The United States on Sunday categorically denied reports that Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, had been invited to the ongoing military parade in Washington, held to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the US Armed Forces.

“This is false. No foreign military leaders were invited,” a White House official was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

The clarification came amid a political storm in India, triggered by reports claiming General Munir had received an invitation to the event.

The Congress party described it as a “diplomatic setback” for India, especially following Operation Sindoor — India’s recent precision strikes on terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir (POK).

“It is reported that Pakistani Army Chief General Asim Munir has been invited to the event organised in Washington DC on the occasion of US Army Day (14 June). This news is a big setback for India from a diplomatic and strategic point of view,” Congress leader Jairam Ramesh posted on X.

He further questioned US intentions, stating, “This is the same person who used provocative and inciting language just before the Pahalgam terror attack — the question arises what is America’s intention?”

The BJP, however, dismissed these remarks, accusing Ramesh of spreading falsehoods and undermining India’s foreign policy.

“Driven by his relentless animosity towards Prime Minister Modi, Jairam Ramesh irresponsibly amplified false claims alleging that Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, was invited to the US parade,” BJP IT Cell head Amit Malviya posted on X.

“In his eagerness to attack the prime minister, Ramesh not only spread misinformation but also cast aspersions on India's foreign policy, effectively echoing narratives that serve Pakistan’s interests,” he added.

Meanwhile, reports of General Munir’s purported visit to Washington also drew protests from the Pakistani diaspora in the US. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan’s party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), announced demonstrations in the capital during Munir’s alleged visit.

PTI’s Secretary for Overseas Affairs, Sajjad Burki, urged Pakistani-Americans to gather outside the Pakistan Embassy in Washington on June 14, saying, “Let the White House know that any deal with this government is not acceptable to the people of Pakistan.”

US military parade

Washington is staging a rare show of military strength on Sunday to mark the US Army’s founding on June 14, 1775 — a day that also marks former President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. Trump is expected to take the salute at the event.

Thousands of troops, military tanks, helicopters, parachutists, and aerial flyovers are set to feature in the grand display.

The US does not typically hold large-scale military parades, unlike countries such as India or France. The last such event in Washington was in 1991, following the Gulf War victory under Operation Desert Storm.