- Former RAW Chief A.S. Dulat acknowledged the lack of concrete evidence linking Pakistan to the Pahalgam attack
- Dulat praised Pakistan’s hospitality
- He urged India and Pakistan to engage in direct dialogue
Amarjit Singh Dulat, the former head of India’s top intelligence agency — the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) — has termed Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir’s luncheon meeting with former US President Donald Trump as a moment of great importance, extending congratulations to Pakistan on the development.
Speaking during an event at King’s College while discussing his new book *The Chief Minister and the Spy*, Dulat said: “Congratulations to Field Marshal Asim Munir and to the people of Pakistan. He should now consider meeting Prime Minister Modi at Hyderabad House, and perhaps visit Amritsar as well. I believe rigid stances can be softened. Remember, in 2015, Modi attended the wedding of Nawaz Sharif’s granddaughter in Pakistan. Things can improve — someone just needs to take the first step. Imran Khan is in jail; perhaps Field Marshal Munir or Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif could initiate this.”
The former RAW chief acknowledged the current deadlock in India-Pakistan relations, especially following a recent conflict, but expressed optimism for change. Referring to the luncheon in Washington, he remarked, “Whoever made that meeting happen should now aim to arrange one in Delhi too. If such an engagement is possible in Washington, why not in the Indian capital?”
Dulat highlighted that Field Marshal Munir’s extended visit to the White House, including time in the Cabinet Room and the Oval Office, was an unprecedented diplomatic milestone. “This kind of access is rare and significant. It’s a major win for Pakistan. But don’t stop there — come to India as well.”
He added that while India enjoys strong relations with the United States, Pakistan has also consistently made progress in its bilateral ties with Washington. “That’s why the Field Marshal was there,” he stated.
Calling for direct dialogue between India and Pakistan, Dulat stressed the importance of avoiding conflict. “War is not an option — the recent standoff lasted just four days, and thankfully so.”
Addressing the recent tensions sparked by the Pahalgam attack, he admitted there was no direct evidence linking Pakistan. “Sometimes there just isn’t evidence. Had the attackers been caught, we might have had something concrete — but they vanished, as they often do. In India, there’s a strong belief that Pakistan was involved. It was also an intelligence lapse — and such things happen everywhere.”
He further commented that Prime Minister Modi’s decision to respond militarily was both politically motivated and a necessity, but reiterated that war remains a dangerous path.
Dulat also spoke warmly about Pakistan and its people, saying, “I may be the only intelligence chief who visited Pakistan four times after retirement — between 2010 and 2012. The hospitality I experienced in Pakistan is unmatched. We simply cannot replicate it. I truly enjoyed my visits.”
He fondly mentioned his friendship with former ISI chief General Asad Durrani, describing him as a close and respected friend.
During the high-profile meeting at the White House, Field Marshal Munir praised Donald Trump for his constructive and effective role in helping to facilitate a ceasefire between India and Pakistan following last month’s conflict. The luncheon was attended by Trump’s aides, including Secretary of State Senator Marco Rubio and US Special Representative for Middle Eastern Affairs Steve Witkoff, while Munir was accompanied by Pakistan’s national security adviser and interior minister.
Trump, in turn, commended Field Marshal Munir for his leadership and timely decisions during a tense period in South Asia. He also acknowledged Pakistan’s efforts for regional peace and appreciated the country’s ongoing cooperation in counter-terrorism initiatives.
