By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar has declared that Pakistan has decisively rejected India’s so-called “new normal”, asserting that the country has shattered New Delhi’s ambitions of regional dominance.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Dar said Pakistan had “blown away India’s monopoly” and crushed its illusion of superiority. “India’s dream of regional hegemony has come crashing down,” he said. The deputy prime minister also confirmed the downing of six Indian aircraft and drones, including four Rafale fighter jets, in what he described as a clear show of strength.
While he did not elaborate on the exact timeline or context of these incidents, Dar linked them to a broader shift in regional dynamics. He went on to say that Pakistan’s diplomatic campaigns are gaining ground globally. “India is in mourning,” Dar remarked. “Their diplomatic missions are in disarray, and they are now blaming each other for their failures.”
On the question of dialogue, Dar said Pakistan is open to talks with India but is in no rush. “We are ready for talks—but not desperate,” he said, suggesting that any future engagement would be on Pakistan’s terms, not under pressure. The deputy prime minister also highlighted new developments in regional connectivity, revealing that China has agreed to extend the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) into Afghanistan.
Ishaq Dar added that during recent trilateral talks, China expressed willingness to integrate the proposed railway link connecting Pakistan, Afghanistan and Uzbekistan into the broader CPEC framework. The remarks underline Islamabad’s sharpened posture on regional diplomacy and defence, coming at a time when tensions with India remain high and new alignments are forming across Central and South Asia.
