Barely Four Months After His Kashmir Speech That Preceded Pahalgam Attack, Asim Munir Now Gives Nuclear Threat From U.S. Soil; And More

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Pakistan Army Chief Issues Nuclear Threat During Second U.S. Visit In Two Months: Report

Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir issued stark nuclear threats during his second visit to Washington in two months, according to a report in an Indian digital daily. Munir warned that Pakistan would "take half the world down" if it faced an existential threat.

Speaking at a black-tie dinner hosted by businessman Adnan Asad, the honorary consul in Tampa, Munir reportedly declared: "We are a nuclear nation, if we think we are going down, we'll take half the world down with us”. 

The Pakistani military leader also escalated rhetoric over the Indus Waters Treaty, claiming India's decision to place it in abeyance could endanger 250 million people. Munir threatened to destroy any Indian dam construction with missiles, stating: "We will wait for India to build a dam, and when it does so, we will destroy it with 10 missiles."

"The Indus river is not the Indians' family property. We have no shortage of missiles, praise be to God," Munir reportedly added. 

Notably, the last time Munir made provocative statements in a speech, in mid-April, the Pahalgam attack followed soon after. 

You’ll Get Your Chance: PM Modi To Navy After Op Sindoor Pause

According to a latest report in a national daily, after deciding to halt operations during Operation Sindoor, Prime Minister Narendra Modi told Naval Chief Admiral Dinesh Tripathi, "Humne aapke mooh se niwala cheen liya, aapko mauka phir milega" ("I have snatched the morsel out of your mouth, but your turn will come"). This context for this comment is that both the Indian Army and Air Force had successfully hit targets inside Pakistan during Operation Sindoor while the Navy was on standby to launch an attack on Karachi. 

According to the same report, the Prime Minister's remarks to the Naval Chief came shortly after the Indian Navy received orders to abort a planned BrahMos missile strike on Karachi port. Despite potential risks of Pakistani retaliation targeting his home state of Gujarat, the report claims that PM Modi had authorized the three service chiefs to proceed with full operational freedom and was prepared for escalatory consequences. 

Other developments

Modi Counters Trump's "Dead Economy" Jibe in Bengaluru speech

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asserted that India is rapidly advancing toward becoming the world's third-largest economy, powered by a "reform, perform and transform" approach, days after US President Donald Trump labeled India a "dead economy."

Speaking at the foundation stone ceremony for Bangalore Metro Phase-3 while flagging off three Vande Bharat Express trains, Modi highlighted India's economic leap from 10th to fifth position globally over the past 11 years. "We are moving fast to become one of the top three economies of the world through clear intention and honest efforts," he declared.

The Prime Minister cited substantial infrastructure gains since 2014: metro rail coverage expanded from five cities to over 1,000 km across 24 cities, railway electrification doubled from 20,000 to 40,000 km, airports increased from 74 to over 160, and national waterways grew from three to 30. Modi also noted export growth from $468 billion to $824 billion, with India now ranking among the top five mobile handset exporters globally.

We Are Everybody's Boss: Rajnath Singh’s Veiled Dig At Trump Amidst U.S. Tariff Dispute

Speaking at an investment event in Madhya Pradesh, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made sharp remarks about jealousy from "some boss" regarding India's rise, and then went to say: “Sab ke boss toh hum hain” (We are everybody’s boss). 

The Defence Minister’s comments come barely days after U.S. President Trump imposed a 50 per cent tariff on Indian goods. 

The Defence Minister also said that some countries were trying to damage Indian exports by ensuring that ‘products made in India, by Indian hands, become more expensive than those made in other countries, so that when their prices rise, the world stops buying them’. However, India was advancing so rapidly, according to him, ‘no force in the world could prevent India from becoming a major global power’.  

‘We are exporting defence items worth more than Rs 24,000 crore’, Singh said. ‘This is the strength of India. This is the new defence sector of India, and exports are continuously rising’. 

Karnataka Top Electoral Officer Issues Notice to Rahul Gandhi

Karnataka's Chief Electoral Officer issued a formal notice to Leader of Opposition, Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi demanding "relevant documents" supporting his allegations of voter fraud in Mahadevapura constituency, that falls in Bengaluru Central Lok Sabha constituency. 

In a press conference last week, which Gandhi himself termed an ‘atom bomb’, Gandhi had claimed that one 70-year-old Shakun Rani voted twice in the 2024 Lok Sabha election, but upon inquiry, the woman confirmed she voted only once. 

The CEO highlighted that one of the images Gandhi showed containing Shakun Rani's name was "not a document issued by the polling officer." Gandhi had alleged theft of 1,00,250 votes, including 12,000 duplicate voters and 40,000 with fake addresses, citing Shakun Rani as evidence. 

INDI Alliance Plans Joint Vice Presidential Candidate

The opposition INDIA bloc will field a joint candidate for the upcoming vice presidential election, with Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge spearheading consultations among alliance partners. 

Source-based reports claimed Sunday that there is strong sentiment among opposition parties to contest the election as a unified front. While formal discussions on candidate selection have not yet commenced, backchannel negotiations are underway. 

Kharge has been actively reaching out to opposition leaders to explore potential names and forge agreement on the joint candidature. 

However, some within the opposition camp believe the INDIA bloc should finalise its nominee only after the ruling BJP announces its candidate. 

West Asia: Netanyahu Defends Gaza War Expansion as "Best Way to End Conflict"

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended his plan to expand military operations in Gaza on Sunday, asserting it represents "the best way to end the war". The announcement follows last Friday's security cabinet decision to capture Gaza City.

Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said the expanded operation would target remaining Hamas strongholds on "a fairly short timetable because we want to bring the war to an end."

"Israel has no choice but to finish the job and complete the defeat of Hamas," Netanyahu stated, claiming Israeli forces control 70-75 percent of Gaza. He identified two remaining targets: "Gaza City and the central camps in Al Mawasi."

The operation aims to dismantle Hamas strongholds while establishing secure corridors and safe zones for civilian evacuation.

From The States

Uttar Pradesh Government Will Fund Treatment of Terminally Ill Poor Patients

Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced on Sunday that the state government will bear complete treatment costs for critically ill poor patients through the Chief Minister's Discretionary Fund.

The announcement came during the Janata Darshan event at Gorakhnath temple, where Adityanath interacted with over 200 visitors. Addressing concerns about expensive critical care, he assured that patients would receive treatment at top hospitals without financial burden.

Adityanath directed officials to prepare priority treatment cost estimates for immediate government submission, ensuring timely financial assistance.

PM Modi Inaugurates Bengaluru Metro Yellow Line, Flags Off Three Vande Bharat Trains

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday inaugurated the Yellow line of Bengaluru Metro's Phase-2 project, connecting RV Road in South Bengaluru to Bommasandra in the east, while also flagging off three new Vande Bharat Express trains.

The newly inaugurated metro line spans over 19 kilometers with 16 stations, constructed at a cost of Rs 7,160 crore. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone for the Bangalore Metro Phase-3 project during the ceremony.

The Yellow line expansion is expected to significantly ease traffic congestion in the city while providing connectivity between key areas.

PM Modi also flagged off three Vande Bharat Express trains from KSR Railway Station, including the longest Vande Bharat route between Ajni in Nagpur and Pune.

You’re all caught up—until next time.