Following a US-brokered ceasefire understanding between nuclear-armed Pakistan and India, Defence Minister Khawaja Asif stated on Saturday that India expected a weak response, but its strategy crumbled before Pakistan’s calm and calculated response.
“The myth of Indian’s arrogance has vanished into thin air,” he said, adding that India thought it would bring Pakistan to the negotiating table on its own terms through military aggression.
Speaking of dialogue, he stated that matters related to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), terrorism, and Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK) would be discussed in potential talks with New Delhi.
His remarks followed reports circulating on social and mainstream media that the IWT—a key water-sharing pact between India and Pakistan—will remain suspended, despite the countries reaching a ceasefire agreement.
The IWT, mediated by the World Bank in 1960, regulates the division of water from the Indus River and its tributaries between the South Asian nations. India withdrew from it last month after a deadly attack targeting tourists in Pahalgam, (IIOJK). India accused Pakistan of involvement in the attack, while Islamabad denied involvement in the violence and stated it was preparing international legal action over the suspension of the treaty, which ensures water for 80% of its farms.
Speaking on Geo News, the defence minister said, “These are the three major issues [IWT, terrorism, and Kashmir] that can be discussed as of now.”
He said that India likely did not expect such a response from Islamabad, as the armed forces of Pakistan stunned the Indian forces in the four-day clashes.
The latest escalation in the decades-old Pakistan-India rivalry began on May 7th when at least 31 civilians, including children, were killed in an unprovoked Indian cross-border attack. In retaliation, Pakistan downed five IAF fighter jets, including three Rafales, and numerous drones.
During the escalation, India sent drones into Pakistani territory, with the military shooting down nearly 80, including Israeli-made IAI Heron—medium-altitude, long-endurance—unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
In the early hours of Saturday, the Pakistan army launched “Operation Bunyan-um-Marsoos,” targeting multiple Indian military installations, according to security sources.
Referring to India’s defeat during the recent clashes, the defence minister said Pakistan had dispelled Indian misconceptions about power.
“India was gripped by the hubris of power, but its arrogance has collapsed in the face of Pakistan’s composed and strategic response,” the minister added.
Responding to a question, the minister said that Islamabad repeatedly asked New Delhi to provide evidence in support of their allegation against Pakistan regarding the Pahalgam incident.
Instead of providing evidence, India attacked Pakistan, he said, adding that New Delhi’s credibility had been called into question due to its behaviour. The minister said that the international community appreciated Pakistan’s stance on the matter.
He emphasized that Pakistan maintained restraint throughout the episode, kept its threshold low, and prioritized peace without compromising its presence or security.
“India’s military and diplomatic assessments have been proven wrong. Their narrative has found no acceptance globally due to their failure to provide evidence or allow impartial investigation,” he said.
He further said that India failed to secure backing from a single country.
“We hope India, and particularly its leadership, will one day prioritize the region’s future over party interests. Peaceful coexistence based on equality is key to South Asia’s progress,” he added.
