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According to official photos, Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and FBI director Kash Patel posed when PM Shehbaz Sharif and President Donald Trump met on September 25
A handshake between FBI director Kash Patel (R) and Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir (L) has triggered strong reactions on the internet. (Image: @RoshanKrRaii/X)
Here’s another handshake (or non-handshake) controversy to ponder upon. A picture of Pakistani army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir and FBI chief Kash Patel shaking hands has gone viral, sparking an intense debate and strong reactions on the internet from Indians and the diaspora.
According to official photos released by the White House, which could not be separately confirmed by News18, Field Marshal Asim Munir and Kash Patel posed together during the meeting between Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and US President Donald Trump on September 25.
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As reported by Financial Express and Times of India, a majority of the reactions on the internet, especially from Indians and the Indian diaspora in the United States, were negative with many saying it is a betrayal to them. They juxtaposed Patel’s projection as a devout Hindu, who traces his roots to Gujarat, with that of someone warming up to a man, who has often indulged in harsh “anti-India” and “anti-Hindu” rhetoric in the past.Â
There were, however, some who dismissed the anger shown by desis, saying he, at the end of the day, is a US government official and prone to preserving American interests above all else. They said his cordial handshake with Field Marshal Munir highlights “how American foreign policy often prioritises strategic resources and short-term gains over moral clarity”. His gesture is a reflection of American “appeasement” of Pakistan “for crypto and rare earth minerals”, they added.
“While Munir openly calls for jihad against Hindus, the optics of such interactions reveal a disturbing willingness to appease adversarial actors for crypto deals and rare earth minerals,” an internet user said.
Internet users said at such a time, especially amid tariff tensions with the US, India should be self-reliant when it comes to diplomacy and national security.
“This reflects a recurring pattern in international politics — alliances and gestures are often dictated by economic and strategic interests, sometimes at the cost of ethical consistency. It underscores the importance of India remaining vigilant and self-reliant in its diplomatic and security strategies,” another internet user said.
A political science expert, Christopher Clary, wrote on X: “It’s very odd that Kash Patel came by for a handshake,” while another internet user said: “From ‘Jai Shree Krishna’ to ‘Valhalla’ and now Warmly Shaking Hands with J!#@d! like Asim Munir who openly calls for J!H@D against Hindus. Kash Patel’s transition is just reflection of the U.S politics and its foreign policy in sub-continent under the Trump administration. Which is to appease Pakistan for crypto and rare earth minerals.”
Before this, in June, it was Donald Trump who had met Field Marshal Munir at the White House.
WHEN DID THE PHOTO HAPPEN?
A report by Financial Express said the picture was taken when Shehbaz Sharif met with Trump at the White House alongside Munir.
The meeting was held at the Oval Office in Washington, DC, where Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio were also present. Further details of the exchange were not shared, but the President told the media before the meeting that a “great leader” was coming to the White House.
“In fact, we have a great leader coming, the prime minister of Pakistan coming, and the Field Marshal (of) Pakistan. Field Marshal is a very great guy, and so is the prime minister, both. And they’re coming,” Trump said.
The meeting continued for approximately one hour and 20 minutes. Post-meeting photos showed both the Pakistan PM and army chief exchanging views with Trump, who flashed his signature thumbs-up sign during a group photo.
During his meeting with Sharif and the Pakistani army chief, the President discussed regional security, counter-terrorism cooperation and other issues.
Sharif is the first Pakistani PM to visit the White House in six years. A day later, at the United Nations, he described Trump as a “man of peace” for his “sincere efforts” to end conflicts around the globe and lauded his “courageous and decisive” leadership in facilitating a ceasefire between Pakistan and India.
Trump’s embrace of Pakistan marks a shift after his predecessor Joe Biden kept the country at arm’s length, alarmed by Islamabad’s relationship with the Taliban during the two-decade US war in Afghanistan.
On September 26, New Delhi said it has taken note of the meeting while asserting that there is no scope for any third-party involvement in its discussions with Pakistan on issues such as terrorism, as it believes they must remain bilateral.
(With agency inputs)
About the Author
Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st…Read More
Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st… Read More
September 29, 2025, 18:04 IST
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