The Hindu : Front Page : Destabilising step: Pakistan

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Jul 28, 2009
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Front Page

Front Page

Destabilising step: Pakistan

Nirupama Subramanian

ISLAMABAD: INS Arihant, India’s newly inducted nuclear-powered submarine, has drawn a sharp reaction from Pakistan.

The Foreign Ministry said on Monday the “continued induction of new lethal weapon systems” by India was detrimental to regional peace and stability.

“Without entering into an arms race with India, Pakistan will take all appropriate steps to safeguard its security and maintain strategic balance in South Asia,” a Foreign Ministry statement said, calling for the “maintenance of strategic balance” in the interests of peace and security in the region.

Pakistan Navy spokesman Captain Asif Majeed Butt was quoted by Dawn News as saying the addition of the submarine to the Indian Navy was a “destabilising step which would jeopardise the security paradigm of the entire Indian Ocean region.”

Captain Majeed said the induction of the new submarine could trigger a nuclear arms race and all littoral states, including Pakistan, would take steps to safeguard themselves. Another spokesman for the Navy, Salman Ali, was reported by Aaj TV as saying the new Indian Navy acquisition was “dangerous for regional peace and balance.”

Defence Minister Ahmed Mukhtar said Pakistan was fully capable of defending itself. “We don’t want war but the Government of Pakistan is fully aware of the issue and we are fully prepared to defend ourselves,” he said in reply to a question.

Nuclear-powered submarine to be fitted with ballistic missiles

“Destroyer of enemies” steps out

“A technology demonstrator”

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Front Page