'Look at the Timing...': White House Denies Asim Munir Visit, Slams Misreporting

"The rumour mill churned something out—and reporters in India ate it up," a White House official told The Quint.

Indian media outlets painted Asim Munir's visit as a "major diplomatic coup" for Pakistan, and by implication, a "snub to India". There was just one problem: it wasn’t true.

(Source: The Quint) 

Over the past few days, major Indian media outlets enthusiastically reported that Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir had been invited to Washington, DC, to attend the US Army's 250th anniversary celebrations—that coincide with US President Donald Trump's birthday—on 14 June.

The narrative painted the visit as a "major diplomatic coup" for Pakistan, and by implication, a "snub to India". There was just one problem: it wasn’t true.

An official working in the White House communications office, requesting anonymity, told The Quint,

"We never invited a foreign official... this is a celebration of 250 years of our Army and the United States of America."

Several reports wrongly noted that Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir was invited to attend the US Army celebrations on 14 June. 

(Source: Economic Times) 

(Source: India Today) 

(Source: Business Today) 

(Source: The News International) 

(Source: Mint) 

In their reports, CNN News-18 quoted 'top intelligence sources'; The Economic Times quoted Pakistani media outlet, The News International; and India Today, too, quoted unnamed 'sources.'

The fact that this claim was neither confirmed by US officials nor independently verified didn’t stop them from running it prominently, complete with dramatic headlines and strategic interpretations.

'Rumour Mill Churned Something Out...'

When asked about the rumours regarding widely circulated reports of Munir, who was elevated to Field Marshal post Operation Sindoor, attending the parade, the White House official added,

"If someone of that standing is to visit the United States, there are systems in place, information is put out in advance. The rumour mill churned something out—and reporters in India ate it up. Just look at the timing of it."

The reports had started coming a day after CENTCOM (United States Central Command) Commander General Michael Kurilla, speaking before the US House Armed Services Committee, highlighted Pakistan’s recent "counter-terrorism efforts", revealing that its military had captured "at least five ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K)" operatives based on US-provided intelligence. He used the opportunity to advocate for strong US ties with both India and Pakistan.

"Since the start of 2024, Pakistan has faced over 1,000 terrorist attacks in its western region, resulting in around 700 fatalities among security personnel and civilians, and injuring approximately 2,500," General Kurilla said.

"They are in an active counter-terrorism fight and have been a phenomenal partner in the counter-terrorism world," he added, pointing to ongoing Pakistani military operations against ISIS-K.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) was also careful its its weekly media breifing on 12 June by not referring to the alleged invitation to Munir directly.

When asked a two-part question about an alleged Canadian drug racket funding anti-India activities and the Field Marshal's visit, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said,

"Whether it is Canada or anybody anywhere else, we have made our point very clear. And our security concerns are important for us. And we expect our international partners to take into account our concerns and act accordingly."

Social Media Handles Made Similar Claims

Apart from news outlets, several social media handles, too, jumped on the bandwagon to make similar unverified claims.

Several social media outlets also claimed the same.

(Source:X/Screenshot) 

(Source:X/Screenshot) 

Most of the reports stated concerns about Munir's alleged visit merely weeks after the India-Pakistan standoff post New Delhi's Operation Sindoor, which was a response to the Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in 26 fatalities.

The Congress' Jairam Ramesh, too, criticised the US government for this alleged invitation as well as questioned the US' foreign policy approach in South Asia.