Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, is once again in the news for making strong anti-India statements. In a recent speech during a private dinner in the United States, Munir made a dangerous remark:

“We are a nuclear nation. If we think we are going down, we'll take half the world down with us.”

This comment not only repeats Pakistan’s history of threatening to use nuclear weapons but also broadens the target. Earlier, Pakistan’s threats mainly focused on India. This time, Munir mentioned “South Asia” and even “half the world”, making the warning global in scope.

What makes this remark even more important is where it was made—in the US, India’s strategic partner. This happened on the 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Nagasaki in 1945, a tragic event that killed 170,000 people by the end of that year.

Munir’s threat also comes at a time when US-Pakistan relations are improving under President Donald Trump. The US has recently called Pakistan a “phenomenal partner” and shown interest in working together, even on Pakistan’s non-existent energy resources.

As columnist Kamlesh Singh sarcastically put it:

"Important ye nahin hai ki Munir bhaunka, important ye hai ki Munir Trump ke compound se bhaunka."
(What’s important is not that Munir barked, but that he barked from Trump’s compound.)

So why did Munir choose US soil to make such a statement?

Why Munir Spoke in the US: Strategic Signalling

Munir’s choice of the US for this threat was not random. It is linked to the recent warming of ties between Washington and Islamabad.

On June 18, Munir was invited to a rare White House luncheon — a privilege usually given to heads of state. This showed that the US acknowledges Pakistan’s military as the real power in the country.

This latest visit also included his presence at the retirement ceremony of US CENTCOM Commander General Michael Kurilla in Tampa, Florida. Here, Munir had the chance to showcase Pakistan’s military strength to both international leaders and the Pakistani diaspora.

It is important to note that Munir has made such statements before. For example, he once called Kashmir Pakistan’s “jugular vein” and declared that “Hindus and Muslims are different”, that time addressing Pakistanis at home.

Security analyst Nitin A. Gokhale explained Munir’s latest threat as a reaction to India’s Operation Sindoor, in which Indian forces reportedly struck terrorist camps inside Pakistan and even targeted Kairana Hills, believed to store Pakistan’s nuclear weapons:

"Mullah Munir's rant from American soil is not surprising… But the main reason for his nuclear sabre-rattling is India calling Pakistan's nuclear bluff in Operation Sindoor."

In short, speaking from US territory gives Munir’s words more global attention and signals both to India and to his supporters back home that Pakistan is still a force to reckon with.

Pakistan is facing severe economic and political instability. Munir’s leadership is under pressure from both inside the army and from hardline groups. By talking about nuclear weapons, he is trying to reassure these domestic hawks that Pakistan is still “strong” and can deter India from acting militarily again.

Strategic commentator Rishap Vats explained on X:

"Munir's speech in America was primarily aimed at raising the nuclear spectre in the West, while signalling to India that they have more to lose economically."

Munir used a striking analogy to make his point:

"India is a shining Mercedes coming on a highway like a Ferrari [sic], but we are a dump truck full of gravel. If the truck hits the car, who is going to be the loser?"

Defence expert Major General PK Sehgal (retired) criticised Munir’s approach, calling it reckless:

"Asim Munir knows that a nuclear weapon is a weapon of deterrence and will in no way be used. If Pakistan, even by mistake, uses nuclear weapons, it will be a catastrophe for all continents, but for Pakistan, it will be physical suicide."

Sehgal’s point is that nuclear weapons are meant to prevent wars, not start them. Using them would destroy Pakistan entirely.

Exploiting US-India tensions

Munir’s comments also come during a low point in US-India relations. President Trump recently imposed a 50% tariff on Indian imports and criticised India’s trade policies and its purchase of Russian oil.

At the same time, Munir joked that Pakistan could give “masterclasses” in balancing rival powers, mocking India’s diplomatic challenges.

Policy analyst Pranay Kotasthane summed it up on X:

"Field Marshal Munir, while in the US, has declared, 'We are a nuclear nation; if we think we are going down, we'll take half the world down with us'... even as Trump is desperately angling for a Nobel Peace Prize for stopping a nuclear war. The US gets played again."

This suggests Munir is taking advantage of Trump’s eagerness for diplomatic success to make Pakistan seem strategically important again.

The risk and the reality

Munir’s gamble is risky. While he might win short-term attention and political support, such statements also reinforce the global image of Pakistan as an unstable and irresponsible nuclear power.

The presence of top US military officials at his events and the US describing Pakistan as a partner in “nuclear security in South Asia” may have made Munir feel confident. But in the long run, these threats could backfire both internationally and for Pakistan’s own safety.

After all, as Munir himself said, Pakistan is a “dump truck full of gravel.” If that truck hits the “Mercedes”, everyone may get damaged, but Pakistan could be completely destroyed.

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