Pakistan President Zardari claims India preparing for another war, New Delhi calls it 'defensive posturing'

Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari -- File Photo

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari warned India against preparing for war, urging negotiations for regional security. He portrayed Pakistan as a responsible nuclear state, but Indian sources dismissed his remarks as political posturing amid Pakistan’s internal crises.

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Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari has issued a warning to India while claiming to advocate peace, even as his remarks included veiled threats of another conflict between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

Speaking during an address to a joint session of Pakistan’s Parliament, Zardari said India should avoid preparing for war and instead move towards negotiations, according to a report by CNN-News18.

“India's leaders say they are preparing for another war. As a lifelong advocate of regional peace, I would not recommend it,” Zardari said.

However, his message quickly shifted to a warning, suggesting Pakistan was ready for a confrontation if needed.

“My message to them (India) is to move away from the war theatres to meaningful negotiating tables because that is the only path for regional security,” he added.

During the address, Zardari also attempted to portray Pakistan as a responsible nuclear power while simultaneously warning India about the consequences of conflict.

“Pakistan is a responsible nuclear state and understands the weight of that responsibility. At the same time, we are a state that defends itself when required,” he said, according to CNN-News18.

Indian intelligence sources, however, dismissed Zardari’s remarks as political signalling rather than a genuine call for peace. According to the sources cited by CNN-News18, the speech was merely “defensive posturing” aimed at diverting attention from the multiple crises currently engulfing Pakistan.

The sources pointed out that Islamabad is grappling with serious domestic and regional challenges, including escalating tensions and a full-blown conflict along its border with neighbouring Afghanistan.

Analysts note that Pakistani leaders frequently combine calls for dialogue with confrontational rhetoric directed at India. Critics say such statements are often intended to shift focus away from internal instability and security problems within Pakistan.

India has consistently maintained that any meaningful dialogue with Pakistan can only take place if Islamabad takes credible and verifiable action against terrorist networks operating from its territory.