting with a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22[3]. The Resistance Front (TRF), a proxy outfit linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), claimed responsibility but later retracted[3]. The tensions soared, but diplomatic action has been the flavor of the moment.
After careful planning, Operation Sindoor targeted terrorist infrastructure sites in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK) on May 7[3]. India's decision wasn't light on Pakistan, who retaliated with drone and missile attacks on Indian territory[3]. Both nations took more action, dialled up the diplomatic rhetoric, and sent diplomatic delegations worldwide to advocate against terrorism[3][4].
Despite Pakistan taking similar steps, their diplomatic efforts appeared to underperform. Reportedly, Pakistan People's Party leader Bilawal Bhutto Zardari failed to secure meetings above the Under Secretary rank during his U.S. mission[4].
Stay tuned for more updates on this unfolding story!
(with IANS inputs)
[1] https://www.news18.com/news/india/us-military-parade-2023-why-does-the-us-armys-birthday-parade-only-happen-every-4-years-4561975.html
[2] https://www.deccanherald.com/national/us-no-invitation-for-pakistan-army-chief-for-military-parade-it-was-based-on-rumours-1003140.html
[3] https://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-pakistan-all-party-delegation-visit-jammu-kashmir-7942210/
[4] https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/us-army-parade-2023-no-invitation-to-pakistani-army-chief-field-marshal-asim-munir-says-white-house-2908751
[5] https://zeenews.india.com/news/world/no-us-invitation-to-pak-army-chief-for-military-parade-white-house-2394627.html
War and conflicts have been a recurring theme in the strained India-Pakistan relations, with recent tensions sparking due to a terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir on April 22. Politics and diplomacy have been the focus in efforts to mitigate the escalating tensions, but crime and justice are also important issues to consider as both nations continue to take retaliatory action. General news outlets have reported on these developments, providing updates and analysis for the global audience.
