Jairam Ramesh Slams US Over Invite to Pakistan Army Chief, Calls It Diplomatic Blow for India

New Delhi: Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh has launched a sharp attack on the United States for reportedly inviting Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, to the US Army Day celebrations scheduled for June 14. Ramesh termed the move a “huge diplomatic setback” for India, questioning the intent behind the US gesture at a time of heightened tensions following the deadly Pahalgam terror attack in April.

In a strongly-worded post on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Ramesh said, “This is the man who spoke in such incendiary and provocative language just before the Pahalgam terror attacks. What is the US really up to? This is another huge diplomatic setback for India.” The Pahalgam attack, which occurred on April 22, claimed the lives of 26 people, many of them tourists, and was widely condemned across the political spectrum.

This latest remark adds to a series of criticisms by the Congress leader aimed at Washington’s evolving engagement with Islamabad. Earlier, Ramesh expressed concern over a statement made by US Central Command (CENTCOM) chief Gen Michael Kurilla, who referred to Pakistan as a “phenomenal partner” in counter-terrorism during his testimony before the US House Armed Services Committee.

Sharing a Hindustan Times report on the statement, Ramesh posted, “Just now, the head of the U.S. Central Command called Pakistan a ‘splendid partner in the anti-terrorism campaign.’ What will our Prime Minister and his praise brigade say about this? Isn’t this a diplomatic blow for India?”