Washington/New Delhi, August 14: The U.S. State Department said it is aware of reports that Pakistan’s army chief, General Asim Munir, issued a nuclear threat while speaking on American soil last week, but referred queries to the government in Islamabad.
Munir, attending a dinner in the United States, was reported to have said: “We (Pakistan) are a nuclear nation; if we think we are going down, we’ll take half the world down with us.” The remark, described by Indian officials as unprecedented, drew sharp condemnation from New Delhi.
In an email response to CNN-News18, a State Department spokesperson said: “We are aware of these reports and would refer you to the Government of Pakistan regarding Chief of Army Staff Munir’s alleged remarks.”
India’s foreign ministry on Aug. 11 called the statement “nuclear sabre-rattling” and said it reinforced doubts over Pakistan’s nuclear command and control in a state “where the military is hand-in-glove with terrorist groups.” It also criticised the fact the remarks were made “from the soil of a friendly third country.”
India said it would not give in to “nuclear blackmail” and would take all steps necessary to protect national security.
Munir, who met U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House in June in an unusual move not extended to Pakistan’s president or prime minister, returned to the U.S. this month to attend the farewell of U.S. Central Command chief General Michael Kurilla.
Indian officials have voiced concern over Washington giving a platform to Munir for remarks they say carry global security implications, while the State Department has avoided direct comment on the substance of the threat.
