African American singer and long-time India admirer Mary Millben has hailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the “most influential and most important leader in geopolitics”, while urging the United States to recalibrate its approach towards India. Her remarks came during an interview where she also praised the outcomes of the recent Modi-Putin summit in New Delhi.

Millben praises PM Modi’s strategic diplomacy

Millben said the Prime Minister handled his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin with “strategic discipline”, particularly on sensitive areas such as defence and energy. She contrasted Modi’s diplomatic tone with Putin’s more direct focus on oil and defence cooperation.

According to her, the meeting reflected a “deep alliance” between India and Russia, one that should be understood within India’s growing global influence.

She emphasised that Modi’s decisions remain rooted in national interest:
“At the end of the day, the Prime Minister is going to do what is best for India.”

Calls out US approach, urges reset

Millben, who is closely connected with former US President Donald Trump’s team, criticised Washington’s recent approach to India on trade, calling it “too aggressive” and at times resembling “a bullying approach.”

She argued that such missteps have contributed to India deepening engagements with major global powers, including Russia and China.

Millben urged the US to view the Modi-Putin summit as a moment for introspection:
“Invite the Prime Minister to the United States, sit down, break bread, apologise, and repair the relationship.”

She suggested that rebuilding ties would also strengthen US interests, including efforts toward resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, adding that Modi is “the only leader who can really be a mediator.”

Modi’s global stature highlighted

Millben reiterated that PM Modi currently stands at the centre of global political dynamics:
“The Prime Minister… is to date the most influential and the most important leader in geopolitics. That’s irrefutable.”

She said Modi’s leadership and diplomatic outreach—on display during the recent summit—have “solidified his legitimacy and global confidence.”

US elections on global radar

The singer also noted that global leaders are watching the US election timeline closely, acknowledging that upcoming political developments in Washington could shape diplomatic strategies worldwide.

Millben expressed confidence in both Trump and Modi, saying their long-standing friendship could help repair ties if approached with sincerity.

Pakistan has named Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir as its first Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), marking a major restructuring in the country’s military command. The appointment was approved by President Asif Ali Zardari following a formal recommendation from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

Munir to hold dual charge as COAS and CDF

According to the President’s office, Munir will serve concurrently as Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) and Chief of Defence Forces for a five-year tenure. The creation of the CDF role — introduced under the 27th Constitutional Amendment — aims to centralise top-level military authority.

This decision comes after days of speculation due to delays in issuing the official notification, which was originally expected on November 29, the day Munir’s previous three-year term as army chief ended.

Former Indian security official Tilak Devasher had earlier commented to media that the Prime Minister appeared to be avoiding issuing the notification, leading to confusion within Pakistan’s military command structure.

Zardari also approves extension for Air Chief

Alongside Munir’s elevation, President Zardari approved a two-year service extension for Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar Sidhu, effective from March 2026. The President extended his best wishes to both officers.

Munir, promoted to Field Marshal earlier this year, becomes only the second military officer in Pakistan’s history to hold this rank — the first being Gen. Ayub Khan.

Former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has alleged that he is being “mentally tortured” in prison and held General Asim Munir responsible for his continued isolation, according to his sister Dr Uzma Khanum, who met him inside Rawalpindi’s Adiala Jail for 20 minutes.

Sister says Khan “angry” over isolation

Dr Khanum told reporters that her brother is allowed out of his cell only briefly and has no means of communication with the outside world. She said Khan expressed anger over the conditions in which he is being held, stating he remains confined all day with no access to his family or party members.

She also said Imran Khan directly blamed General Asim Munir — now seen as Pakistan’s most powerful authority, having consolidated military control and secured lifetime immunity for top officials — for the treatment he is receiving in custody.

Meeting follows weeks of denied access

The rare meeting came after weeks of barred family visits, which fuelled speculation about Khan’s health. His sisters earlier claimed they were assaulted when they sought permission to meet him, while his sons publicly alleged that jail authorities were concealing “something irreversible” about his condition.

One of his sons, Kasim Khan, told media that despite a court order for weekly family meetings, they had no direct or verified contact.

Family members also said prison authorities repeatedly refused entry to Imran Khan’s personal doctor.

Rumours and protests intensify

Before Tuesday’s meeting, neither his relatives nor his Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf colleagues had seen him for over 25 days, triggering widespread rumours of his death — speculation that officials did not counter with proof of life even as pressure mounted on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s government.

PTI’s Senator Khurram Zeeshan claimed Khan was being kept in isolation to force him into leaving Pakistan and accused authorities of withholding photos or videos due to fears over his influence.

The situation has sparked protests across Islamabad and Rawalpindi, including demonstrations outside the Islamabad High Court.

In jail since August 2023

Imran Khan, the 72-year-old former cricketer and World Cup-winning captain, has been incarcerated since August 2023. Rumours about his wellbeing first circulated from social media accounts in Afghanistan, at a time when both countries have been locked in military tensions over a border dispute.