officials are worried the smaller weapons increase chances of an accidental nuclear conflict between India and Pakistan. Officials also maintain that while their long-range nuclear-capable missiles can reach all of India, development of tactical weapons are meant to discourage Indian troops from staging a sudden cross-border aggression.īut U.S. Pakistan insists its “full spectrum” nuclear weapons program is “India-specific” to defend against possible aggression by the larger neighbor. “We are concerned that this growth, as well as the evolving doctrine associated with tactical nuclear weapons, increases the risk of an incident or accident,” stated Stewart. General Vincent Stewart, testified before the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this week that Pakistan continues to take steps to improve nuclear security and is aware of the threat presented by extremists to its program.īut the general noted Islamabad’s nuclear stockpile continues to grow. Defense Intelligence Agency director, Lt. 11, 2015, shows a Shaheen III surface-to-surface ballistic missile launching from an undisclosed location in Pakistan. This handout photograph released by Pakistan's Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) on Dec. He again dismissed safety and security concerns about Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, saying the United States “in unambiguous terms” is appreciative of safety measures and steps Islamabad has taken over the past 15 years to prevent proliferation of nuclear materials. Our nuclear deterrence is for self-defense. We have every right as a state for self-defense. “Pakistan only goes for credible minimum deterrence. Pakistan is not in an arms race,” asserted Foreign Secretary Aizaz Chaudhry, addressing a gathering of experts, officials and foreign diplomats in the Pakistani capital.Ī recent joint study by the Carnegie and Stimson research organizations estimates that Pakistan has the capability to produce 20 nuclear warheads annually while its archrival, India, appears to be producing about five warheads. “I think it would be important for us to distinguish between what is propaganda, disinformation and motivated reporting. Pakistan’s chief negotiator Friday dismissed reports its nuclear arsenal program is the world’s fastest growing, and repeated Islamabad’s demand that it be inducted into a club of nuclear trading nations.
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