ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s defense minister on Monday dismissed Indian accusations of “sabre-rattling,” saying New Delhi’s claims about alleged nuclear threats by the Pakistani army chief were baseless and reflected domestic political pressures on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The comments followed a statement by India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) accusing Pakistan of “sabre-rattling” and “irresponsibility” after media reports claimed Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir had hinted at the possible use of nuclear weapons during a speech in Florida, framing it as a warning to New Delhi in light of recent military tensions.
Indian officials argued that such comments, if accurate, amounted to “nuclear sabre-rattling” — a term used to describe provocative or threatening language about deploying nuclear arms — and said it was particularly irresponsible to make them while abroad in a “friendly third country.”
Munir was said to have spoken at a black-tie dinner hosted by a Pakistani-origin businessman in Florida on Saturday, attended by more than 100 guests. An excerpt of his speech shared by Pakistani security officials did not contain any such remarks, while Pakistan’s foreign office said the Indian MEA’s statement was “yet another demonstration of their chronic tendency to distorting facts and twisting statements out of context.”
