Fear of COAS Munir’s presence led Modi to avoid Trump meeting: Bloomberg

American magazine Bloomberg has reported unease in New Delhi over the growing global profile of Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir. The publication revealed that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi declined a White House meeting with Donald Trump amid concerns the US president might arrange an encounter with Munir.

The tensions followed a May ceasefire between India and Pakistan, which Trump publicly claimed to have brokered, saying he had prevented a “nuclear war.” Indian diplomats disputed his account, insisting the truce was negotiated directly between New Delhi and Islamabad.

According to Bloomberg, Modi became cautious after learning Trump had invited Munir to lunch at the White House. While India had no objection to engaging Pakistan’s civilian leadership, meeting Munir was seen as granting the Pakistani military international legitimacy. Modi instead continued with a scheduled visit to Croatia.

Officials in New Delhi noted that after Modi’s phone call with the US President, the White House’s tone shifted, with Trump openly criticising India, a sign of worsening bilateral relations.

Read more: Field Marshal to embark on second US trip

After an end to military conlfict between the nuclear-armed neighbours in May, Trump repeatedly claimed that he had brokered a ceasefire between Pakistan and India.

He also confirmed that Pakistan had shot down Indian jets. However, India refuted his claims, which strained the relationship between the two nations.

Relations further soured when the US imposed tariffs of up to 50% on India for importing Russian oil, a move New Delhi has so far defied. Additionally, Trump also referred to both countries' economies as "dead."

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When Trump was elected, it was believed that the Modi government was trying to appease the new administration by agreeing to repatriate thousands of Indian immigrants from the US.

However, the relationship quickly soured after New Delhi continued to deny Trump's role in the Pakistan-India ceasefire, even as he repeatedly and proudly asserted his involvement.