In an intriguing statement, Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday said that India’s nuclear policy till date has been ‘No First Use’ but “what happens in future depends on the circumstances”.
“Till today, our nuclear policy is ‘No First Use’. What happens in the future depends on the circumstances.”
Pokhran is the area which witnessed Atal Ji’s firm resolve to make India a nuclear power and yet remain firmly committed to the doctrine of ‘No First Use’. India has strictly adhered to this doctrine. What happens in future depends on the circumstances.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 16, 2019
His statement gains significance as Pakistan has upped its ante over India’s decision to revoke Article 370, that granted special status to Jammu and Kashmir.
Rajnath Singh was speaking to media after paying tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, on his first death anniversary, in Pokhran.
India attaining the status of a responsible nuclear nation became a matter of national pride for every citizen of this country. The nation will remain indebted to the greatness of Atal Ji.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) August 16, 2019
India successfully tested nuclear bombs in Pokhran on May 11, 1998, when Vajpayee was the Prime Minister.
Late President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam had led the Indian team of scientists to successfully test-fire the Shakti-1 nuclear missile at Rajasthan’s Pokhran test range.
Rajnath Singh had come to attend the closing ceremony of International Army Scout Masters Competition in Jaisalmer.
On August 5, the Government scrapped Article 370 of the Constitution and split the state into two union territories.
Following this, Pakistan decided to downgrade diplomatic relations with India. It expelled Indian High Commissioner Ajay Bisaria and suspended trade with India.
It also suspended the Samjhauta Express and Thar Express services between the two nations
A day after the Indian government abrogated Article 370, Imran Khan had warned of “Pulwama-like incidents to happen again”.
Imran Khan on Wednesday again termed India’s Kashmir move a “strategic blunder” and said that the move will cost New Delhi “heavily”.
Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council is set to hold “closed consultations” on India’s move on Kashmir today evening, days after Pakistan wrote a letter on the issue to the world body.