Pakistan's top military commander delivered stark nuclear threats against India while visiting American soil, escalating diplomatic tensions between the South Asian nuclear rivals.
Field Marshall Asim Munir, Pakistan's army chief of staff, made the provocative remarks Sunday during a gathering of the Pakistani community in Tampa, according to Newsweek. His comments were widely reported by Indian media outlets, prompting New Delhi to condemn what it called "nuclear blackmail" on Monday.
The threatening statements come despite a ceasefire that followed intense military confrontation between the two nations in Kashmir in May. Munir's visit marks his second trip to the United States in two months, occurring amid broader warming ties between Washington and Islamabad.
Nuclear Escalation Threats Emerge
"We are a nuclear nation; if we think we are going down, we'll take half the world down with us," Munir declared, according to Indian news site ThePrint. The Pakistani official also threatened to destroy "with 10 missiles" any dam India constructs on the Indus River, referencing planned Indian dam projects that Pakistan claims threaten its water security.
Munir praised Pakistan's response to Operation Sindoor, India's military operation launched following the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir that killed 26 people and injured 20 others. Pakistan denies supporting the militants accused of carrying out the deadly assault.
"A bilateral conflict due to any mistake by India would be a huge blunder," Munir warned, though Newsweek could not independently verify these quotes.
India Condemns Nuclear Blackmail
India's External Affairs Ministry swiftly responded with a public statement condemning the remarks as irresponsible. "Nuclear sabre-rattling is Pakistan's stock-in-trade," the ministry declared, expressing regret that such statements were made "from the soil of a friendly third country."
The ministry emphasized that India "will not give in to nuclear blackmail" and would "continue to take all steps necessary to safeguard our national security." Indian officials characterized Pakistan's threats as part of a pattern of dangerous rhetoric.
India's former deputy national security advisor Pankaj Saran called Munir's comments "reckless and dangerous" in an interview with Newsweek. He questioned whether the Pakistani official felt emboldened by perceived American support for his country.
Strategic Implications for Regional Powers
The nuclear threats highlight persistent tensions despite recent diplomatic efforts in the disputed Kashmir region. Pakistan has nominated President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for his claimed diplomatic role during the recent Kashmir conflict, though India has contradicted Trump's assertions about brokering peace.
Current U.S.-India relations face strain over trade disputes, with Trump imposing tariffs on Indian goods while simultaneously warming relations with Pakistan. This dynamic could jeopardize strategic U.S.-India alignment, particularly regarding shared concerns about China's regional influence.
The timing of Munir's visit coincides with Pakistan's status as a major non-NATO ally to Washington since 2004, despite Pakistan's close ties with China.
Broader Regional Security Concerns
India's External Affairs Ministry statement raised concerns about "the integrity of nuclear command and control in a state where the military is hand-in-glove with terrorist groups." This reference underscores longstanding Indian accusations about Pakistani military connections to militant organizations.
Saran emphasized the potential consequences for American interests in the region, warning that continued escalation would not benefit either U.S. or Indian strategic goals. He described the Pakistani threats as "unnecessary, unprovoked, and uncalled for."
Washington's apparent warming toward Islamabad, despite Pakistan's Chinese partnerships, could significantly influence India's foreign policy calculations amid existing regional tensions with China. The U.S. State Department and India's External Affairs Ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the specific threats made on American soil.
