‘Betrayal’: Why Kash Patel’s handshake with Asim Munir has upset the Indian diaspora

Kash Patel, who celebrated his swearing-in as FBI Director with a touch of Indian tradition, invoking “Jai Shree Krishna,” touching his parents’ feet, and swearing on the Bhagavad Gita, is now at the centre of a growing backlash.

A photograph of him shaking hands with Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, during a White House meeting a few days ago, has gone viral and stirred controversy.

While Trump’s hospitality towards Pakistan’s leadership was expected, Patel’s warm greeting with Munir caught many off guard. For many Indians, both at home and abroad, the handshake felt like a betrayal.

Here’s what happened.

Backlash from the Indian diaspora 

The controversial photo was taken during a White House meeting where Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif met with President Trump, joined by Army Chief Asim Munir. The Oval Office gathering also included Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

It was during this meeting that Patel shook hands with Munir, a gesture that immediately drew criticism.

Critics pointed out the contrast between Patel’s image as a devout Hindu, with roots in Gujarat, and the controversial legacy of Munir, who has made statements considered “anti-India” and “anti-Hindu.”

Munir has previously openly advocated for the Two-Nation Theory, which claims Hindus and Muslims are fundamentally separate.

“Our forefathers believed that we were different from Hindus in every possible aspect of life. Our religion is different. Our customs are different. Our traditions are different. Our thoughts are different. Our ambitions are different,” Munir said at the Convention for Overseas Pakistanis just months ago.

Patel, on the other hand, has long defended Hindu identity publicly, including championing the Ram Mandir as a 500-year civilisational struggle.

Jai Shri Krishna…….

How @Kash_Patel began his speech at his congressional hearing after first introducing his parents and sister from India….. pic.twitter.com/U9ateObPvS

— Alok Bhatt (@alok_bhatt) January 30, 2025

For many, the handshake seemed like a meeting of two irreconcilable worldviews.

Political science expert Christopher Clary commented on X, “It’s very odd that Kash Patel came by for a handshake.”

It’s very odd that Kash Patel came by for a handshake. https://t.co/aG9nj1NiHD

— Christopher Clary (@clary_co) September 28, 2025

While another 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 a reflection of U.S. politics and its foreign policy in the subcontinent under the Trump administration. Which is to appease Pakistan for crypto and rare earth minerals.”

Supporters defend Patel

Some, however, defended Patel, saying the outrage from the Indian diaspora was misplaced. As a US government official, his primary responsibility is to protect American interests, they argued.

They noted that the handshake with Field Marshal Munir shows “how American foreign policy often prioritises strategic resources and short-term gains over moral clarity,” describing it as part of the US’s “appeasement” of Pakistan “for crypto and rare earth minerals.”

Others cautioned against conflating Patel’s personal beliefs with his official duties.

One netizen wrote, “Don’t mix his personal belief with his Govt stand and policy.” Another added, “What’s wrong with shaking hands with Asim Munir? He is an American citizen and works for his government. He has to do what is best for his government. Even if Americans don’t get anything in return from Pakistan, they would still shake hands with them during a bilateral summit.”

Trump hosts Pakistan leadership, calls Munir ‘a great guy’

The controversy comes amid signs of warming ties between the US and Pakistan. President Trump hosted Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif and Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir at the White House earlier this month.

Ahead of the meeting, Trump told the media, “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.”

The meeting lasted around an hour and 20 minutes. Official photos showed Trump exchanging views with Sharif and Munir, flashing his signature thumbs-up during a group photo. Discussions reportedly covered regional security, counter-terrorism cooperation, and other strategic issues.

Meanwhile, New Delhi is feeling the pressure of perceived cooling in India–US relations under the Trump administration. India faces steep tariffs of up to 50 per cent on exports compared with Pakistan’s 19 per cent, while Trump has courted Islamabad with trade incentives, energy cooperation, and high-profile photo opportunities. The perception of favouritism has unsettled India at a sensitive moment.

Earlier in May 2025, Trump claimed credit for “brokering” a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. India, however, insisted it was a direct military agreement. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh dismissed Trump’s claim as baseless, and the Ministry of External Affairs issued a detailed rebuttal denying any foreign influence.

With input from agencies

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