The escalating India-Pakistan war of words took a sharper turn after AIMIM MP Asaduddin Owaisi lashed out at Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir for his provocative nuclear remarks made on US soil. Owaisi, known for his candid and sharp political commentary, dismissed Munir’s statements as nothing more than the rhetoric of a “sadakchaap aadmi”, a term in Hindi roughly translating to a street thug or uncouth person.

Speaking to reporters, Owaisi expressed strong disapproval of Munir’s nuclear posturing, calling it condemnable and particularly inappropriate given that it was made in the United States, a country considered a strategic partner of India. “We also need to understand,” Owaisi added, “that with the constant threat we will have from the Pakistani Army and their deep state, we will have to increase our defence budget so that we can stay prepared.”

What Triggered the Exchange?

The confrontation began after General Asim Munir reportedly made a series of aggressive nuclear threats during a retirement event for General Michael Kurilla, the outgoing commander of the US Central Command (CENTCOM), in Tampa, Florida. Munir allegedly declared:

“We are a nuclear nation, if we think we are going down, we’ll take half the world down with us.”

He reportedly went further, threatening to destroy Indian infrastructure, especially dams, with missile attacks. “We will wait for India to build a dam, and when it does, phir 10 missile sey faarigh kar dengey [we will destroy it with 10 missiles]. The Indus River is not the Indians’ family property. Humein missilon ki kami nahin hai, al-Hamdulillah [we have no shortage of missiles, Praise be to God],” he said.

Munir also allegedly described Pakistan’s nuclear strike plan in chilling detail, claiming that attacks would start in India’s east—where he suggested the country’s most valuable resources are concentrated—before moving westwards. Using a rather crude analogy, he compared India to a shining Mercedes and Pakistan to a dump truck full of gravel, implying that a collision would cause severe damage regardless of who was more advanced.

India’s Firm Response

In reaction to Munir’s comments, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a sharp rebuttal, rejecting any form of nuclear blackmail. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal stated:

“Nuclear sabre-rattling is Pakistan’s stock-in-trade. The international community can draw its own conclusions on the irresponsibility inherent in such remarks, which also reinforce the well-held doubts about the integrity of nuclear command and control in a state where the military is hand-in-glove with terrorist groups.”

This official response highlights India’s longstanding concerns about the military-terror nexus in Pakistan and the instability of its nuclear governance.

Owaisi’s Political Punch

Owaisi’s intervention adds a domestic political layer to the diplomatic row. Known for his straightforward political jabs, Owaisi did not mince words when criticising Munir, making it clear that such rhetoric from Pakistan only strengthens India’s resolve to bolster its defence preparedness. His comment about increasing India’s defence budget also aligns with calls from strategic analysts who argue that India must invest heavily in military modernisation to counter both conventional and nuclear threats from Pakistan.

Strategic Implications

This episode underscores the fragile security environment in South Asia, where nuclear weapons are not just deterrence tools but often serve as instruments of political signalling. The incident also raises concerns about responsible nuclear stewardship, especially in a country like Pakistan, where the military holds significant political sway.

India’s decision to publicly reject Munir’s threats reflects its no-nonsense stance on nuclear intimidation and its broader policy of projecting strength in the face of cross-border hostility.

Conclusion

The war of words between Owaisi and Munir may seem like a political spat, but it taps into a deeper and more dangerous narrative—the volatility of India-Pakistan relations, particularly when nuclear rhetoric enters the picture. With both countries possessing nuclear arsenals, such statements not only increase tensions but also invite greater international scrutiny.

For India, the message is clear: nuclear threats will not dictate policy, and the country will continue to fortify its defences against any aggression, rhetorical or real.

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