In a surprising diplomatic twist, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi reportedly skipped a meeting with former U.S. President Donald Trump during the recent NATO summit events in Washington D.C., due to concerns about a possible encounter with Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir.
According to a report published by Bloomberg, Indian officials were aware that General Munir might be present at the event and advised Modi to avoid the meeting altogether to sidestep a potentially tense situation.
The report highlighted that the Indian delegation was “uncomfortable” with the idea of both leaders being present at the same time, prompting a strategic cancellation from the Indian side.
The Bloomberg report claims this reflects the current high-stakes diplomatic sensitivities in South Asia, particularly after Pakistan’s vocal stance at international forums regarding Kashmir and the ongoing tension across the Line of Control (LoC).
Strategic Optics or Diplomatic Snub?
While Indian sources have tried to downplay the move, citing scheduling issues, analysts believe this was a calculated political decision to avoid sharing global optics with Pakistan’s top military leadership.
General Asim Munir has gained increasing visibility in international diplomacy since taking over as COAS, strengthening Pakistan’s military ties with the United States, China, and Middle Eastern allies.
This development raises fresh questions about India-Pakistan relations and the evolving power dynamics in South Asia.
