Pakistan's radical army chief Asim Munir makes BIG claim against India after humiliating defeat in Operation Sindoor, says New Delhi is region's biggest…
Asim Munir (File)
Operation Sindoor: Pakistan Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir does not seem to have learnt any lessons from the humiliating defeat his forces sustained at the hands of their Indian counterparts during last month's Operation Sindoor. The radical army officer is back to his old ways of spewing venom against India, ironically calling New Delhi as the 'biggest sponsor of terrorism' in the region, without presenting any shred of evidence for his accusation. India 'biggest sponsor of terrorism', claims Munir
Addressing Pakistan Army officers of the 52nd Common Training Programme on Friday, Asim Munir accused India of being the biggest terror sponsor in the subcontinent, and urged other countries, particularly Afghanistan, to be wary of New Delhi's alleged 'proxy' network, which he claimed is being used to carry out terror attacks in Pakistan and other nations.
'Pakistan wants friendly relations with Afghanistan, a brotherly Islamic country, but expects Kabul not to give space to India-sponsored terrorist groups, Fitna al-Hindustan and Fitna al-Khawarij. India is the biggest sponsor of terrorism in the region,' Munir claimed, adding that Pakistan will never accept Indian hegemony.
'We have never bowed down before India and won't in the future' he asserted. Terrorism India's 'internal issue'
Talking about terror incidents in India, Asim Munir said it was an internal issue of New Delhi, which he alleged stems from purported discrimination and violence against minorities, especially Indian Muslims. Munir claimed the terror attacks in India have nothing to do with Pakistan.
Notably, this allegation coming from a Pakistan army chief is quite ironic, as his country has a notorious track record as far as treatment of minority groups is concerned. Pakistan's minority population is dwindling at a rapid pace since the country's formation, while the same is flourishing in India, with their numbers increasing rapidly.
Additionally, Pakistan was carved out on the basis of religion, where Muslims enjoys privileges, while minorities like Hindus, Christians, Sikhs, and even other smaller Islamic sects like Shias and Ahmadis, are treated as second-class citizens.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Army chief also addressed Islamabad's defence preparedness, asserting that the country and armed forces are fully prepared to meet the requirements of modern warfare. The Field Marshal also stressed on the importance of unity among all state institutions, stating that the administration and civil bureaucracy are the foundation of harmony and their responsibilities are crucial. Operation Sindoor
Last month, on May 7, Indian Armed Forces launched Operation Sindoor, a series of deadly, precision strikes on terror infrastructures deep inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), to avenge the heinous Pahalgam terror attack in which terrorists gunned down 26 civilians, mostly Indian Hindu tourists in Kashmir valley on April 22, 2025.
The Indian attack sparked a series of strikes and counter-strikes from India and Pakistan as both sides fired missiles and attack drones at each other's territories for nearly 100 hours before a ceasefire agreement was reached.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
16 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
India-US trade talks need political push for final leg
The fine print of a preliminary trade deal between India and the US has mostly been worked out by negotiators from both sides but the ball is now in the court of the political leadership to break a stalemate, people aware of the parleys told HT, disclosing two of the topmost sticking points that remain. Trade experts said an interim trade deal between India and the US is possible by July 9, provided both respect practical and political sensitivities of each other. (AFP File) According to these people, these issues are: an unequivocal assurance that New Delhi seeks from Washington that all punitive levies will be repealed, and a freer access to India's politically sensitive agriculture sector that the American side has sought. 'The two-day deliberation that started in Washington on Thursday will likely stretch over to next week,' one of these people, who has direct knowledge of the talks, told HT. Both sides are in a sprint to announce a breakthrough, which will be a preliminary deal covering some portion of the trade between two nations, with a larger bilateral trade deal expected to be signed by October. Once the deal is done, India wants America to withdraw all existing and potential retaliatory tariffs, including the 26% reciprocal tariff — this comprises a 10% baseline tariff imposed from April 5 and an additional 16% country-specific levy set to trigger from July 9. India also wants the US to revoke all safeguard duties disputed at the World Trade Organisation—50% on Indian steel and aluminium and 25% on automobiles and auto parts—and to reciprocate New Delhi's move by proportionately slashing its most favoured nation tariffs. 'Washington has not yet given any unequivocal commitment on these matters, which are crucial for Indian interests,' another person said. American negotiators have been suggesting India replicate the US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal model, where Britain accepted continued 10% baseline tariffs on most goods while securing relief from additional sectoral tariffs. However, Indian negotiators have rejected this approach. The other sticking point is the US insistence on India opening its agriculture and farming sector. While the American side is open to tariff rate quotas (TRQ) — a mechanism under which concessional duty or duty-free access of any specified item applies to a limited quantity — their insistence on some sensitive sectors is a challenge. 'The problem lies in wanting India to also open its sensitive sectors. Dairy imports are restricted for two reasons. First, India's dairy farming is at a subsistence level with one or two cows or buffaloes. The livelihoods of millions of farmers are at stake as they could not compete with America's commercial-scale dairy farms. Secondly, the US cattle feed includes non-vegetarian products, something against religious sentiments of Indian consumers,' a third person said. Similarly, India is unable to accept the US demand to allow unrestricted access to American agricultural items such as corn and soybean because Indian law does not permit genetically modified crops. 'America is unwilling to accept an institutional mechanism which would certify that its India-bound agriculture produce are not genetically modified, saying there is a practical problem in segregating GM and non-GM products,' this person said. This person added that solving such issues now require a political directive from the highest levels of the government. 'While majority of issues have been resolved with near consensus, including on removing tariff and non-tariff barriers on most of the items of interest for both countries, certain sensitive matters require political directives from the two leaders. An interim India-US trade deal, mainly involving goods, is possible to conclude before July 9, depending on political resolution of the stalemate,' the second person said. The Indian negotiating team could extend its stay in Washington next week and the two parties would discuss contentious issues, depending on any political directive, according to the first person. The Indian negotiating team led by chief negotiator and special secretary-commerce Rajesh Agrawal was still in Washington on Saturday, indicating that talks may extend into next week. Trade experts said an interim trade deal between India and the US is possible by July 9, provided both respect practical and political sensitivities of each other. Global Trade Research Initiative founder Ajay Srivastava outlined a likely scenario: 'The more likely outcome is a limited trade pact—styled after the US-UK mini trade deal announced on May 8. Under such a deal, India is expected to cut MFN tariffs on a wide range of industrial goods, including automobiles, a persistent demand from Washington. In agriculture, India may offer limited market access through tariff reductions and TRQs on select US products such as ethanol, almonds, walnuts, apples, raisins, avocados, olive oil, spirits, and wine.' 'However, India is unlikely to budge on sensitive sectors. No tariff cuts are expected for dairy products or key food grains like rice and wheat, where farm livelihoods are at stake. These categories are politically and economically sensitive, affecting over 700 million people in India's rural economy,' he added. Srivastava warned that 'the talks may collapse' if the US continues to insist on opening India's core agriculture sectors or allowing entry of GM products. The prudent move for Washington would be to respect Indian sensitivities and forge a deal for stronger strategic cooperation in future, he said, noting that 'agricultural goods account for less than 5% of US exports to India.' Another expert working in a multinational consulting firm said: 'Now it is the time for America to act as India has already given several concessions, making its intent clear for stronger and everlasting economic cooperation with the US.' After a week where tariffs took a back seat to the US strike on Iran's nuclear facilities and the massive tax and spending bill in the US Congress, the Trump administration's trade negotiations have picked up. News agency Reuters reported Washington had sent a new proposal to the EU on Thursday and held talks with Japan on Friday. Both India and Japan are in advanced negotiations.
Time of India
17 minutes ago
- Time of India
My government committed to freeing India from colonial mindset: PM Modi
NEW DELHI: PM Modi asserted that his government is committed to freeing the nation from the colonial mindset and advancing it with equal emphasis on development and heritage, while safeguarding the enduring vitality of Indian languages. He was addressing the centenary celebrations of Jain saint Acharya Vidyanand Maharaj at Vigyan Bhawan on Saturday. "We are promoting mother tongues in higher education. And that is why I said from the Red Fort that we must free the country from the mentality of colonialism. We must move forward with development and heritage together," he said countering opposition from some states to the Centre's three-language formula and accusation of Hindi imposition. Modi highlighted the govt's recent recognition of Prakrit as a classical language in Oct 2024, alongside efforts to digitise ancient Jain scriptures and promote mother tongues in higher education. On the occasion, the PM was conferred with the title of 'Dharma Chakravarti', to which he said, "I do not consider myself worthy of it, but our tradition teaches us to accept what is given by saints as prasad. Therefore, I humbly accept this prasad of yours and dedicate it at the feet of Mother India." he also referred to the preceding speech of a Jain seer, noting that he was blessing " Operation Sindoor ". PM's mere mention of "Jo humein chhedega (those who trouble us)" brought massive cheers from the audience, but he did not dwell any further on the issue. Before Modi's address, Acharya Pragya Sagar Maharaj endorsed "Operation Sindoor", saying the PM demonstrated unprecedented leadership, conveying the message that India doesn't believe in conflicts but is capable of giving a befitting reply in case someone throws a challenge. Modi said Acharya Vidyasagar Maharaj used to say, "life can become imbued with dharma only when life itself becomes service." "This thought is connected to the essence of Jain philosophy and India's consciousness. India prioritises service (and) humanity. When, for thousands of years, the world was trying to quell violence with violence, India taught the power of non-violence. We placed the spirit of serving humanity above all. "
India Gazette
34 minutes ago
- India Gazette
"We are feeling very proud": Parents of Group Captain Shukla on his interaction with PM Modi
Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh) [India], June 28 (ANI): Parents of Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, the first Indian astronaut to set foot on the International Space Station (ISS), expressed immense pride and gratitude following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's interaction with their son on Saturday evening. The Group Captain's parents shared their emotions after witnessing the conversation, which highlighted Shubhanshu's role in Axiom Mission 4 and his representation of India in space. Asha Shukla, the mother of the Group Captain, stated that they felt 'very good' after the PM conveyed his best wishes to her son for the mission. 'We felt very good as PM Modi extended best wishes to my son and also took a lot of information from him regarding space... He took gajar ka halwa and moong dal ka halwa along with him to space... We are feeling very proud,' she said. Shambhu Dayal Shukla, the father of the Group Captain, echoed his wife's sentiments, noting that it was a moment of pride for the parents. 'We felt very good as PM Modi blessed and motivated him... This is a moment of pride for us... We thank PM Modi and the entire nation for extending best wishes to my son,' he stated. Union Minister for Earth Sciences Jitendra Singh also lauded the Group Captain Shukla's interaction with PM Modi stating, 'PM Sh Narendra Modi 's conversation with Shubhanshu Shukla has not only energised the entire crew onboard International Space Station #ISS, but is also a huge motivation for the entire Team #ISRO,' in a post on X. Earlier, Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, during his interaction with the PM, said that India looks 'very big and grand' from Space. 'Jab pehli baar Bharat ko dekha, Bharat sach mein bohat bhavya dikta hain, jitna ham map pe dekhten hain, usse kahin jyada bada (When we saw India for the first time, we saw that India looks very grand, very big, much bigger than what we see on the map),' Group Captain Shukla said during his interaction Speaking aboard the ISS, Group Captain Shukla also said that it looks from space that no borders exist on Earth. 'The first view was of the Earth and after seeing the Earth from outside, the first thought and the first thing that came to mind was that the Earth looks completely one, no border is visible from outside. When we see the Earth from outside, it seems that no border exists, no state exists, and no countries exist. We all are part of humanity, and the Earth is our one home, and all of us are in it,' he said. Captain Shukla, who is the second Indian to reach Space, said he feels very proud as India has reached the International Space Station, and it is a collective achievement of the country. He said he is feeling very emotional and happy after the conversation with PM Modi. He also urged youth to work hard and never stop trying and said, 'the sky is never the limit.' Group Captain Shukla said Indian scientists have prepared seven unique experiments for the mission. 'I can say with great pride that for the first time Indian scientists have prepared seven unique experiments which I have brought here to the station. The first experiment, which is scheduled today, is on stem cells... My experiment focuses on how we can prevent or delay muscle loss in space by taking a specific supplement. We will also see if these supplements can be beneficial for older people on Earth as well,' he said. PM Modi also congratulated Group Captain Shukla for hoisting the Tricolour in space and said, 'While you are away from our motherland, you are the closest to the hearts of Indians.' 'Today, you are away from our motherland, but you are the closest to the hearts of Indians... Aapke naam mein bhi shubh hai aur aapki yatra naye yug ka shubharambh bhi hai,' PM Modi said. Group Captain Shukla is serving as Mission Pilot on the four-member Axiom Mission 4, which launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and docked with the ISS on Thursday. Axiom 4 mission aboard the Dragon spacecraft successfully docked at the ISS on Thursday, ahead of schedule, autonomously docking at 4:05 pm (IST) to the space-facing port of the space station's Harmony module. The Ax-4 crew was welcomed by the seven-member Expedition 73 team at the ISS and took part in a safety briefing. Former NASA astronaut Peggy Whitson, ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) astronaut Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla, ESA (European Space Agency) astronauts Slawosz Uznanski-Wisniewski of Poland and Tibor Kapu of Hungary are part of the crew for the Axiom 4 mission. The astronauts plan to spend about two weeks aboard the orbiting laboratory, conducting a mission comprised of science, outreach, and commercial activities. (ANI)
