Pakistan's Defense Minister Claims "India United Only Under Aurangzeb" Amid Rising Tensions and War Rhetoric

Pakistan's Defense Minister Khawaja Asif has made controversial claims stating that India was "never truly united" except during Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's rule - an assertion that contradicts established historical facts. Speaking to Pakistan's Samaa TV, Asif also warned that "chances of war with India are real."

These provocative statements follow India's recent warning to Islamabad against supporting state-sponsored terrorism, cautioning Pakistan about potential consequences to its geographical integrity.

Discussing Indian history, Asif claimed, "History shows that India was never one united nation, except briefly under Aurangzeb. Pakistan was created in the name of Allah. At home, we argue and compete. But in a fight with India, we come together."

This statement ignores historical reality - India has maintained a stable, unified democracy for over seven decades since independence from British rule, while Pakistan has experienced multiple military coups and political instability.

Historical evidence thoroughly refutes Asif's claim. The Maurya Empire (322-185 BCE) united most of the Indian subcontinent into a single state, creating one of the region's largest empires. Later, rulers like Samudragupta of the Gupta dynasty and Harshavardhana of the Pushyabhuti dynasty also achieved significant political unification across ancient India.

While Aurangzeb's Mughal rule did extend across most of the subcontinent territorially, his reign was characterized by constant warfare and rebellions. In contrast, Emperor Akbar's rule achieved both territorial consolidation and stability.

Regarding potential conflict, Asif stated, "I do not want escalation, but the risks are real, and I am not denying that. If it comes to war, God willing, we will achieve a better result than before."

These remarks come amid escalating tensions between the nuclear-armed neighbors. Recently, Indian Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi issued a stern warning to Pakistan: "Either stop supporting terrorism or get ready to lose its geographical presence."

General Dwivedi emphasized, "India is fully prepared this time. We will not show the restraint we exhibited during Operation Sindoor 1.0. This time, the action will be such that Pakistan will have to think whether it wants to exist geographically."

Khawaja Asif has previously made statements that embarrassed Pakistan internationally. Last month, he suggested Pakistanis in flood-prone areas should "store" floodwater in containers rather than allowing it to drain, describing floods as a "blessing."

During Operation Sindoor, Asif undermined Pakistan's credibility when he claimed on CNN that Pakistan had shot down Indian fighter jets. When pressed for evidence, he cited "social media" as his source.

CNN anchor Becky Anderson immediately challenged him, stating, "I'm sorry, we didn't ask you here to talk about social media content."