Pakistani Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir reaffirmed his hardline anti-India position by terming Kashmir the "jugular vein" of Pakistan in an address to Pakistani expatriates in Tampa, Florida, as part of his official visit to the United States.
Mr. Munir spoke these words only weeks before the attack on Pahalgam, stressing that Pakistan never forgot the Kashmir question. "It was our jugular vein," he insisted—a remark for which he earned fierce criticism from India.
In reply to Munir's remark, India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated, "How can anything foreign be in a jugular vein? This is a union territory of India. Its only relation with Pakistan is the vacation of illegally occupied territory by that country."
In his speech, Munir asserted that Pakistan had acted "resolutely and forcefully" in the recent war against India, stating that any Indian aggression would be met with a "befitting response." The Pakistani military pointed out that the visit is the second by Munir in a month and a half, signifying a new era of Pakistan-U.S. relations to bring about a constructive, sustainable, and positive trend.
Speaking about Kashmir, Munir stated, "It is not India's domestic issue but a partial international agenda. As the Quaid-e-Azam had stated, Kashmir is the 'jugular vein' of Pakistan."
He also conveyed Pakistan's appreciation to the then U.S. President Donald Trump, attributing his strategic leadership with having averted war between India and Pakistan and averting several conflicts globally.
But New Delhi insists that the India-Pakistan ceasefire was due to direct military negotiations without the mediation of the U.S.
Munir also stressed hopes of a trade agreement with the U.S., hoping for heavy investments and mentioning Pakistan's recent diplomatic successes.
Munir traveled to the U.S. in June on an unusual five-day visit, with a private luncheon with President Trump—a first for someone not of head-of-state or head-of-government rank. The encounter resulted in announcements of greater U.S.-Pakistan cooperation, including a deal on oil.
During his visit to Tampa, Munir witnessed the retirement ceremony of the outgoing United States Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Michael E. Kurilla and the change of command ceremony ushering in Admiral Brad Cooper. He also called on Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine to exchange views on matters of mutual professional interest, the Pakistani army statement said.
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