- India’s geography will be changed if it tries mishap: Asif.
- Says New Delhi is now facing embarrassment on foreign fronts.
- Pakistan achieved “very reputable status” in the region: the defense czar.
Defense Minister Khawaja Asif warned on Monday that India would become a part of history and its geography would be changed if it attempts a future mishap against Pakistan.
The Minister of Defense made the hard-hitting remarks below Pakinomist news program”capital city talk” in the backdrop of the recent provocative statement by Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi.
Taking exception to the Indian army chief’s recent provocative remarks, the defense czar said Gen Dwivedi was trying to “regain his lost respect” after the humiliating defeat in the 19-day military conflict spanning from April 22 to May 10, 2025.
In response to the Indian aggression, Pakistan’s armed forces launched a large-scale retaliatory operation, dubbed “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos”, targeting several Indian military targets across multiple regions.
Pakistan shot down eight Indian fighter jets, including Rafales, and dozens of drones. After at least 87 hours, the war between the two nuclear-armed nations ended on May 10 with a cease-fire agreement brokered by the United States.
“As a nation, India believes its esteem has been damaged,” Asif said.
The minister said that New Delhi is now facing embarrassment on the foreign fronts, adding that Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka, which India had considered as its “extension”, did not enjoy the same relationship with it as before.
On the other hand, he said Pakistan achieved “a very reputable status” in the region, adding that it is difficult for New Delhi to digest.
When asked about a possible link between India and Israel against Pakistan, the minister said that Tel Aviv does not want anyone more powerful in this region than its partner, India.
He maintained that there could be a similarity in the goals of India and Israel.
To another question, the minister said there is a divide between India’s military and civilian leadership.
He referred to conflicting statements by Indian Army Chief and RSS General Secretary Dattatreya Hosabale.
Last week, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale, considered the organisation’s second-highest leader, had said that India should continue diplomatic engagement with Pakistan.
To another query, the minister said that the Indus Waters Treaty had been functioning successfully for the last 66 years, adding that it was one of the oldest agreements and contains a dispute settlement mechanism.
He also welcomed a fresh award by the arbitral tribunal under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), saying the verdict was in favor of Pakistan.
The Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) at The Hague had upheld its earlier ruling supporting the continued validity of the IWT, ruling that India could not unilaterally suspend the agreement.
