Former Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit warned that if the United States attacks Pakistan, Islamabad would retaliate by targeting Indian cities like Delhi and Mumbai. The statement, made during a discussion of hypothetical scenarios, reflects a strategic approach similar to Iran’s targeting of Gulf nations, which lack U.S. military bases. Basit, who served as Pakistan’s top diplomat in New Delhi from 2014 to 2017, emphasized that such a scenario remains highly unlikely but theoretically possible. Basit outlined a worst-case scenario in which the U.S. views Pakistan’s nuclear program as a threat or attempts to dismantle its capabilities. He suggested that if Pakistan could not directly strike U.S. bases in the Gulf or retaliate against Israel, India would become the default target. “If the U.S. attacks Pakistan and we cannot reach their bases in the Gulf or strike Israel, then what would be our only option? India,” he said. He added that even if Pakistan’s military range does not extend to India, a hostile action against Pakistan would necessitate a strike on Indian cities, including Mumbai and New Delhi. The remarks drew criticism for their perceived recklessness, as they contrast with the absence of U.S. military infrastructure in India. Analysts noted that while Iran’s attacks on Gulf nations leverage proximity to U.S. bases, Pakistan’s hypothetical retaliation against India lacks such strategic rationale. Basit’s comments were framed as provocative, highlighting the potential for escalation in a region already fraught with tensions. The warning came amid heightened global concerns about nuclear threats, with U.S. intelligence officials recently identifying Pakistan as a significant nuclear risk.#pakistan #united_states #india #tulsi_gabbard #abdal_basit
