New Delhi, Aug. 13 -- Former diplomat Vikas Swarup on Wednesday warned that the US is making a "strategic mistake" by strengthening ties with Pakistan, a country closely aligned with China, a strategic competitor of the US.

In an interview with ANI, Swarup, a former High Commissioner to Canada, said, "I think it's a strategic mistake on the part of the US that you are getting into bed with Pakistan, which is in bed with China. China is the US' strategic competitor."

Swarup's comments come after Pakistan Army Chief Gen Asim Munir made provocative remarks in Florida, suggesting Pakistan could use nuclear weapons to "take down India and half the world" in an existential crisis.

Earlier, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce maintained...