Ex-Pak envoy’s India comments spark concern amid regional tensions
March 22, 2026: Amid ongoing tensions involving the US, Israel and Iran, former Pakistani diplomat Abdul Basit has stirred controversy with remarks suggesting Pakistan should not rule out targeting Indian cities in extreme circumstances. His comments have been widely criticised as provocative, especially given the fragile security situation in the region.
Basit, who served as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to India and ambassador to Germany, argued that if Pakistan is unable to directly respond to its primary adversary, it may consider alternative options. His reference to cities like Mumbai and New Delhi has revived memories of past incidents such as the 2008 Mumbai attacks, highlighting ongoing concerns over cross-border tensions.
Elaborating on a hypothetical worst-case scenario, Basit suggested Pakistan could face threats to its nuclear programme, limiting its response options. He claimed that in such a situation, retaliation against India could be considered, although he acknowledged that such circumstances are unlikely and expressed hope that tensions would not escalate further.