Veteran Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar sparked controversy with his suggestion that India should prioritize dialogue with Pakistan instead of military posturing. He cautioned against escalating tensions, fearing it could prompt Pakistan to resort to its nuclear arsenal against India. Aiyar’s remarks came shortly after National Conference chief Farooq Abdullah also warned about the potential use of nuclear weapons by Pakistan if provoked.
“We really need to engage in dialogue with them. Right now, all we seem to be doing is showcasing our military strength, which is only making the situation more tense. And let’s not forget, they have nuclear weapons. Imagine if someone reckless decides to use them against India,” he remarked.
“We may have our own nuclear arsenal, but if someone reckless decides to target Lahore, it wouldn’t even take 8 seconds for the radiation to reach Amritsar,” he further emphasized.