Former Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit has sparked controversy with provocative remarks, suggesting that if the United States attacks Pakistan over its nuclear programme, Islamabad should retaliate by striking major Indian cities like Mumbai and Delhi.
In a recent interview, Basit, who served as Pakistan’s envoy in New Delhi from 2014 to 2017, framed the scenario amid rising global scrutiny of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal and missile advancements. He stated, “If it happens that America looks at our nuclear programme with bad eyes and tries to destroy our nuclear capacity… well, it’s impossible, but if it happens that America attacks Pakistan, then we don’t have to do anything else. America is not in our range, but we should attack India without thinking.”
Basit elaborated: “We should attack Mumbai and Delhi. Whatever happens after that will be seen. Neither America nor Israel is in our range, but if such a thing ever happens, we should do exactly that without thinking twice.” He urged the international community, including India, not to view Pakistan negatively.
The comments come against the backdrop of heightened US concerns. US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard recently flagged Pakistan’s rapid development of sophisticated missile systems as a potential future threat, even to the US homeland, intensifying fears over nuclear security.
Basit’s statements have been criticised as inflammatory rhetoric from a former diplomat, evoking memories of past India-Pakistan conflicts where similar bravado preceded setbacks for Pakistan. No official reactions from New Delhi or Washington were reported in the context of these remarks.
The outburst highlights persistent tensions in South Asia’s nuclear dyad, even as broader geopolitical flashpoints like the Iran-US-Israel conflict dominate headlines.
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