The White House has denied reports that Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir was invited to the Washington Military Parade, calling the claims false. The parade, set for Saturday, is a major display of US military strength coinciding with President Trump’s birthday. The misinformation sparked political reactions in India, criticizing the BJP government’s response, while Pakistan’s attempt to use the false narrative for diplomatic gain backfired.
The White House has firmly rejected reports claiming that Pakistan’s military chief, General Asim Munir, received an invitation to the upcoming military parade in Washington, D.C. A White House official clarified, “This is false. No foreign military leaders were invited,” dispelling rumors that had sparked controversy.
Scheduled for Saturday, the Washington Military Parade is designed to be one of the largest displays of US military strength in decades. The event aims to showcase America’s defense capabilities and bolster President Donald Trump’s public image. The parade will commemorate the founding of the US Army on June 14, 1775, marking the beginning of organized military resistance against British colonial rule a year before American independence was achieved.
Coinciding with President Trump’s 79th birthday, the parade will feature thousands of troops marching in formation, supported by dozens of tanks, helicopters, and parachutists. The event also includes flyovers of fighter jets, making it a rare and grand spectacle for the US capital.
Unlike countries such as India and France, the US does not regularly hold military parades. The last major military celebration in Washington took place in 1991, known as the National Victory Celebration, marking the end of the First Gulf War, or Operation Desert Storm, when the US-led coalition liberated Kuwait from Iraqi occupation.
The denial of General Asim Munir’s invitation has stirred political commentary in India. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh described the initial reports as a “huge setback for Indian diplomacy.” Similarly, the Shiv Sena-UBT, led by Uddhav Thackeray, published an editorial in its newspaper ‘Saamana’ criticizing the situation.
The editorial claimed that India suffered a diplomatic blow and framed the incident as a “deliberate attempt to weaken India’s fight.” It accused the BJP government of being uncritical supporters of President Trump, expressing disappointment over what it called insufficient outrage at the supposed invitation extended to Pakistan’s military chief.
These reactions highlight the sensitivity surrounding India-Pakistan relations and the importance of diplomatic gestures, especially in contexts where the US plays a key international role.
The spread of misinformation about Asim Munir’s invitation also affected Pakistan’s diplomatic positioning. Pakistan appeared to use the narrative to claim a form of one-upmanship over India.
This came after Pakistan’s delegation, led by former Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, failed to secure meetings with senior US officials above the rank of UnderSecretary. The false claim about the parade invitation was seen as an effort to boost Pakistan’s standing by creating an impression of preferential treatment, which was quickly disproved by the White House.
The incident has therefore become a significant embarrassment for Pakistan, undermining attempts to assert influence in Washington.
Beyond the diplomatic fallout, the parade itself holds symbolic importance. It celebrates the historic origins of the US Army and serves as a platform to demonstrate modern American military power.
The choice to hold such a large-scale parade after more than three decades reflects a shift in how the US wants to project strength both at home and abroad. While the event coincides with President Trump’s birthday, it also sends a message to allies and rivals about America’s defense readiness.
Though rare in American tradition, this military spectacle draws comparisons to established parades in countries like India’s Republic Day and France’s Bastille Day, where showcasing military might is an annual national event.
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