Despite Losses, Why Pakistan Still Fights India? Army Chief Asim Munir Explains from Abbottabad
Abbottabad, Pakistan | April 26, 2025
Despite decades of military defeats and diplomatic isolation, Pakistan’s establishment refuses to ease its hostility toward India. The latest insight into this persistent aggression comes directly from Pakistan’s Chief of Army Staff, General Asim Munir, during a fiery address at the Pakistan Military Academy in Abbottabad.
Speaking to graduating cadets, Gen. Munir declared that Pakistan’s tensions with India are “not solely about geography or politics, but a question of ideology, honor, and survival.” He emphasized that even after battlefield setbacks, Pakistan’s military will continue to view India as its “eternal rival.”
“Defeat is temporary. Our cause is eternal,” Munir asserted, drawing applause from the assembled officers and cadets.
Pakistan’s Ideological War: More Than Just Borders
Experts say Gen. Munir’s speech reveals a deeper truth: for Pakistan’s military, the conflict with India goes beyond disputed borders like Kashmir. It taps into a foundational narrative built around religious identity, nationalism, and historical grievances dating back to the Partition of 1947.
Dr. Hassan Askari Rizvi, a Lahore-based political scientist, explained:
“The army has cultivated the India threat as part of Pakistan’s national identity. It is used to justify massive defense spending, political intervention, and to rally public support in times of crisis.”
Even as Pakistan grapples with inflation, political turmoil, and the aftermath of natural disasters, the army continues to prioritize military readiness against India.
Economic Crisis vs. Military Posturing
Interestingly, Gen. Munir’s hardline message comes at a time when Pakistan’s economy teeters on the brink of collapse. Inflation is soaring above 38%, foreign reserves have dwindled, and international aid is drying up.
Yet instead of focusing inward, the military establishment doubles down on external threats. Observers believe that raising the India bogeyman helps the army tighten its grip on Pakistan’s fragile civilian government.
“It’s a diversionary tactic,” said retired Indian diplomat Ambassador Rakesh Sood. “When you can’t deliver electricity or bread, you deliver nationalism.”
India Responds With Caution
In New Delhi, Indian defense officials responded calmly to Gen. Munir’s remarks. Speaking anonymously, a senior military officer stated,
“India has consistently pursued peace, but we are prepared to defend every inch of our territory. Pakistan’s obsession with India is hurting their own people, not us.”
Officially, the Ministry of External Affairs declined to comment, signaling that India wants to avoid giving undue importance to provocative statements.
The Road Ahead: Endless Tension?
As both countries prepare for summer military exercises along the Line of Control (LoC), Gen. Munir’s speech signals that Pakistan’s army will continue its traditional playbook — keeping India in its crosshairs even at the cost of its own stability.
For ordinary Pakistanis struggling with rising food prices and power cuts, however, such fiery rhetoric offers little comfort.
