ISLAMABAD: Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif on Saturday said that India may test Pakistan’s resolve if that is what it wishes to do.
The foreign minister was responding to a recent statement by the Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat, who said Friday his force was ready to call Pakistan’s ‘nuclear bluff’ and cross the border to carry out any operation if asked by the government.
“Very irresponsible statement by Indian Army Chief, not befitting his office. Amounts to invitation for nuclear encounter. If that is what they (India) desire, they are welcome to test our resolve. The general’s doubt would swiftly be removed, inshallah,” Asif tweeted.
“Very irresponsible statement by Indian Army Chief,not befitting his office. Amounts to invitation for nuclear encounter.If that is what they desire,they are welcome to test our resolve.The general’s doubt would swiftly be removed, inshallah.”
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) January 13, 2018
Following Asif’s remarks, Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Spokesperson Dr Mohammad Faisal also took the issue to Twitter.
“The threatening and irresponsible statement by the Indian Army Chief today is representative of a sinister mindset that has taken hold of India. Pakistan has demonstrated deterrence capability,” he tweeted from his personal handle.
The threatening and irresponsible statement by the Indian Army Chief today is representative of a sinister mindset that has taken hold of India. Pakistan has demonstrated deterrence capability.1/2
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) January 13, 2018
“These are not issues to be taken lightly. There must not be any misadventure based on miscalculation. Pakistan is fully capable of defending itself,” he said in a second tweet.
These are not issues to be taken lightly. There must not be any misadventure based on miscalculation. Pakistan is fully capable of defending itself. 2/2
— Dr Mohammad Faisal (@ForeignOfficePk) January 13, 2018
Their tweets followed Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) Director General Major General Asif Ghafoor’s reaction to Gen Rawat’s statement, in which he said such statements were unbecoming of a person of his stature.
“We believe COAS is a very responsible appointment and four-star is a rank with age-long experience and maturity,” the military spokesman said.
https://en.dailypakistan.com.pk/headline/indian-army-chief-gets-perfect-reply-from-ispr-over-pakistans-nuclear-bluff-statement/
Ghafoor further stated that Pakistan has a credible nuclear capability, exclusively meant for the threat from the east. “But we believe it’s a weapon of deterrence, not a choice.”
