The Indian National Congress has strongly criticized US President Donald Trump's recent lunch meeting with Pakistan's Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Field Marshal Asim Munir, calling it a "huge blow" to Indian diplomacy. The party alleges that Munir is the "mastermind" behind the brutal Pahalgam terror attack that resulted in the deaths of 26 people, mostly tourists, on April 22, 2025.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh expressed his dismay on X, noting that Munir, despite not being the head of state or government, was invited for lunch and received praise from Trump. Ramesh directly linked Munir's "atrocious and inflammatory remarks" to the Pahalgam attack, implying the Pakistan military establishment, over which Munir presides, orchestrated the assault.
The Pahalgam attack, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF), a front for the UN-proscribed Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba, involved extreme barbarity, with victims killed at close range in front of their families. India responded with "Operation Sindoor," targeting terror camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri cited the incident as the largest number of civilian casualties in a terrorist attack in India since the 2008 Mumbai attacks.
The Congress party's criticism extends beyond the lunch meeting itself. They have also targeted Trump's repeated claims of mediating a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following Operation Sindoor. Congress spokesman Pawan Khera demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi publicly refute Trump's claims. According to Indian officials, Modi has told Trump that there was no US mediation behind the ceasefire, with India and Pakistan having a bilateral mechanism in place.
Adding to the controversy, reports suggest that the Trump-Munir meeting was facilitated by Sajid Tarar, a Pakistani-American businessman and long-time Trump supporter. Tarar, founder of "American Muslims for Trump," has close ties with MAGA and has been a speaker at Republican National Conventions.
The meeting between Trump and Munir has raised eyebrows in diplomatic circles, especially given the timing. It occurred amidst heightened tensions between the US and Iran, with Field Marshal Munir conveying Pakistan's support for Iran while endorsing US efforts to de-escalate the conflict.
While some analysts see the meeting as a positive step in US-Pakistan relations, particularly given Trump's role in mediating a ceasefire, others view it with skepticism. Concerns have been raised about Trump's understanding of the complexities of India-Pakistan relations and the potential implications of engaging with a military leader accused of orchestrating terrorist activities against India.
The Congress party's sharp reaction reflects the deep concern within India about the message this meeting sends and the potential damage it could inflict on India's diplomatic efforts to isolate Pakistan on the issue of terrorism.
