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Hans India
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Pakistan Army Chief Rejects Indian Regional Dominance, Calls Water Treaty Suspension Red Line
Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has issued strong statements rejecting any form of Indian dominance in South Asia while declaring the suspension of the Indus Water Treaty as an unacceptable red line for his country. The military leader's remarks come in the aftermath of a recent ceasefire agreement between the two nuclear-armed neighbors following days of cross-border military confrontation. Speaking during an educational forum with university vice-chancellors, principals, and senior educators, Munir emphasized Pakistan's unwavering stance against what he termed Indian hegemonic ambitions in the region. The army chief's comments were officially released through the Inter-Services Public Relations, Pakistan's military media wing. Munir specifically addressed India's recent decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty, a water-sharing agreement that has governed river management between the two countries since 1960. He characterized this suspension as crossing a fundamental boundary that Pakistan would never accept, linking it directly to the survival and basic rights of Pakistan's 240 million citizens. The treaty governs the distribution and management of six major rivers including the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. India's decision to suspend the agreement came after Pakistan-sponsored terrorists killed 26 tourists in Kashmir's Pahalgam region, prompting India's Cabinet Committee on Security under Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take this unprecedented step. India has historically not only shared water resources but also provided financial assistance to Pakistan for developing water infrastructure as part of the original treaty obligations. Anticipating Pakistan's response, New Delhi deployed seven diplomatic teams globally to explain and justify its position on the treaty suspension through what officials termed post-Operation Sindoor diplomacy. The Pakistani army chief also addressed the ongoing insurgency in Balochistan province, where separatist rebels have intensified their campaign against Pakistani security forces. During the recent India-Pakistan military tensions, Baloch insurgents escalated their attacks, including six separate strikes against Pakistani forces in the provincial capital Quetta on a single day. The rebels also replaced Pakistani flags with their own in several areas. Munir alleged that India was providing support to Baloch separatists, describing them as foreign-backed proxies rather than genuine local insurgents. He claimed these elements were acting on behalf of external interests, particularly India, and disputed their authentic Baloch identity. The army chief made reference to what he described as divine assistance during Pakistan's recent military engagement with India. The conflict began when India launched Operation Sindoor in early May, conducting precision strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan responded with attempted strikes on Indian military installations over three consecutive days, prompting strong Indian retaliation before both nations agreed to a ceasefire. The recent military confrontation and subsequent statements reflect the persistent tensions between the South Asian neighbors despite the ceasefire agreement. Both countries continue to engage in diplomatic and military posturing while addressing domestic security challenges and regional strategic concerns. Munir's statements underscore Pakistan's determination to resist what it perceives as Indian regional dominance while highlighting critical issues like water rights and territorial disputes that continue to strain bilateral relations between the two nations.
Hans India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Pakistan Army Chief Declares Opposition To Indian Regional Dominance, Calls Water Treaty Sacred
Field Marshal Asim Munir, Pakistan's Army Chief, has made strong declarations regarding his country's stance toward India's regional influence, emphasizing that Pakistan will steadfastly resist any attempts at Indian dominance in South Asia. Speaking to university officials and educators, Munir outlined Pakistan's unwavering position on critical bilateral issues. The military leader characterized the Indus Water Treaty as an inviolable boundary that Pakistan will defend at all costs. Following India's decision to suspend the decades-old water-sharing agreement, Munir emphasized that water rights represent a fundamental necessity for Pakistan's 240 million citizens and cannot be compromised under any circumstances. The suspension of the Indus Water Treaty came after Pakistan-backed militants killed 26 tourists in Kashmir's Pahalgam region. India's Cabinet Committee on Security, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, took the unprecedented step of halting the 1960 agreement for the first time in its history. The treaty governs the distribution and management of six major rivers: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej between the two nations. In response to India's action, New Delhi deployed seven diplomatic teams globally as part of post-Operation Sindoor outreach efforts to explain and justify its position on the treaty suspension. These teams, consisting of parliamentarians from various political parties, worked to communicate India's rationale to the international community. Regarding the ongoing insurgency in Balochistan, Munir attributed the unrest to external interference, specifically pointing to Indian involvement. He claimed that the militant elements operating in the province serve as proxies for foreign powers, particularly India, and disputed their authentic Baloch identity. The Balochistan region has witnessed intensified rebel activities, including multiple attacks on Pakistani security forces in the provincial capital Quetta, with insurgents even replacing Pakistani flags with their own symbols. The Army Chief's remarks came weeks after a significant military confrontation between the two countries that resulted in a ceasefire agreement. The conflict began when India conducted Operation Sindoor in early May, launching targeted strikes against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan responded with attempted strikes on Indian military installations over several days, prompting a strong Indian counterresponse before both nations agreed to cease hostilities on May 10. Munir made a notable comment about divine intervention, suggesting that Pakistan received heavenly assistance during the recent military engagement with India. This statement reflects the religious undertones often present in Pakistani military and political discourse regarding conflicts with India. The Pakistani military's media wing, Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), disseminated Munir's statements, ensuring wide coverage of his position on these critical regional issues. The Army Chief's firm stance reflects Pakistan's broader strategic concerns about maintaining sovereignty and territorial integrity while managing complex relationships with neighboring countries. These developments highlight the continuing tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbors, particularly around water rights, territorial disputes, and allegations of cross-border terrorism and insurgency support. The suspension of the Indus Water Treaty represents a significant escalation in bilateral relations, affecting millions of people dependent on these water resources for agriculture and daily life.
Hans India
08-06-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Pakistan Army Chief Rejects Indian Regional Dominance, Calls Water Treaty Suspension Unacceptable
Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has declared that his country will never accept Indian dominance in South Asia, while strongly condemning India's decision to suspend the Indus Water Treaty as crossing a fundamental boundary for Pakistan. Speaking to university officials and educators, Munir emphasized Pakistan's unwavering stance against what he characterized as Indian regional hegemony. His remarks came just weeks after both nations agreed to a ceasefire following several days of military confrontation that had escalated tensions across the subcontinent. The Pakistani military leader expressed particular concern over India's suspension of the Indus Water Treaty, describing water rights as an inviolable principle that directly impacts the lives of Pakistan's 240 million citizens. According to statements released by Pakistan's Inter-Services Public Relations, Munir categorized any compromise on water-related issues as completely unacceptable to his nation. India's decision to suspend the decades-old water-sharing agreement marked the first time such action had been taken since the treaty's establishment in 1960. The suspension followed a terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam region that claimed 26 tourist lives, prompting India's Cabinet Committee on Security, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, to take this unprecedented step. The Indus Water Treaty governs the distribution and management of six major rivers flowing between India and Pakistan, including the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, and Sutlej. Under this agreement, India has not only shared water resources but also provided financial assistance to help Pakistan develop its water infrastructure systems over the decades. Anticipating Pakistan's reaction to the treaty suspension, India launched a comprehensive diplomatic initiative, deploying seven teams of parliamentarians from various political parties to different regions worldwide. This post-Operation Sindoor diplomatic campaign aimed to explain and justify India's position on the water treaty suspension to the international community. Beyond water disputes, Munir also addressed the escalating insurgency in Pakistan's Balochistan province, where rebel attacks have intensified against Pakistani security forces. The Army Chief alleged that Indian intelligence agencies were providing support to Baloch separatists, claiming that these insurgent groups were acting as proxies for foreign interests, particularly India. The situation in Balochistan has become increasingly volatile, with the provincial capital Quetta experiencing multiple attacks on Pakistani forces on May 8 alone. During the recent period of cross-border military action with India, Baloch rebels reportedly escalated their offensive operations, even replacing Pakistani flags with their own symbols in various locations. Munir disputed the authenticity of the Baloch insurgency, asserting that the individuals involved were not genuinely representing Baloch interests but were instead foreign-backed elements working against Pakistan's territorial integrity. The Pakistani military leader also made reference to divine intervention during the recent military conflict with India, expressing his belief that Pakistan had received spiritual assistance during the confrontation. This conflict began when India conducted precision strikes under Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan responded with attempted strikes on Indian military installations over the following three days, prompting what India characterized as a firm and decisive response. The military engagement concluded with both nations announcing a ceasefire agreement on May 10, temporarily ending the immediate crisis. The Army Chief's statements reflect Pakistan's continued resistance to accepting what it perceives as India's growing influence in South Asian affairs, while highlighting the complex web of disputes involving water rights, territorial conflicts, and regional security concerns that continue to define the relationship between these nuclear-armed neighbors.
New Indian Express
01-06-2025
- Business
- New Indian Express
India's fifth generation AMCA needs mission mode to meet deadlines
Over a year after the Cabinet Committee on Security gave its nod for India's first 5th-generation fighter aircraft, the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), the Defence Ministry on May 27 cleared the way for the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) under the Defence Research & Development Organisation as the nodal agency to commence work on the design and development of its execution model. The development is welcome, although it's a case of better late than never, considering that India's not-so-friendly neighbourhood already has 5th-generation fighter aircraft among its squadrons. China reportedly has an operational fleet of 180 5th-generation fighter jets, and, according to unconfirmed reports, it unveiled its 6th-generation fighter, the Chengdu J-36, in January. Its all-weather ally Pakistan is said to be procuring 40 more of their 5th-gen fighters. AMCA's first of the five planned prototypes is expected to be unveiled in three years, and its maiden flight is likely to take off no earlier than 2028. Its operational roll-out can be expected only by 2035. The initial prototypes may cost approximately ₹1,720 crore each, but this could be reduced to ₹860 crore when production scales up. The overall project has been allocated ₹15,000 crore. This presents a time span with possible cost escalations, during which equations about air power balance with neighbours may likely turn to India's disadvantage. This must be viewed against the backdrop of the Indian Air Force already being stretched thin, with the squadron strength down to 31 against the authorised 42.
Hans India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Hans India
Pakistan Army Chief Rejects Indian Regional Dominance, Calls Water Treaty Suspension Critical Issue
Pakistan's Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir has delivered a firm message regarding his country's position on regional power structures, explicitly stating that Pakistan will not accept what he terms Indian hegemony in South Asia. Speaking to academic leaders and educators, Munir outlined several key areas of concern that remain contentious between the neighboring nations despite their recent ceasefire agreement. The statement comes in the aftermath of military tensions that concluded with a ceasefire arrangement between India and Pakistan earlier this month, following several days of cross-border military engagement. Central to Munir's address was Pakistan's position on the Indus Water Treaty, which he characterized as a fundamental issue affecting the basic rights of Pakistan's 240 million citizens. The Army Chief's comments were prompted by India's decision to suspend the treaty, marking the first such action since the agreement was established in 1960. According to Munir, water access represents an absolute boundary that Pakistan will defend without compromise. He emphasized that this issue transcends political considerations and directly impacts the survival and welfare of the entire Pakistani population. The suspension of the Indus Water Treaty occurred following a terrorist attack in Kashmir's Pahalgam region that resulted in 26 tourist fatalities. India's Cabinet Committee on Security, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, made the unprecedented decision to halt the water-sharing arrangement that has governed the distribution of six major rivers between the two countries for over six decades. Recognizing the potential international ramifications of suspending the water treaty, India has launched a comprehensive diplomatic initiative. Seven parliamentary delegations, comprising representatives from multiple political parties, have been deployed globally to explain and justify India's position on the treaty suspension. This diplomatic outreach appears designed to counter anticipated criticism and ensure that India's perspective on the water dispute receives adequate international attention and understanding. The Pakistani Army Chief also addressed the ongoing insurgency in Balochistan province, where separatist forces have intensified their activities against Pakistani security installations. Munir claimed that these rebel groups are not genuinely representative of the Baloch people but are instead proxy forces operating under foreign direction, specifically alleging Indian involvement in supporting the insurgency. The timing of increased Baloch rebel activity coincided with Pakistan's military engagement with India, with the provincial capital Quetta experiencing multiple attacks on Pakistani forces. The insurgents also engaged in symbolic acts of defiance, replacing Pakistani flags with their own banners in various locations. The current tensions stem from a series of military actions that began in early May. India initiated precision strikes under Operation Sindoor on May 7, targeting what it described as terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Pakistan responded with attempted strikes on Indian military facilities over the following three days, leading to escalated military exchanges before both nations agreed to a ceasefire on May 10. According to Munir, Pakistan received divine assistance during this military confrontation, reflecting the religious framework through which Pakistani military leadership views these conflicts. The Army Chief's statements highlight the persistent challenges in South Asian regional stability, where water rights, territorial disputes, and proxy conflicts continue to complicate bilateral relations. Despite the recent ceasefire, fundamental disagreements over regional influence, resource sharing, and security concerns remain unresolved. The suspension of the Indus Water Treaty represents a significant escalation in the tools available for diplomatic and economic pressure between the two nuclear-armed neighbors. This development may set new precedents for how water resources are used as instruments of statecraft in the region. The Pakistani military leadership's firm stance on these issues suggests that resolution of current tensions may require substantial diplomatic engagement and potentially international mediation. The interplay between water rights, regional security, and territorial disputes continues to shape the complex relationship between these South Asian powers.
