Former Pakistani High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit has made a controversial statement suggesting that if Pakistan were attacked by any foreign power, the country would retaliate by striking India. His remarks, made during a discussion on a hypothetical war scenario, have sparked widespread debate and criticism. Basit specifically mentioned Mumbai and New Delhi as potential targets, saying Pakistan would not hesitate to respond in such a situation.

Although Basit described his comments as reflecting an extreme and unlikely situation, he maintained that Pakistan would have no choice but to attack India if threatened. His remarks have quickly spread among Indian citizens, particularly because of his past role as Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi from 2014 to 2017, a period marked by tense bilateral relations.

The statement comes amid heightened regional tensions, especially between Pakistan and Afghanistan. Afghan authorities have accused Pakistani forces of conducting recent airstrikes in Kabul, Kandahar, and Paktika, claims that have further strained Pakistan’s relations with its neighbors.