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The army chief of nuclear-armed Pakistan has threatened to “take half the world down” if his country faces a threat. India’s former deputy national security advisor, Pankaj Saran, told Newsweek that such a statement is reckless and dangerous.
Saran stated, “It seems like one man’s decision to engage in saber-rattling. He doesn’t sound like a victorious general—rather, someone who is playing with fire and has personal grievances or deep-seated problems with India.”
The heightened tension between India and Pakistan follows their most intense clash in decades after a deadly attack on tourists in Kashmir that India blamed on Pakistan. Field Marshal Asim Munir made these threats during an event in Tampa, Florida.
Munir also threatened to destroy any dams India builds on the Indus River, which India suspended due to a water-sharing treaty following a Kashmir attack in April 2025.
Saran added, “He feels emboldened enough to make such statements sitting in the U.S., where he has been received twice in two months. How much support from Americans he thinks he can get is questionable.”
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs described Munir’s comments as “nuclear blackmail.” Neither Pakistan’s army nor foreign ministry immediately responded to requests for comment on Saran’s remarks.
These developments come at a time when Washington and New Delhi are already strained, with Trump announcing a 50% tariff on Indian imports over continued Russian oil purchases. India disputes that the May 2025 ceasefire was brokered by Trump.
The U.S. comments likely deepen annoyance in India, the world’s most populous nation, as it strengthens ties with China and Russia.
📚 Reading Comprehension Quiz
According to the passage, which of the following statements best describes Field Marshal Asim Munir's actions and threats?
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