Tough questions await Pakistan army chief Asim Munir ahead of likely US visit

Pakistan may seek assurances from the United States regarding the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating from Afghanistan (AP Photo)

Pakistan’s chief of army staff (COAS) General Asim Munir will reportedly be in Washington DC for the US Army Day celebrations to be held on June 14, CNN-News18 reported citing top intelligence sources. He is expected to reach there on June 12, the report revealed.

The United States is expected to ask Pakistan to crack down on terrorist groups targeting Afghanistan and India. According to the report, the outreach seems to be linked to Washington’s rivalry with Beijing than any stance against India.

Pakistan’s strong ties with China through China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) have led the United States to doubt its neutrality in the region.

The visit would be a month after tensions between New Delhi and Islamabad escalated following the horrific Pahalgam attack, that claimed 26 lives, most of who were tourists. In response, India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

The on-ground hostilities from Indian and Pakistan sides that lasted for four days ended with an understanding of stopping the military actions following talks between the directors general of military operations of both sides on May 10.

According to the CNN-News18 report, Pakistan may seek assurances from the United States regarding the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) operating from Afghanistan. Historically, Pakistan has pushed for US mediation on a number of key issues, a move that India strongly resists. The report, citing sources, revealed that the US maintains its preference for bilateral dialogue and is not inclined to take on a mediatory role.

Pakistan is also expected to pursue its agenda on mediation in Kashmir and seek investments in its mineral resources, the report said. However, India has been clear in its stance that all issues have to be solved bilaterally with Pakistan.

Earlier, United States President Donald Trump had said that he would work with both India and Pakistan to find a solution “concerning Kashmir”. Following which, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India’s position on the union territory stands firm – all related issued must be settled bilaterally with Pakistan, and this remains unchanged.

“We have a long-standing national position that any issues pertaining to the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir have to be addressed by India and Pakistan bilaterally. That stated policy has not changed. As you are aware, the outstanding matter is the vacation of illegally occupied Indian territory by Pakistan,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said during a briefing.