Pakistan’s former envoy to India – Firstpost

As tensions in the West Asia intensify with the ongoing Iran war involving the United States and Israel, a controversial statement by former Pakistan High Commissioner to India Abdul Basit has raised fresh concerns about regional security.

Speaking about a hypothetical worst-case scenario, Basit, who served as Islamabad’s top diplomat in New Delhi from 2014 to 2017 suggested that Pakistan could strike India if faced with an existential military threat from the US or Israel.

#BreakingNews | “India may face 26/11-style attacks.”

Former Pak High Commissioner Abdul Basit warns of a catastrophic security blowback for India if the US and Israel ever plan to strike Pakistan and its nuclear facility#ExclusiveStory: @manojkumargupta @AmanKayamHai_ and… pic.twitter.com/rQIZOxPoDD

— News18 (@CNNnews18) March 21, 2026

Basit framed his statement around a deteriorating regional situation, saying, “Let’s say the situation in Iran worsens and Israel positions itself closer to us. Suppose a scenario develops where the United States also views our nuclear program negatively or attempts to destroy our nuclear capability.”

Though, he emphasised that such a scenario was highly unlikely but proceeded to outline its implications. “I am talking about a worst-case scenario, something that is among the impossibilities, because Pakistan has the capability to defend itself,” he said.

‘Only option would be India’

Elaborating on this hypothetical situation, Basit argued that if Pakistan were attacked by the United States and was unable to respond directly due to range or operational limitations—India would become the default target.

“If the US attacks Pakistan and we cannot reach their bases in the Gulf or strike Israel, then what would be our only option? India,” he said.

He further added that in such circumstances, Pakistan would not hesitate. “We would have nothing else to do. Even if our range does not extend there, if someone casts a hostile eye on us, we would, without hesitation, attack India—Mumbai, New Delhi—we would not hold back.”

Basit also suggested that consequences would be secondary in such a scenario. “Whatever happens afterward would be dealt with later and we should not hold back either,” he said, reiterating that such a situation remains unlikely but possible in theory.

Iran war escalation adds to regional anxiety

Basit’s remarks come at a time when the conflict involving Iran, the United States and Israel has entered a more volatile phase. Over the past three weeks, military strikes and counter-strikes have expanded across multiple fronts, with Israel reportedly targeting locations in Tehran and Beirut, while US forces remain engaged in strategic operations in the region.

Despite signals from US President Donald Trump about a possible exit strategy and claims of nearing key military objectives, the conflict continues to evolve unpredictably. Analysts warn that the widening scope of the war increases the risk of unintended consequences, including the involvement of additional regional actors.