Pakistan’s army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, has reportedly issued a nuclear threat against India while speaking in the United States, warning that Islamabad would “take half the world down” if faced with an existential threat from New Delhi.
Speaking at a black-tie dinner in Tampa, Florida, hosted by businessman and honorary consul Adnan Asad, Munir told attendees, “We are a nuclear nation. If we think we are going down, we’ll take half the world down with us.”
The comments mark the first known instance of a nuclear threat being delivered from US soil against a third country.
On his second visit to the US in two months, following the four-day conflict with India, Munir targeted New Delhi over control of the Indus River. “We will wait for India to build a dam, and when it does so, we will destroy it with ten missiles,” he said.
“The Indus river is not the Indians’ family property… We have no shortage of missiles, Alhumdulillah,” Munir was quoted as saying by ThePrint, citing sources.
Comparison between India and Pakistan
While addressing the Pakistani community in Tampa, Munir compared the two countries, saying, “India is shining a Mercedes coming on a highway like Ferrari, but we are a dump truck full of gravel. If the truck hits the car, who is going to be the loser?”
Munir also claimed that India is trying to project itself as a world leader, but “in reality, it is far from it.” He cited the killing of a Sikh leader in Canada, the arrest of eight Indian naval officers in Qatar, and the Kulbhushan Jadhav case as “irrefutable evidence” of India’s alleged involvement in terrorism internationally.
Meetings with US leaders
During the visit, Munir met senior US political and military leaders, as well as members of the Pakistani diaspora.
In Tampa, he attended the retirement ceremony of outgoing US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Michael Kurilla and the change of command ceremony for Admiral Brad Cooper, who has taken over as CENTCOM head.
Munir praised Kurilla’s leadership and contribution to US-Pakistan military relations, and wished Cooper success in addressing shared security challenges.
He also held talks with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, and invited him to visit Pakistan.
Munir met defence chiefs from friendly countries on the sidelines of the events.
This visit follows his rare five-day trip to the US in June, during which he attended a private luncheon with President Donald Trump. That meeting led to announcements of increased US-Pakistan cooperation, including an oil deal.
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