During a private dinner in Tampa city of Florida province of America, Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has openly threatened India’s economic structure in any future struggle. According to media reports, he referred to the refinery campus of Reliance Industries Limited, especially in Jamnagar, Gujarat, which is the world’s largest single-site refining complex. Let us tell you that this is the first time that the top military leadership of Pakistan has named India’s major economic property and described it as a possible military goal.
According to the report, Munir mentioned a social media post in which a picture of Reliance Chairman Mukesh Ambani was put up with a verse from the Quran. He claimed that during the recent tension he himself authorized this post to indicate India that “what will be done next time.” In his speech, Munir said in the context of Indus Waters Treaty that if the treaty is suspended, Pakistan will attack the Indian dams. In his words, “We will wait for India to build a dam and then finish it with 10 missiles.”
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Let us tell you that this speech was given at the black-tie dinner organized by the Honorary Commerce of Pakistan, in which about 120 migrant Pakistanis were present. Mobile and digital devices were banned during this program and no official statement was released. Despite this, many eyewitnesses told the media all the details. Let us tell you that Munir’s visit to Florida was mainly to participate in the farewell ceremony of Commander General Michael Kurilla, Commander General of the US Central Command (Kentcom). During this time, Kurilla described Pakistan as “the best partner” in anti-terrorism operations and was awarded Pakistan’s highest civilian honor.
In addition, Munir emphasized the ability to balance the recent Indo-US relations between Pakistan’s ‘Ravel Powers’, stressing the ability to balance and said that Pakistan needs to take “masterclass” in diplomacy. He also added that Pakistan openly appreciates goodness and cited Donald Trump’s Nobel Prize nomination as an example.
As far as Munir’s threat is concerned, this statement is not only a military threat but part of the psychological warfare. The purpose of targeting an economic symbol, such as the name of Jamnagar refinery is to create a sense of insecurity among investors, policy-makers of India and India. Since this statement was given on American soil, among the migrant community, its goal is to convene messages to international media and American political-security circles. This can be considered part of Pakistan’s “dual audience strategy” – in which signs are sent to both domestic people and foreign forces.
Let us tell you that although Pakistan’s traditional and missile capacity has some such capabilities, India has an advanced air defense system (eg S-400) and resistance ability. Therefore it will not be easy in the event of real war. However, such threats definitely affect the strategic risk-map. In addition, Munir’s speech has come at a time when Indo-US business differences are in the headlines. Pakistan is using this opportunity to present itself as a “balance partner” to maintain its relevance in Washington.
However, it can be strategically risky to ignore this speech of Munir as just a rhetoric for India. This is not only a sign of potential military threats but also gives a glimpse of the current thinking of Pakistan’s political-melodious system, its image-policy on the international platform and efforts to create psychological pressure against India. It is necessary for India to strengthen the security-plan of its important economic and water-structure resources and highlight the international implications of this statement at the diplomatic level.