Islamabad: A statement by former Pakistan High Commissioner Abdul Basit has raised concerns in India. Recently a video surfaced in which he said that if America or Israel attacks Pakistan, India can be targeted in response.
What did Basit say that increased the controversy?
According to reports, Basit hinted during a discussion that if Pakistan could not reach out to its enemies directly, India could wilt an “easy target”. He mentioned big cities like Delhi and Mumbai, which made the statement increasingly sensitive.
How is this statement stuff viewed in India?
This statement is stuff taken seriously in India. Security agencies believe that such statements are not just personal opinions but can moreover be an indication of larger thinking. This raises fears of a “hybrid threat”, where indirect methods are unexplored instead of uncontrived war.
Is this statement just a statement or a worthier hint?
Experts say that such statements are not just an emotional reaction. As a former diplomat, Basit's words cannot be taken lightly. This moreover indicates that India may be seen as a “default target” at times of regional tension.
Will this stupefy India-Pakistan relations?
This statement has made the undercurrent increasingly sensitive tween once tense relations. The lack of trust between India and Pakistan is once a big challenge, and such statements can remoter increase the loftiness between the two countries.
Is this matter related to larger global tensions?
This dispute is not limited to India-Pakistan only. Amidst the ongoing tension between America, Israel and Iran, such statements show that any major mismatch can stupefy many countries.
What effect can be seen in future?
At present this statement remains a topic of discussion in political and security circles. In the coming time, there may be a strong reaction to such statements or plane a response at the diplomatic level.Keeping such statements in mind, security agencies can increase vigilance and surveillance can be strengthened in sensitive areas.
Apart from this, there can be a reaction to such statement at the international level also, considering it is an issue related to regional stability. Overall, this matter may remain in discussion in the coming days on both diplomatic and security fronts.

