Pakistan Army Chief General Asim Munir stirred a fresh wave of controversy with his divisive remarks at the Overseas Pakistanis Convention in Islamabad, where he reignited anti-India rhetoric and defended the two-nation theory with a pointed attack on Hindu identity and Indian sovereignty.

In a speech aimed at reinforcing Pakistan’s ideological roots, Munir urged citizens to pass down the narrative of Pakistan’s creation to future generations. Asserting cultural and ideological separation from Hindus, he said the foundation of Pakistan lies in being fundamentally distinct from India in “religion, customs, traditions, thoughts, and ambitions.”

Reiterating the justification behind the two-nation theory, Munir claimed that this ideological division was central to the formation of Pakistan and said the nation’s forefathers “sacrificed immensely” for it. His remarks have drawn criticism for deepening communal fault lines and invoking an outdated, divisive ideology.

Adding to his controversial speech, General Munir targeted India over the Kashmir issue, claiming that “no power in the world can separate Kashmir from Pakistan.” His comments follow India’s sharp rebuke at the United Nations, where it called on Pakistan to vacate illegally occupied territories in Jammu and Kashmir.

The army chief also shifted focus to domestic security, issuing a strong warning to insurgent groups in Balochistan. Naming organizations like the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF), and Baloch Republican Army (BRA), Munir vowed to crush terrorism and asserted that no militant force would be allowed to destabilize the region. “Even ten generations of terrorists cannot harm Balochistan and Pakistan,” he said, according to Dawn.

General Munir’s comments come at a time of increasing diplomatic friction between India and Pakistan, particularly over Kashmir.