India-West News Desk

TAMPA, FL – Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is on his second visit to the United States since the recent four-day conflict with India. While his official engagements have included meetings with top American political and military leaders, his trip has been filled by reports of inflammatory, India-focused statements made during a private event here.

According to multiple attendees at a black-tie dinner in Tampa hosted by Pak’s honorary consul —an event where mobile devices were banned—Munir issued a series of pointed threats against India, many invoking Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal. “We are a nuclear nation, if we think we are going down, we’ll take half the world down with us,” he reportedly said, in remarks that have drawn sharp condemnation from New Delhi.

The Pakistani military chief also targeted India over the Indus Waters Treaty, accusing it of endangering 250 million people. He warned that Pakistan would retaliate against any perceived treaty violations, declaring: “We will wait for India to build a dam, and when it does so, we will destroy it with 10 missiles. The Indus River is not the Indians’ family property. We have no shortage of missiles.”

In a series of analogies meant to portray the India-Pakistan relationship, Munir likened India to a “shining Mercedes” on a highway and Pakistan to a “dump truck full of gravel,” claiming that if the two collided, “India would be the loser.” He also threatened to “start from India’s East, where they have located their most valuable resources, and then move westwards.”

On August 11, Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal condemned the comments, calling them an example of “nuclear sabre-rattling,” which he said was “Pakistan’s stock-in-trade.” He also raised “well-held doubts” about the safety and integrity of Pakistan’s nuclear command, citing the military’s alleged ties to terrorist organizations. Jaiswal stressed that India would not be intimidated by “nuclear blackmail” and would take all necessary measures to protect its national security.

Munir’s trip to the U.S. has included official ceremonies and meetings—such as attending the U.S. Central Command change of command in Tampa and discussions with senior Pentagon officials. 

The Pakistan army said, in Tampa, Munir attended the Retirement Ceremony of outgoing US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Michael E. Kurilla, and the Change of Command Ceremony, marking the assumption of command by Admiral Brad Cooper.

He also met with Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, where matters of mutual professional interest were discussed. He extended an invitation to General Caine to visit Pakistan, it added.