Amidst the growing tensions between the two countries, the Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, on Friday, hinted at reviewing the ‘No First Use’ nuclear policy. He posted a tweet stating that while India has adhered to the doctrine of “no first use”, what would happen in the future would depend on circumstances.
Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi on Friday remarked Singh’s statement as “shocking and irresponsible”. He said, “The substance and timing of the Indian Defence Minister’s statement is highly unfortunate and reflective of India’s irresponsible and belligerent behaviour. It further exposes the pretense of their no first use policy to which we have never accorded any credence,”
Furthermore, he added “Pakistan has always proposed measures relating to nuclear restraint in South Asia and has eschewed measures that are offensive in nature. Pakistan will continue to maintain a credible minimum deterrence posture.
Later on Saturday he termed the statement as a “damning reminder of India’s unbridled thirst for violence”.
