Nuclear Deterrence

[Arun_S]

[url="http://www.samachar.com/No-change-in-countrys-nuclear-doctrine-Krishna-ldqrLnjjiei.html"]No change in country's nuclear doctrine: Krishna[/url]

2011-03-16 05:30:00





New Delhi: The government on Wednesday made it clear that there will be no revision of the country's no-first-use nuclear doctrine and said minimum credible deterrence would be maintained in view of threats and challenges.



External Affairs Minister S M Krishna told the Lok Sabha that the government is working to improve relations with immediate neighbours, including Pakistan and China, as also with other countries like the US and Russia.



In his hour-long reply to a debate on the Demands for Grants of his Ministry, he dwelt on various aspects of foreign policy and rejected the notion that India was getting isolated or was a "by-stander" in world affairs, including the evolving situation in West Asia. The Demands were later passed by a voice vote.



He spent some time in praising former external affairs minister Jaswant Singh and responded to the points raised by the senior BJP leader on Tuesday, including the suggestion for revising the no-first-use doctrine in the nuclear policy.



[color="#8b0000"]"Government remains committed in taking effective steps to strengthen India's defence and to maintain credible minimum nuclear deterrence," Krishna said referring to some members' concern over Pakistan's growing nuclear arsenal.

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"On nuclear doctrine, I would only like to say that there is no change in our policy. We are committed to universal, non-discriminatory nuclear disarmament and we remain