That the Pakistani Field Marshal is belting out threats openly in public fora, on American soil, without being pulled up by any authority, either in Pakistan or in the US, does it imply some sort of silent approval? Is the common man in Pakistan in agreement, as well, one doubts? Whom is this rhetoric meant to appease? With its failed economy, living on doles from one or the other, is Pakistan allowing itself to become the new hotbed of global conflict? It will surely be at the expense of its own people, first and foremost – Editor.
Overall, the Indian Nuclear Doctrine sends a clear message of resolve, strength, and capability to the enemy. Nuclear weapons are weapons of war. They are offensive weapons that can cause tremendous damage. India, not only possesses the weapons, but also possesses the resolve. Since the resolve is firm, the deterrence is strong. Let no one make the mistake to challenge that.
Two events have taken place in the last few days, both involving Pakistan and the US. One has been widely publicised and the other remains comparatively obscure. The timing of these events is unlikely to be a coincidence and clearly indicate a larger game that is likely to unfold in South Asia. Both need to be looked at separately and the implications analysed collectively.
The 9th August Threat!!
Field Marshal Asim Munir is on his second visit to US in two months. This time he went to Tampa, Florida to attend a retirement function for General Michael Erik Kurilla, the outgoing CENTCOM Commander on 9th August 2025. He also welcomed his successor, Admiral Brad Cooper and met with Chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, inviting him to visit Pakistan to further bilateral military cooperation. His engagements reflect a renewed phase in Pakistan-US relations, with both countries now pursuing deeper military collaboration.
Later at a black-tie dinner hosted by a Pakistani-origin businessman attended by more than 120 guests where the Field Marshal spoke in a most immature and irresponsible manner making threats that should concern not only India but the whole world.
Guests invited to the function were not allowed to carry cell phones or other digital devices, and therefore the contents of the speech were reconstructed from the memory of several participants who were present.
Field Marshal Asim Munir, threatened to plunge the world into nuclear war should his country face an existential threat in a future war with India, saying “we are a nuclear nation, if we think we are going down, we’ll take half the world down with us.”
He also commented on the Indus Waters Treaty, saying India’s decision to hold it in abeyance could put 250 million at risk of starvation. “The Indus River is not the Indians’ family property, we have no shortage of missiles, we will wait for India to build a dam, and when it does, we will destroy it with ten missiles.”
The Pakistan Army Chief spoke from prepared notes, often breaking into Urdu to reiterate a point or quote from the Quran for the benefit of the 120 Pakistani diaspora in the audience. He also said, “India is a shining Mercedes coming down a highway, but we are a dump truck full of gravel. If the truck hits the car, who is going to be the loser?”
“We will start from India’s East, where they have located their most valuable resources, and then move Westwards,” Field Marshal Munir said.
Declaration of the Balochistan Liberation Army as a Terrorist Organisation
Back-to-back from Asim Munir’s unwarranted statement, in a significant move, the U.S. designated the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), and its Majeed Brigade as foreign terrorist organizations, a gesture seen as a win for Pakistan amid rising tensions with India and strategic interests in the mineral-rich region. Both China and USA have been eyeing Balochistan for its mineral reserves and specially so the U.S. due to its proximity to Iran. Such a declaration will have widespread implications for the region in general and the people of Balochistan in particular.
Takeaways for India and the World
Overall, such developments make the world a more dangerous place, dark war clouds covering the sub-continent with a power hungry and immature General heading the Pakistan Army. Now, not only terrorist actions but even a full-scale military offensive cannot be ruled out.
To begin with it sounds like the rhetoric, a man full of himself and blowing his own trumpet. That may be so, but the place and the timing suggest more. He was at a very high comfort level, to say what he wanted to in the US. This extraordinary remark may be the first nuclear threat to be publicly delivered from a third countries soil. Therefore, such statements made from American soil clearly indicates their backing to every word spoken by Field Marshal Asim Munir or can be seen as a calculated insult. It also clearly signifies that America’s cosying up to New Delhi was a passing phase even though the US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said Washington’s diplomatic relation with both Pakistan and India “remains unchanged”, and the US is “committed to both nations.” Clearly, America remains an unreliable partner, who only looks at the world through its prism.
Coming back to Munir, his two catch words, first, if Pakistan faces an existential threat, it gives a clear indication that he expects the Indian Defence Forces to overrun his country. He is exposing his fear behind a façade, over what he expects or what is likely to happen.
Secondly, which half of the world does he plan to destroy with his nuclear bombs? How exactly has he chosen the division, by latitude or longitude. Whichever way he plans it, it will include America or American allies, because nuclear fallout does not understand international boundaries. But seriously, what does he mean? It appears to be a direct threat to India and an oblique threat to Iran and Israel.
So, is it Iran that is the game changer? The US wants Pakistan’s support against Iran and its geographical positioning permits it. Pakistan on the other hand indirectly governed by a religious fanatic like Asim Munir is more than willing to bite the bait because it gives him an opportunity to target the Shia Muslim state. A win-win for both.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) sharply criticized the ‘irresponsibility inherent in such remarks’ and said ‘nuclear Sabre-rattling is Pakistan’s stock in trade’.
While David Vance a British political commentator and author said, “The comments made are absolutely scandalous and disgraceful. They are reckless. Saying things like attacking India and having a nuclear exchange are insane.”
How does Balochistan suddenly figure into this calculus. The BLA has been a thorn in the side of the Pakistan Army since long. With the declaration of BLA as a terrorist organisation the Pakistan Army now has the legal sanction to unleash its complete might onto Balochistan. The Army was only waiting for legitimacy and a chance which has now been given. The situation might lead another genocide in modern history, with all those who raise flags against human rights looking the other way and the press barred from reporting.
India too, figures into this calculus. When Field Marshal Asim Munir says I will start from the East, it means he has already made his war plans on how, when, what and where to strike. He being a fanatic, needs the least excuse to do so. That excuse is what he plans to create in Balochistan. He will produce some fictitious evidence pointing at some Indian hand supporting the Baloch cause, and that will justify his reason to act against India. In doing so, he has already set the stage to get American support, by painting India as the aggressor and Pakistan as the oppressed. China’s support is obviously omnipresent.
Indian Response
The Indian Service Chiefs are not belligerent war mongers, who make provocative speeches all over the world. They are grounded professionals who believe in talking less and taking appropriate action more.
The Indian defence forces will have charted their own itinerary regarding defence preparedness and a suitable response as was witnessed recently during Operation Sindoor. It would therefore be foolish for Pakistan to even hint towards any offensive action.
To draw the World’s attention Pakistan periodically flashes the nuclear card, as if reminding everyone that they have the bomb. Post the Pahalgam terrorist attack, the Pakistani Minister Hanif Abbasi, warned that Pakistan’s arsenal, including Ghori, Shaheen, and Ghaznavi missiles along with 130 nuclear warheads, has been kept “only for India.”
It is no rocket science, that India has kept its nuclear arsenal as a deterrent. With our patience having run out, let the adversary be reminded of our immense nuclear capability, armed with resolve, and stated policy of massive retaliation to inflict unacceptable damage.
India’s nuclear doctrine is a hallmark of strategic restraint. For over two and a half decades, New Delhi’s commitment to No First Use (NFU) has earned it the global image of a responsible nuclear power. The doctrine contains adequate frameworks, crafted with flexibility to deter adversaries. In the given circumstances, it can always be reviewed, refined, and recalibrated and infused with conditional clarity and strategic ambiguity to speak the language our adversaries understand.
Conclusion
The U.S. is the only country that has used nuclear weapons against another nation. It was a terrible tragedy that left not only the Japanese but also many Americans suffering from trauma related mental illness. It is in fact surprising, that the most powerful nation in the world, who has seen the fall out of a nuclear explosion first hand, now allows a rogue nation, to make provocative statements regarding destroying half the world, from its own soil.
The emerging regional security canvas warrants India to revisit and review its strategic deterrence capabilities to understand how a country balances deterrence and diplomacy in an increasingly dynamic world with escalating threats. Our military resolve needs to be backed by a strong deterrence of our Armed Forces in terms of their capabilities, training, doctrines, equipment, technology, manufacturing, and military cooperation with other nations. It will be prudent to enhance the capability of our military, maintain vigil, and not be lulled into a false sense of complacency. The more alert we are, the safer is our nation and our people.
Overall, the Indian Nuclear Doctrine sends a clear message of resolve, strength, and capability to the enemy. Nuclear weapons are weapons of war. They are offensive weapons that can cause tremendous damage. India, not only possesses the weapons, but also possesses the resolve. Since the resolve is firm, the deterrence is strong. Let no one make the mistake to challenge that.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maj Gen VK Singh, VSM was commissioned into The Scinde Horse in Dec 1983. The officer has commanded an Independent Recce Sqn in the desert sector, and has the distinction of being the first Armoured Corps Officer to command an Assam Rifles Battalion in Counter Insurgency Operations in Manipur and Nagaland, as well as the first General Cadre Officer to command a Strategic Forces Brigade. He then commanded 12 Infantry Division (RAPID) in Western Sector. The General is a fourth generation army officer.
Major General Jagatbir Singh was commissioned into 18 Cavalry in December 1981. During his 38 years of service in the Army he has held various command, staff and instructional appointments and served in varied terrains in the country. He has served in a United Nations Peace Keeping Mission as a Military Observer in Iraq and Kuwait. He has been an instructor to Indian Military Academy and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. He is a prolific writer in defence & national security and adept at public speaking.
