ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif on Sunday said Indian propaganda targeting him would not restore Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s declining reputation, as the Indian leader is under intense domestic and international pressure following India’s worst defeat in last year’s war with Pakistan.
During the four-day conflict in May 2025, Pakistan downed six Indian fighter jets, including the French-made Rafale. New Delhi also acknowledged “losses” during the conflict.
In a post on X, Defence Minister Asif said that “coming after me doesn’t solve the problem” and dismissed personal attacks against him by Indian commentators.
“Calling me mentally unstable won’t bring stability to Modi’s pitiably crumbling reputation both at home and abroad, especially after the beating he got from Pakistan last year,” the defence minister wrote.
Coming after me doesn't solve the problem. Calling me mentally unstable won't bring stability to Modi's pitiably crumbling reputation both at home and abroad specially after beating he got from Pakistan last year.
Rahul Gandhi is saying the same thing about the awards given to… https://t.co/5C1rmbIN4K
— Khawaja M. Asif (@KhawajaMAsif) July 5, 2026
Modi come under criticism following a report by British newspaper The Guardian that several honours Modi received during overseas visits were created shortly before his arrival in the respective host countries, prompting questions over their authenticity.
The controversy intensified after Modi received one of Seychelles’ highest civilian honours during his recent visit to the Indian Ocean island nation. According to The Guardian, the award was created only three days before Modi’s arrival, making him its first and only recipient.
During the visit, Seychelles President Patrick Herminie presented Modi with the “Guardian of the Blue Horizon” distinction, along with a trophy and certificate.
Social media users quickly identified errors on the certificate, including the misspelling of the words “Republic” and “Seychelles”.
Khawaja Asif said that Indian opposition leader Rahul Gandhi is also saying the same thing about the awards given to Modi — that they are AI-generated or self-managed to project a global statesman image.
“It has actually enhanced his reputation as a global con man. Even The Guardian, a reputable paper, flagged the same issue and questioned the credibility of those awards,” Khawaja Asif stated.
“Modi’s desperate measures to import fake laurels from abroad are an attempt to stabilise a reputation that is pathetically unstable at home,” the Defence Minister said.
The Guardian reported that multiple artificial intelligence detection tools flagged the certificate as AI-generated, fuelling further criticism over the award’s credibility.
‘Give him any award, and he’ll come running’
The report triggered political reactions in India, with opposition leaders accusing Modi of pursuing personality-driven politics.
Congress leader Supriya Shrinate criticised the episode in a post on X.
“Give him any award, and he’ll come running,” she wrote.
The world has figured Modi out.
Give him any award, and he’ll come running.
Seychelles approved a brand-new award – ‘Guardian of the Blue Horizon’ – just four days ago.
It had never been given to anyone before Modi. They were in such a tearing hurry that they even got the… pic.twitter.com/dKpNt3SCJp
— Supriya Shrinate (@SupriyaShrinate) June 28, 2026
“They were in such a tearing hurry that they even got the official name of the Republic of Seychelles wrong,” she added.
