Amid ongoing tensions in West Asia, former Pakistani High Commissioner Abdul Basit has triggered controversy with inflammatory comments directed at India.
Speaking on a TV discussion, Basit referred to a hypothetical scenario in which the United States attacks Pakistan. In that context, he suggested that Pakistan should target major Indian cities such as New Delhi and Mumbai.
His comments come at a time when tensions remain high in the region due to the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, raising concerns about broader regional security.
Basit argued that even if Pakistan cannot directly reach its primary adversary, it should not abandon the option of targeting Indian cities. The remarks have been widely criticised as provocative and irresponsible, especially given the sensitive geopolitical environment.
Abdul Basit served as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India for three years and has held key diplomatic positions in several countries. He was also Pakistan’s ambassador to Germany between 2012 and 2014. His remarks have drawn attention given his past tenure in India and familiarity with the region.
By naming cities like Mumbai and New Delhi, Basit’s statement has also revived memories of past terror attacks, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks, and highlighted ongoing concerns over cross-border tensions.
During the debate, Basit elaborated on a worst-case situation where Pakistan might face threats to its nuclear programme. He suggested that if Pakistan were attacked and unable to respond directly to its aggressors, it would have limited options.
He claimed that in such a scenario, Pakistan would retaliate against India, even though he also acknowledged that such a situation is unlikely and expressed hope that tensions would not escalate to that level.
