ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Monday warned that India would be “relegated to history” and its geography “changed” if it attempted any future misadventure against Pakistan.
Speaking during the Geo News programme Capital Talk, Asif said India was still struggling to recover from the damage caused during last year’s military confrontation with Pakistan.
“As a nation, India thinks that its esteem has been damaged,” the defence minister said.
“انڈیا نے اب ہمارے ساتھ پنگا لیا تو اس کا جغرافیہ بدل دیں گے”
دیکھئے وزیر دفاع خواجہ آصف کا جواب pic.twitter.com/jLYGmgZkgH— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) May 18, 2026
Asif was referring to last year’s standoff between the two nuclear-armed neighbours following the April 22 Pahalgam attack and the subsequent military confrontation that continued until the May 10 ceasefire.
Reflecting on the conflict, he said Pakistan’s armed forces had delivered a “devastating” response to India.
“If India attempts any misadventure against Pakistan, it would be relegated to history, and its geography would be changed,” the defence minister asserted.
He also criticised recent remarks by Indian Army Chief Upendra Dwivedi, who had said Pakistan had “to decide whether they want to be part of geography or history or not”.
“By making those kinds of remarks, the Indian army chief is trying to regain his lost respect,” Asif maintained, adding that during Marka-i-Haq, India was significantly battered.
The defence minister also referred to remarks made by the secretary general of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, who had called for keeping channels of dialogue open between Islamabad and New Delhi.
“There are also various critical voices against the government in India,” Asif said, adding that the stance of the Indian army and Indian civil society differed.
He further stated that countries including Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka — which India had considered its “extension” — no longer enjoyed the same relationship with New Delhi.
“India is now facing embarrassment on the foreign front,” he added.
اسرائیل اور بھارت مل کر پاکستان پر دباو ڈالنے لگے؟
دیکھئے وزیر دفاع خواجہ آصف کا جواب pic.twitter.com/fY1HCw5LnY— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) May 18, 2026
Meanwhile, Asif said Pakistan had attained “a highly reputable status” in the region.
Responding to a question regarding a possible nexus between India and Israel against Pakistan, the defence minister said there could be similarities in the objectives pursued by both countries.
“Israel doesn’t want anyone more powerful in this region other than its partner, India,” he said.
بھارتی آرمی چیف جنگ میں اپنی خفت مٹانے کیلئے ایسے بیان دے رہا ہے، خواجہ محمد آصف pic.twitter.com/b7aARyICwm
— Geo News Urdu (@geonews_urdu) May 18, 2026
Asif also commented on the Indus Waters Treaty, saying the agreement had remained in force for 66 years and that a recent decision by the Permanent Court of Arbitration had gone in Pakistan’s favour.
He stressed that the treaty had a robust dispute resolution mechanism and could not be suspended unilaterally.
‘War Will Not Return to Iran’
Responding to a question about the possibility of future attacks on Iran by the United States or Israel, Asif said he did not believe another war would erupt.
“My hunch is that war will not happen again,” he said.
He maintained that Israel was eager for attacks to be launched against Iran and potentially other countries in the region.
“The American public’s opinion is very clear about the Iran war. Their public does not want America to fight Israel’s war,” he said, adding that wars could not be sustained without public backing.
“Relationship with America is the real strength of Israel. Without America’s support, Israel cannot remain stable.”
Asif added that Pakistan’s ties with the United States and Iran reflected growing trust in Islamabad’s regional role.
He said countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, China and Russia did not want conflict to return to Iran.
Afghanistan
Discussing Pakistan’s relations with Afghanistan, Asif said he had recently raised concerns directly with Afghan Defence Minister Mullah Yaqoob.
He said he reminded Afghan officials that Pakistan and Afghanistan had historically shared common enemies.
“If you cannot be an enemy of our enemies, at least do not be friends with them. Do not provide them shelter or give them arms,” he said.
The defence minister said that India had managed to expand its influence in Afghanistan.
“Afghanistan is acting as a proxy for India against Pakistan,” he stated.
