The elevation of Pakistan’s Army Chief, General Asim Munir, to the rank of Field Marshal is a rare and consequential development—only the second in the nation’s history after Ayub Khan. Far from a ceremonial gesture, this move signals a deeper, strategic recalibration within Pakistan’s military establishment. It reflects an intent to entrench a long-term, low-intensity confrontation with India—a Cold War–style standoff marked by asymmetric tactics, regional alignments, and a sustained ideological conflict.
A Rank with Strategic Weight
Unlike Ayub Khan, who promoted himself to Field Marshal after seizing power in 1958, Munir’s elevation has come from a civilian government that remains largely subordinate to the military. Crucially, Munir retains command of the army, unlike other countries where the Field Marshal rank is often ceremonial. This move institutionalises his influence and suggests a continuity of military-first governance, especially with respect to India.
Military Supremacy over Civilian Authority
The Pakistani army has long functioned as a “deep state.” Under Munir, this role has become even more explicit. His trusted appointees, including Lt Gen Asim Malik as National Security Advisor, have sidelined civilian input in strategic decision-making. The promotion to Field Marshal effectively grants Munir institutional immunity and entrenches the army’s control over national security, foreign policy, and internal stability—all of which revolve around India as the central threat.
Reinforcing Anti-India Nationalism
Pakistan’s military has historically leveraged the India threat narrative to justify its centrality. Munir is doubling down on this strategy. From public speeches on Kashmir as Pakistan’s “jugular vein” to invoking the two-nation theory, Munir is actively shaping a national identity rooted in opposition to India. This narrative not only fuels public nationalism but also serves as a justification for the military’s oversized budget and political role.
Strategic Patience or Stealth Provocation?
Munir appears to be adopting a doctrine of “strategic patience”—a Cold War-style policy of indirect engagement rather than full-scale war. Pakistan’s focus under his leadership has shifted to hybrid warfare: cyber intrusions, information operations, drone incursions, and proxy militias. This strategy wears down India’s stability gradually, without overt aggression. The result is a simmering, sustained hostility with no clear endpoint—classic hallmarks of Cold War-style conflict.
Balakot to Operation Sindoor: A Pattern Emerges
India’s Balakot airstrikes in 2019 and the more recent Operation Sindoor in 2025 reveal the changing nature of Indo-Pak confrontations. These are no longer episodic flashpoints but carefully calibrated confrontations. Under Munir, Pakistan appears more willing to engage through attrition and ambiguity—utilising non-state actors, disinformation, and deniable tactics to stretch India’s military and political bandwidth over time.
China and the Strategic Axis
Munir’s strategy cannot be examined in isolation from Pakistan’s growing alignment with China. With the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) as its economic spine and Beijing’s military support as its shield, Pakistan under Munir is firmly embedded in a strategic axis aimed at constraining India. Joint military exercises, cyber cooperation, and Beijing’s tacit support on Kashmir further tighten this alliance. Aided by China and possibly supported by groups like the Taliban, this trilateral front represents a concerted effort to encircle and distract India on multiple fronts.
What India Should Watch Closely
India must rethink its engagement strategy toward Pakistan. The threats are no longer limited to LOC shelling or diplomatic jousting. The real danger lies in Pakistan’s growing capabilities in asymmetric warfare—cyberattacks, drone-based infiltration, online propaganda, and proxy militias. Special attention must be given to border states like Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab, but the challenge is national.
Equally, India should reinforce its regional and global alliances—deepening cooperation with Quad members, expanding ties with Gulf powers, and enhancing maritime and cyber deterrence strategies.
Conclusion: Preparing for the Long Game
Asim Munir’s promotion to Field Marshal is not merely an internal military development—it is a deliberate strategic signal. Pakistan’s military is preparing not for a traditional war, but for a generational rivalry with India that spans ideology, perception, and technology.
India must look beyond short-term flashpoints. The real challenge lies in countering a long-term, state-sponsored confrontation—less visible, but no less dangerous.
