ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s foreign office on Monday rejected Indian allegations of “sabre rattling” as misleading, promising a “matching response” to any aggression by New Delhi.
India’s ministry of external affairs (MEA) accused Pakistan of “sabre rattling” and “irresponsibility” after media reports on remarks about nuclear threats in South Asia made by Pakistan’s army chief while on a visit to the United States (US).
Pakistan’s Field Marshal Asim Munir was said to have made the remarks at a black-tie dinner hosted by a Pakistani-origin businessman in Florida on Saturday, where he spoke to a crowd of more than 100 people.
An excerpt of his speech shared by Pakistani security officials did not include such remarks, while the foreign office in Islamabad said the Indian MEA’s statement was yet another demonstration of their “chronic tendency to distorting facts and twisting statements out of context.”
“The Indian narrative of an alleged ‘nuclear blackmail’ is a misleading and self-serving construct,” it said in a statement. “Pakistan remains firmly opposed to the use or threat of use of force. India’s sabre rattling and war mongering, whenever confronted, invite unfounded allegations bereft of rationality.”
India and Pakistan both possess nuclear weapons and fought their deadliest battle in decades in May, sparked by an attack on tourists the previous month in Indian-administer Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians.
“Nuclear sabre-rattling is Pakistan’s stock-in-trade,” Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson of India’s MEA, said, adding that it was regrettable that the reported remarks have been made while in a friendly third country.
“The international community can draw its own conclusions on the irresponsibility inherent in such remarks.”
In a version of the speech shared by Pakistani security officials, Munir said: “The (Indian) aggression has brought the region to the brink of a dangerously escalating war, where a bilateral conflict due to any miscalculation will be a grave mistake.”
The Pakistani army chief was on a visit to the US to attend a farewell event for General Michael Kurilla, the 15th commander of the United States Central Command. India previously lodged a private diplomatic protest with Washington when President Donald Trump hosted Munir for a lunch at the White House in June.
In its statement on Monday, the foreign office said Pakistan is a responsible nuclear weapon state with an elaborate command and control structure under full civilian control, and it has always exercised discipline and restraint while dealing with the issues of such importance.
“The Indian MEA’s spurious insinuations are irresponsible and without a shred of evidence,” it said. “We also note with concern a pointless reference to the third countries, in a bid to exert pressure on Pakistan. This not only reflects India’s lack of diplomatic confidence but also constitutes a futile attempt to unnecessarily involve other countries.”
Some analysts believe that India’s disagreement with Washington over the May 10 ceasefire with Pakistan, and Trump’s renewed engagement with Islamabad, have contributed to a recent setback in ties between New Delhi and Washington under the Trump administration.
Pakistan shall continue to act as a responsible member of the comity of nations, its foreign office reiterated.
“However, any act of Indian aggression or violation of Pakistan’s sovereignty and territorial integrity will be met with an immediate and matching response,” it said. “The onus of any ensuing escalation will rest squarely with the Indian leadership.”
