Ex-Pentagon Official Says Asim Munir Should Be “Arrested, Not Honoured”; Seeks US Apology To India

Former US defence department official Michael Rubin has sharply criticised Washington’s engagement with Pakistan, saying Islamabad should be declared “a state sponsor of terrorism” and that army chief Asim Munir ought to be “arrested rather than honoured.”

Rubin, who served during the George Bush administration, was speaking to ANI about Munir’s visit to the White House earlier this year.

“There is no strategic logic for the United States embracing Pakistan. It should be designated a state sponsor of terrorism, period. If Asim Munir comes to the United States, he should be arrested rather than honoured,” he told ANI.

He added that the US needs to apologise to India for “mistreating” it over the past year.

Rubin argued that Washington’s approach had damaged ties with New Delhi.

“What we need is quiet diplomacy behind the scenes, and perhaps, at some point, a more vocal apology from the United States for the way we have treated India over the past year... President Donald Trump doesn't like to apologise, but the interests of the United States, world democracies are much more important than one man's ego, no matter how inflated it is,” he said.

Relations between Washington and New Delhi have faced strain.

The Trump administration imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian imports, and US officials have been publicly critical of India.

Tensions escalated further after Trump claimed credit for “ending the India-Pakistan conflict” triggered by the Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people.

India responded with Operation Sindoor, striking terror infrastructure inside Pakistan.

The three-day confrontation ended with Pakistan asking for a ceasefire on 10 May.

India is rejecting Trump’s repeated assertion that he mediated the truce.

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