NEW DELHI – Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh has hinted that New Delhi may be reconsidering its ‘no first use’ nuclear policy doctrine in future.
In a tweet, the minister said that India remains firmly committed and has strictly adhered to the doctrine but 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
In a visit to the site of the nuclear tests, Pokhran in western India, the defence minister paid tribute to late former prime minister Atal Behari Vajpayee for making India into nuclear power.
He said that “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,” he added.
Tensions between the two countries escalated after India revoked the special status of the disputed region of Kashmir.
Earlier in February, the Pulwama attack on Indian forces in Indian-Administered Kashmir claimed the lives of over 40 Indian paramilitary troops. Indian and Pakistani fighter jets clashed over the territory after the attacks in which Pakistan down two Indian jets.
