'India slower than Pak in N-missile race'

[Guest guest]

'India slower than Pak in N-missile race'

HT Correspondent

(New Delhi, March 26)

 

THE FORMIDABLE weekly magazine on all things defence, Jane's

Intelligence Review of London, has stirred a hornet's nest in the

Indian security establishment by reporting in its latest edition that

India has been slow in developing an effective missile-based nuclear

deterrent in comparison to Pakistan.

 

Jane's says that India views N-weapons as necessary for political

utility, for extracting international prestige and provide deterrence

vis a vis Pakistan and China. But her political leadership has not

gone into specifics of nuclear use or doctrine. Unlike Pakistan,

whose nuclear resources are in the control of its Army, India has not

incorporated its nuclear strengths into its overall military

strategy.

 

MEA has reacted to the report saying its basis is completely

misplaced. "The entire purport is to suggest an arms race kind of

scenario in the region. This is completely misplaced. Firstly,

India's nuclear programme is not country specific. Secondly, India

does not to any proposition of any arms race here," the

spokesman of the MEA said.

 

"Let it be clearly understood that India's minimum credible deterrent

based on proven indigenous technology and under civilian command and

control effectively addresses any threat to the country's security.

There need be no doubt in this regard," the spokesman said.

 

However, security analysts here opined that the report has confirmed

the growing muscle of Pakistan's nuclear delivery systems, something

which independent observers had been warning about for some time.

Covert Sino-Pakistan deal has resulted in the development of solid

fuelled missile systems which can strike Indian cities as far as

Chennai and Bangalore from deep within Pakistani territory.