President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday said India should be grateful that Pakistan exercised restraint, claiming more Indian aircraft could have been shot down if Islamabad had chosen to escalate.

Addressing a public gathering at Garhi Khuda Bakhsh on the death anniversary of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, the president said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi had now realised that Pakistan knew how to defend itself.

He was referring to clashes with India in May, during which Pakistan downed seven Indian aircraft in air-to-air combat.

He warned that if war were imposed again, Pakistan was fully prepared.

President Zardari said a country that called itself a major global economy failed to sustain even four days of conflict.

Reiterating his warning to India, he said Pakistan had shown consideration, “all their planes could have been brought down.”

He said the day marked both the martyrdom of Benazir Bhutto and the moment Pakistan was saved, recalling the slogan “Pakistan Khappay” raised after her assassination. He said the slogan belonged to Benazir Bhutto and helped preserve the country at a critical time.

“If anyone casts an evil eye on Pakistan, remember that Zardari is here, the Pakistan Peoples Party is here, and its workers are present,” he said.

The president said that while India might be a big power, it lacked the resolve shown by Pakistan’s leadership and armed forces. He referred to Pakistan’s president, prime minister and the army chief, saying such courage could not be manufactured.

Recalling the outbreak of fighting in May, Zardari said military officials had advised him to move to a bunker, but he refused.

“Leaders do not die in bunkers, they die in the field,” he said.

He also criticised a former leader for damaging Pakistan’s economy and severing international relations, adding that Pakistan had since restored its standing.

He said that even US President Donald Trump had praised Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir.

President Zardari said Pakistan did not seek conflict, but would respond decisively to any aggression.

“If the motherland ever needs us, we are ready to sacrifice everything,” he said, adding that any attempt to provoke Pakistan would be met with a strong response.