India has firmly denounced the recent nuclear threat made by Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir, labeling it as “nuclear sabre-rattling” and a troubling indication of Islamabad’s irresponsibility.

In a statement released on Monday, the Ministry of External Affairs expressed disappointment that Munir would make such comments while visiting a friendly nation, the United States. During an event with individuals of Pakistani descent in Tampa, Florida, Munir allegedly cautioned of nuclear conflict if Pakistan were to face an existential threat from India.

“The international community can assess the recklessness of such statements, which only heighten concerns regarding nuclear command and control in a nation where the military collaborates closely with terrorist organizations,” the ministry stated. It emphasized that India will not be intimidated by “nuclear blackmail” and will undertake all necessary measures to protect national security.

Government sources referred to Pakistan as an “irresponsible state with nuclear capabilities” and asserted that Munir’s remarks followed a predictable pattern: “Whenever the US backs Pakistan’s military, they reveal their true nature.” They also cautioned about the risk of nuclear weapons being acquired by non-state actors in Pakistan, noting that the military—not the democratic institutions—holds power.

Munir reportedly stated, “We are a nuclear nation. If we believe we are going down, we’ll take half the world down with us.” He further threatened to obliterate any Indian infrastructure along the Indus River, asserting that New Delhi’s decision to suspend the Indus Waters Treaty following the April Pahalgam terror attack could jeopardize 250 million Pakistanis.

These comments represent the first known instance of nuclear threats against a third nation being issued from US territory.