Huge blow to diplomacy: Cong on Trump-Munir lunch

The Congress on Thursday attacked the government after US President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir for lunch, saying it is a 'huge blow' to Indian diplomacy.
Congress general secretary in-charge of communications Jairam Ramesh said Field Marshal Asim Munir is not the Head of State or Head of government of Pakistan and is the Chief of Army Staff, yet he gets invited by Trump for lunch and receives much praise.
'This is the same man whose atrocious and inflammatory remarks formed the immediate backdrop to the brutal Pahalgam terror attacks orchestrated by the establishment over which he presides,' Ramesh said on X.
'It is a huge blow to Indian diplomacy (and huglomacy too),' he said, taking a swipe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Congress has been taking swipes at Modi, giving 'hugs' to foreign heads of state during his meetingas with them at international or bilateral engagements, using the term 'huglomacy' for it.
Meanwhile, Trump has said the two very smart leaders of India and Pakistan decided not to continue a war that could have turned nuclear, a first in weeks, he did not claim credit for stopping hostilities between the two neighbouring nations.
Trump made the remarks while speaking to the media in the Oval Office after hosting Munir for lunch at the White House.
Trump also said he was honoured to meet Munir.
When asked if Iran was discussed in his meeting with Munir, Trump said: Well, they know Iran very well, better than most, and they're not happy about anything. It's not that they're bad with Israel. They know them both, actually, but they probably, maybe they know Iran better, but they see what's going on, and he agreed with me.
'The reason I had him here, I want to thank him for not going into the war, ending the war. And I want to thank, as you know, Prime Minister Modi just left a little while ago, and we're working on a trade deal with India. We're working on a trade deal with Pakistan,' the president said.
'They were both here, but I was with Modi a few weeks ago. He was here actually, but now we speak to him. And I'm so happy that two smart people, plus you know, people on their staff too, but two smart people, two very smart people decided not to keep going with that war,' he said.

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US President Donald Trump and Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir had lunch at the White House on Wednesday (June 18). This is the first time that a US president has made such an invitation to the chief of the Pakistan Army. What's brewing? Should New Delhi be vigilant? read more US President Donald Trump and Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir had lunch at the White House on Wednesday (June 18). This is the first time that a US President has made such an invite to the head of the Pakistan Army who is not head of state. New Delhi will be undoubtedly watching the events with interest. While many in India had celebrated the return of Trump to the White House, others questioned whether it would be to New Delhi's benefit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But how worried should India be about the lunch? Let's take a closer look: What happened? Munir, who is on a five-day trip to the United States , has thus far received the red-carpet treatment. Trump at the luncheon was accompanied by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US Special Representative for the Middle East Steve Witkoff. Munir was accompanied by National Security Advisor Lt Gen Asim Malik, who is also the head of the intelligence agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Trump, speaking at the White House, said he wanted to thank Munir for not going to war with India. 'The reason I had him here, I want to thank him for not going into the war, ending the war (with India). And I want to thank, as you know, Prime Minister Modi,' he said. Asim Munir was recently promoted to Field Marshal. AFP Trump said that 'two very smart people decided not to keep going with that war'. 'That could have been a nuclear war. Those are two nuclear powers, big ones, big, big nuclear powers, and they decided (to end the conflict),' he added. 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