'Must be an embarrassment': Defence secretary's jibe at Shahbaz Sharif over Trump-Munir lunch; warns of China-Turkey nexus
Pakistan PM Shehbaz Sharif
NEW DELHI: In a sharp assessment of regional military dynamics, India's Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh on Friday expressed surprise over
US President Donald Trump
's recent lunch meeting with Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir, calling it "an embarrassment" for a country where the military overshadows the civilian government.
'It is surprising. It must be an embarrassment to any country that the military chief gets invited and the prime minister is nowhere to be seen,' Singh said.
'It's a very strange thing... It's a weird, structurally imbalanced state where the military essentially has first claim on resources.'
His remarks come amid growing global scrutiny of Pakistan's internal power dynamics and its military's central role in foreign policy.
On India's recently concluded
Operation Sindoor
, Singh revealed that the Pakistani military faced 'manifold' losses in terms of both men and material compared to India.
'In terms of both assets, material and casualties, the losses on their side are manifold, anything that we have suffered,' he said.
Singh also commented on speculation about Chinese support to Pakistan during the operation. While ruling out direct involvement, he hinted at indirect assistance.
'Collusion in terms of equipment, supplies, helping them out in various ways, perhaps with satellite imagery as well — all that could have happened, but definitely they did not take any active role,' Singh said.
'Trust is low… Pakistanis don't have many resources, so they will do all this begging, borrowing, etc., to get equipment from wherever they can, whether it is Turkey or China. So we should be aware of that nexus and take appropriate steps.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
20 minutes ago
- Time of India
‘Operation Sindoor' is proof new India will respond to terror with strength & strategy: Rajnath Singh
Rajnath Singh (File Image) JAMMU: ' Operation Sindoor ' sent a powerful message to terrorists and their patrons that new India is assertive, resolute and will no longer be a victim of terrorism , but respond with strength and strategy, defence minister Rajnath Singh said on Friday. Singh, who is on a two-day visit to Jammu, made the remarks while interacting with soldiers at the Northern Command, Udhampur. He will take part in the International Yoga Day at Northern Command on Saturday. The defence minister described 'Operation Sindoor' as not just a military action, but a warning to the terrorists across the border and their masters that India will give a befitting reply if its unity and integrity is harmed. 'Operation Sindoor is not over yet. This is just a pause. I want to tell this to my neighboring country,' he added. Singh commended the precision, coordination and courage of the armed forces and intelligence agencies in destroying terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir, asserting that India's change in policy towards terrorism is a result of this unmatched valour and dedication. The nation will forever remain indebted to the services rendered by the armed forces, he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025: Canadians Over 30 Could Qualify for Up to $25,000 – Check Eligibility Today! canadatodaysavings Undo Later, while attending the 'barakhana' organised on the Yoga Day eve, the Union minister urged the army personnel to focus on physical and mental well-being, underlining the importance of strength and wellness in a soldier's life. 'If you are strong, our borders will be strong. When the borders are strong, India will be strong,' he said. A colourful cultural programme showcasing Khukri dance, bhangra, kalaripayattu and jhanz patak was also organised as part of the event. Army chief General Upendra Dwivedi, Northern Command chief Lt-Gen Pratik Sharma and other senior officers were present on the occasion.
India Today
29 minutes ago
- India Today
Operation Sindoor not over, just paused: Rajnath Singh's strong message to Pakistan
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has affirmed India's strong position against terrorism and said that the country will no longer be a victim of terrorism and will respond with strength and strategy in response to acts of terror. 'Operation Sindoor sent a powerful message to terrorists and their patrons that New India is assertive, resolute and will no longer be a victim of terrorism, but respond with strength and strategy,' said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh while interacting with soldiers at Northern Command, Udhampur, Jammu & Kashmir on Friday. advertisementHe also commended the precision, coordination and courage of the Armed Forces and intelligence agencies in destroying terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK, asserting that India's change in policy towards terrorism is a result of this unmatched valour and dedication. Singh described Operation Sindoor as not just a military action, but a warning to the terrorists across the border and those who support them that India will no longer tolerate terrorism and give a befitting reply if its unity and integrity is harmed. 'Operation Sindoor is not over yet. This is just a pause. I want to tell this to my neighbouring country,' he Singh defined the life of a soldier as one filled with courage and sacrifice, adding that the nation will forever remain indebted to the services rendered by the Armed Forces in the duty of the motherland. advertisementAt the Barakhana organised on the eve of International Day of Yoga 2025, he also urged the personnel to keep focusing on physical and mental well-being, underlining the importance of strength and wellness in a soldier's life. 'If you are strong, our borders will be strong. When the borders are strong, India will be strong,' he said.A cultural programme comprising Khukri Dance, Bhangra, Kalari Pattu and Jhanz Patak was also organised as part of the event. Chief of the Army Staff General Upendra Dwivedi, General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command Lt Gen Pratik Sharma and other senior Indian Army officials were also present on the Watch
India Today
29 minutes ago
- India Today
Iran expects India to condemn Israeli military actions against it
Iran expects India and other like-minded nations to condemn Israeli "military aggression" against it as such actions are "breach" of international law, a senior Iranian diplomat said on Javad Hosseini, the deputy chief of mission at the Iranian embassy, also hoped that Pakistan would not do anything that would harm Iran's response on Pakistan came when asked at a media briefing about Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir's meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House on There is speculation that Washington is looking at using Pakistani military bases in case it decides to launch attacks on also said that India is a leader of the Global South and Iran expects New Delhi to condemn the Israeli actions of "breaching" international law by attacking a sovereign country."We believe every country, including India, should condemn it (Israeli military actions), not because of their relations with Iran but because these actions are in breach of global norms," he and Iran have fired hundreds of missiles and drones at each other's cities as well as military facilities since the hostilities began over a week if Iran was considering shutting the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian diplomat did not give a direct reply and said several options are on the 30 per cent of the world's daily oil consumption passes through the Strait of to the International Energy Agency, even a brief disruption of passage through the strait will have a significant impact on oil markets."We have many things on the table, but it doesn't mean that we are going to do it now. It depends on the situation and how the other players want to go," Hosseini said."If they want to solve the problem, definitely some of these things will be put aside," he about possible impact of the hostilities with Israel on Iran's Chabahar port, the Iranian diplomat only said that any further escalation of tensions could have far-reaching implications for the flow of energy and other commodities."It is not just a matter of Chabahar, it's a matter of the whole region. If it escalates, it will definitely affect many things, definitely the flow of oil, shipments and commodities which are going through these channels will be affected," Hosseini said."Because of this, those countries who will be affected, it is better for them to think and to start stopping this aggression, to avoid any kind of negative effects on the economy of the region, which will definitely spread out to the whole world," he InMust Watch
