His remarks came amid a recent flare-up in the Gulf, where US and Iranian forces clashed, and the United Arab Emirates came under renewed attack, threatening a month-old ceasefire and raising concerns over the prospects of a diplomatic resolution. The escalation took place as Washington awaited Tehran’s response to a proposal aimed at ending the conflict, which began with joint US-Israeli airstrikes across Iran on February 28.
The hopes for an agreement resurfaced in recent days after the US conveyed a proposal through Pakistani mediation, with Washington expecting an Iranian response on Friday. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the development could lead to a serious negotiation process.
Read: Rubio says US should get Iran response today
Speaking on a private television programme Naya Pakistan, Asif said that due to success in last year’s conflict against India, the nation appeared more confident compared to a year ago.
“About a year ago, there was an uncertain situation, including on the security front and in several other respects. We were facing multiple problems at that time, and those problems still exist — I do not deny that,” he said.
“As far as security is concerned, we are much more confident now, thanks to our armed forces,” he added.
Talking about Pakistan’s mediation role in the war between Iran and the US, he said Pakistan had a historical, geographical and religious relationship with Iran, adding that the two countries shared multiple ties that had been handled with balance.
He further said that diplomatically, Pakistan had succeeded in convincing the US to agree to a ceasefire aimed at restoring peace in the region. “We will also be among the major beneficiaries of this peace,” he added.
While expressing hope for an agreement between the two warring sides, he said that if sanctions were lifted after a deal with Iran, Pakistan would be able to obtain several commodities — currently sourced from international markets — directly from Iran through land routes, including gas and oil.
“The biggest benefit would be that our border would become secure, from where terrorism has occasionally infiltrated into our territory,” he said, adding that the border with Afghanistan remained insecure and discussions in this regard were also ongoing with China.
He attributed the recent rise in Pakistan’s stature to what he described as the country’s “historic victory” over India a year ago through Operation Bunyanum Marsoos and Marka-e-Haq.
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“Because of this, we have gained recognition internationally as a nation that can bring to its knees an enemy six times larger,” he said, adding that the dividends of that outcome were still benefitting Pakistan today as various global powers and neighbouring countries had developed confidence in Pakistan as an “honest negotiator”.
Calling the victory in Marka-e-Haq a decisive success, he said it had significantly boosted national confidence, as Pakistan had crossed a psychological barrier by demonstrating it could take on and defeat India, with the world acknowledging those efforts. “Even President Trump has, perhaps, mentioned 70 to 80 times how many Indian aircraft were downed,” he added.
He said the world had historically not treated Pakistan and India equally, but after the victory, not only were both countries being treated equally, but Pakistan was, in some cases, being viewed more favourably. “We have become an option, diplomatically as well as militarily. Pakistan is now accepted as a power to reckon with,” he said.
Responding to a question, he said India had also realised that issues could be resolved through diplomatic engagement with Pakistan. However, he added that the Indian prime minister, given his mindset and ideological Hindutva backing, would never accept this, as it would undermine his political narrative.
“Voices are emerging within India acknowledging that in this conflict India was defeated, Pakistan had the upper hand, and that in future these issues should be resolved peacefully,” he said.
He also alleged that India was engaged in proxy warfare against Pakistan through Afghanistan, describing Afghan actors as proxies of what he termed India’s Hindutva-driven approach, which he said had “nothing to do with religion”.
“Afghans are being used by extremist Hindutva thinking to create unrest along our western border,” he said.
He said India’s ultimate strategy was to encircle Pakistan from all sides, but added that Pakistan’s relations with Iran were strong, securing its 1,100-kilometre border.
He further said that if a negotiated settlement was reached with Afghanistan and cross-border terrorism was halted, Pakistan would be in a stronger position to deal with India with all flanks secured.
