Former RAW chief Amarjit Singh Dulat has publicly congratulated Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, on his recent meeting with US President Donald Trump.
In an exclusive interview with Geo News at King’s College in London, Dulat hailed the luncheon between Munir and Trump as an important milestone for Pakistan, emphasizing the event’s significance in the context of US-Pakistan ties. He praised Munir and the people of Pakistan, underlining that such high-level encounters are unusual and constitute a significant diplomatic victory for Islamabad.
Dulat utilized the opportunity to call for additional diplomatic outreach, stating that Munir should now visit India and meet with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House, followed by a trip to Amritsar. Drawing on historical precedent, Dulat cited Modi’s 2015 travel to Pakistan to attend the wedding of Nawaz Sharif’s granddaughter, claiming that such gestures can help soften entrenched hardlines.
He emphasized that, given the current frozen state of India-Pakistan relations—particularly following the recent four-day conflict—initiatives from either side might pave the road for improved ties. Dulat commented, “Someone needs to bowl first.” Imran Khan is in prison. “The Field Marshal or Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif can do that.”
The former intelligence chief emphasized the importance of Munir’s two-hour meal at the White House, which included visits to the Cabinet Room and the Oval Office. Dulat referred to this as a “major development” and argued that if similar discussions can take place in Washington, they should be allowed in Delhi. He expressed optimism that Munir’s meeting with Trump will serve as an example for India and Pakistan to resume direct talks.
Dulat also reflected on his own experiences, saying that he is the only Indian intelligence head to have visited Pakistan four times after retirement, from 2010 to 2012. He lauded Pakistani hospitality and discussed his acquaintance with former ISI chief General Asad Durrani, emphasizing the power of human relationships to bridge barriers.
Regarding the latest dispute, Dulat noted that, while there is no clear evidence linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam terror incident, mistrust remains high in India. He hailed India’s subsequent Operation Sindoor, which targeted terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir, as a necessary, measured response, but repeated his conviction that India and Pakistan should avoid conflict.
Dulat urged for direct discussions between the two countries, stating that diplomatic engagement is the only realistic way ahead.
AS Dulat’s statements show a pragmatic and constructive outlook on India-Pakistan ties. He sees Munir’s travel to the United States as an opportunity for additional diplomatic progress and encourages reciprocal actions to warm bilateral ties, emphasizing the significance of discussion and peaceful engagement between the two nuclear-armed neighbors.
