Khawaja Asif: Pakistan will achieve 'bigger success' if war erupts with India

Islamabad: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has issued a stark warning that the "chances of war with India are real" amid heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours. Speaking in an interview with Samaa TV on Tuesday, Asif claimed that Pakistan would gain even bigger success than before if any armed conflict were to erupt in the future.

Responding to questions on recent statements by Indian political and military leaders, the minister said that Pakistan was vigilant and closely monitoring the situation of armed confrontation. “I do not want escalation, but the risks are real, and I am not denying that possibility,” he asserted. “If it comes to war, God willing, we will achieve a better result than before,” Asif added.

Asif further claimed that Pakistan has garnered more supporters and allies in recent months, whereas India has lost backing from countries that were previously supportive before the May conflict. However, he refrained from naming any specific allies.

He also made provocative historical assertions, stating that India was never a united nation except briefly under Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, contrasting it with Pakistan, which he claimed was created in the name of Allah and stood united during the May armed confrontations despite internal challenges. “At home, we argue and compete. In a fight with India, we come together,” said Asif.

The remarks come just days following similar threats from Asif and in response to comments from Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi, who warned Pakistan to cease backing state-sponsored terrorism or risk “being erased from the world map.” Dwivedi also declared that India would not show restraint in future conflicts as it did during Operation Sindoor in May, which aimed at targeting terror infrastructure in Pakistan-administered territories.

Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh echoed a strong stance, stating at an event in Hyderabad that India would cross any border necessary to protect its citizens and sovereignty.

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7 as retaliation for the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, which killed 26 civilians. The ensuing military strikes on Pakistani targets sparked four days of intense clashes, ending in a mutual understanding to cease hostilities on May 10.

With inputs from PTI