NEW DELHI: In a sharp rebuke of Pakistan’s military and political leadership, BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad on Tuesday mocked the promotion of Pakistan’s chief of army staff, General Asim Munir, to the rank of Field Marshal.
This came despite what he called “recent military and strategic failures” during India’s Operation Sindoor .
Delegation in France highlights terrorism concerns
Leading an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation to France, Prasad criticised Pakistan for what he termed as a “state of denial” over its role in fuelling terrorism in the region. The Indian delegation, comprising MPs from across party lines, met French and international media in Paris for a discussion on India’s counter-terror efforts and regional security.
"The most hilarious aspect was that the general whose forces were defeated at the hands of India decisively was promoted to Field Marshal. This is state of denial," said Prasad, referring to Munir’s elevation in the wake of Operation Sindoor.
Pakistan’s ‘historic victory’ claim and military influence
Despite this, Pakistan has projected the outcome as a “historic victory” and praised Munir’s leadership. General Munir now becomes only the second officer in Pakistan’s history to be made Field Marshal. The first, Ayub Khan, self-appointed himself to the role after assuming power through a coup in 1958.
Prasad noted that Munir’s promotion reflects the deep entrenchment of military influence in Pakistan’s civilian affairs. "Terrorism as an instrument of state policy is a part of the military state of Pakistan. You know that no democracy there," he said, underscoring how the army continues to call the shots in the country.
Pakistan in denial about terrorism, says Prasad
He further pointed out that Pakistan’s refusal to acknowledge its role in cross-border terrorism continues to obstruct peace in the region. "The distinction between the state of Pakistan and terrorism has withered away," he said.
Briefing French journalists, Prasad stressed that the Indian delegation had not come to France in happier times but to convey a clear and direct message. "We have not come to Paris and meeting you in happier times. But we have to we have come to convey some straight message. Terrorism is not India centric, terrorism is now a global phenomenena," he said.
Highlighting international concern, he said, "In the majority of the cases, terrorists, their patrons, and the groups, terror groups based in Pakistan have direct or indirect involvement. Today, there are 52 designated terrorists by UN."
India's history of wars with Pakistan
Prasad also revisited the history of wars between India and Pakistan. "India and Pakistan has four clear wars, 1948, 1965, 1971 where Bangladesh was created And Kargil war. None of these were started by India. I repeat, none of these were started by India," he emphasised, adding that successive Indian governments, including that of Prime Minister Modi, made peace overtures to Pakistan.
He recalled PM Modi’s invitation to Nawaz Sharif in 2014 and his personal visit to attend a family wedding in Pakistan. "And thereafter this has continued unabated. This time, India has conveyed in very clear terms this far and. and no further," he said.
Clear message: You stop, we stop
"A new norm has been set. We had attacked only the terrorist infrastructure... We conveyed to Pakistan that we did not want to escalate. We only wanted to attack terror infrastructure... On the morning of May 10, their DGMO talked to our DGMO... Our message was clear, you stop, we stop... Any act of terrorism will be constituted as an act of war," he added.
Touching on the Indus Water Treaty , Prasad mentioned that it remains in abeyance until Pakistan provides verifiable proof that it has ceased supporting terrorism.
Operation Sindoor: India’s response to Pahalgam attack
Operation Sindoor was a decisive Indian military operation launched on May 7 in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead.
The operation targeted terror infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian military reported the killing of over 100 terrorists linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Indian forces also responded to Pakistani retaliation by targeting airbases, eventually resulting in a mutual ceasefire on May 10.
This came despite what he called “recent military and strategic failures” during India’s Operation Sindoor .
Delegation in France highlights terrorism concerns
Leading an all-party Indian parliamentary delegation to France, Prasad criticised Pakistan for what he termed as a “state of denial” over its role in fuelling terrorism in the region. The Indian delegation, comprising MPs from across party lines, met French and international media in Paris for a discussion on India’s counter-terror efforts and regional security.
"The most hilarious aspect was that the general whose forces were defeated at the hands of India decisively was promoted to Field Marshal. This is state of denial," said Prasad, referring to Munir’s elevation in the wake of Operation Sindoor.
Pakistan’s ‘historic victory’ claim and military influence
Despite this, Pakistan has projected the outcome as a “historic victory” and praised Munir’s leadership. General Munir now becomes only the second officer in Pakistan’s history to be made Field Marshal. The first, Ayub Khan, self-appointed himself to the role after assuming power through a coup in 1958.
Prasad noted that Munir’s promotion reflects the deep entrenchment of military influence in Pakistan’s civilian affairs. "Terrorism as an instrument of state policy is a part of the military state of Pakistan. You know that no democracy there," he said, underscoring how the army continues to call the shots in the country.
Pakistan in denial about terrorism, says Prasad
He further pointed out that Pakistan’s refusal to acknowledge its role in cross-border terrorism continues to obstruct peace in the region. "The distinction between the state of Pakistan and terrorism has withered away," he said.
Briefing French journalists, Prasad stressed that the Indian delegation had not come to France in happier times but to convey a clear and direct message. "We have not come to Paris and meeting you in happier times. But we have to we have come to convey some straight message. Terrorism is not India centric, terrorism is now a global phenomenena," he said.
Highlighting international concern, he said, "In the majority of the cases, terrorists, their patrons, and the groups, terror groups based in Pakistan have direct or indirect involvement. Today, there are 52 designated terrorists by UN."
India's history of wars with Pakistan
Prasad also revisited the history of wars between India and Pakistan. "India and Pakistan has four clear wars, 1948, 1965, 1971 where Bangladesh was created And Kargil war. None of these were started by India. I repeat, none of these were started by India," he emphasised, adding that successive Indian governments, including that of Prime Minister Modi, made peace overtures to Pakistan.
He recalled PM Modi’s invitation to Nawaz Sharif in 2014 and his personal visit to attend a family wedding in Pakistan. "And thereafter this has continued unabated. This time, India has conveyed in very clear terms this far and. and no further," he said.
Clear message: You stop, we stop
"A new norm has been set. We had attacked only the terrorist infrastructure... We conveyed to Pakistan that we did not want to escalate. We only wanted to attack terror infrastructure... On the morning of May 10, their DGMO talked to our DGMO... Our message was clear, you stop, we stop... Any act of terrorism will be constituted as an act of war," he added.
Touching on the Indus Water Treaty , Prasad mentioned that it remains in abeyance until Pakistan provides verifiable proof that it has ceased supporting terrorism.
Operation Sindoor: India’s response to Pahalgam attack
Operation Sindoor was a decisive Indian military operation launched on May 7 in response to a terror attack in Pahalgam that left 26 civilians dead.
The operation targeted terror infrastructure inside Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir. The Indian military reported the killing of over 100 terrorists linked to groups such as Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Taiba, and Hizbul Mujahideen. Indian forces also responded to Pakistani retaliation by targeting airbases, eventually resulting in a mutual ceasefire on May 10.
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