'Induction Of Advanced Weapons Destabilising Regional Balance'

Islamabad, Jan 13: Pakistan today expressed concern over what it described as India’s “massive” induction of advanced weapon systems and adoption of “offensive” military doctrines and said it would not compromise on the maintenance of a credible minimum nuclear deterrence.
 The concerns were expressed when Premier Yousuf Raza Gilani chaired a meeting of National Command Authority (NCA) for the first time after control of the country’s nuclear arsenal was transferred to him by President Asif Ali Zardari one and a half months back.
 Taking a serious view of recent Indian statements to conduct conventional military strikes under a nuclear umbrella, NCA observed such statements reflected a “hegemonic mindset.” Vowing not to compromise on its security interests the NCA said: “such irresponsible statements reflected a hegemonic mindset, oblivious of dangerous implications of adventurism in a nuclearized context.”
 “This relentless pursuit of military preponderance will have severe consequences for peace and security in South Asia as well as for the Indian Ocean region, the statement noted and pointed that “Pakistan cannot be oblivious to these developments.”
 The meeting reviewed “developments detrimental to the objectives of strategic stability in the region” and observed that India was pursuing “an ambitious militarisation programme and offensive military doctrines” instead of responding positively to Pakistan’s proposal for a Strategic Restraint Regime in South Asia, according to an official statement.
 “Massive inductions of advanced weapon systems, including installation of anti-ballistic missiles, build-up of nuclear arsenal and delivery systems through ongoing and new programmes assisted by some external quarters, offensive doctrines like ‘Cold Start’ and similar accumulations in the conventional realm tend to destabilise the regional balance.” The NCA discussed the India-specific exemption made by the Nuclear Suppliers Group and nuclear fuel supply agreements concluded by New Delhi with several countries and claimed this “will enable India to produce substantial quantities of fissile material for nuclear weapons by freeing up its domestic resources.”
 The NCA reaffirmed Pakistan’s policy of restraint and responsibility and its resolve to continue efforts to promote peace and stability in South Asia. It underscored the need for prevention of conflict and avoidance of nuclear and conventional arms race in the region.
 The meeting reaffirmed that, as a nuclear weapon state, Pakistan was committed to work as an equal partner in international efforts for general and complete nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation.
 In this regard, it underscored the need for non-discriminatory policies and accommodation of the reality of Pakistan’s nuclear weapon status for promoting global non-proliferation goals.
 It emphasized that promotion of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament objectives in South Asia were linked with regional security dynamics and the need to address existing asymmetries and resolution of outstanding disputes.
PTI