Asim Munir's anti-India statement: He is is only as big a problem as Delhi let's him be
Munir's tirade does offer a window to understanding the Pakistani military's inclination towards economic warfare. He reportedly vowed to target Reliance Industries' Jamnagar refinery in Gujarat, the largest single-site refining complex in the world, in the event of a future conflict. He invoked the Indus Waters Treaty, which New Delhi placed in abeyance after the Pahalgam attack, threatening missile strikes should India proceed with dam construction. Far from projecting strength, these remarks present a sorry picture of a Field Marshal straining to cast Pakistan as a viable rival to India. The reality is different: India's GDP is roughly 10 times Pakistan's, and the gap is widening, not just economically but also in terms of the two countries' global standing. Munir's own analogy likening India to a Mercedes and Pakistan to a dump truck is telling of the military establishment's mindset: That, in a conflict, India has far more to lose. Yet, much like three decades ago, when Rawalpindi invested significant time and effort in nefarious cross-border activities aimed at destabilisation, India should continue to press ahead with diplomatic partnerships, accelerate economic reforms, strengthen technological capabilities, and foster internal unity.
Ultimately, Field Marshal Asim Munir can only become as big for India as India allows him to be. Pakistan is far more than the folie de grandeur of one man bent on forcing India-Pakistan hyphenation on the international stage — unsuccessfully. India must keep its eye on the big picture, and focus on partnerships with nations pivotal to its rise as an economic power.
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