..:: India Strategic ::. Nuclear: Nuclear weapons not for war: Indian Army chief

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Editorial

Nuclear weapons not for war: Indian Army chief

Published: January 2012

New Delhi. Amid reports of Pakistan and China augmenting their nuclear arsenals, Indian Army chief Gen. V.K. Singh has rejected the threat of a nuclear war, saying such weapons primarily have a "strategic significance".

"Nuclear weapons are not for war fighting. Let's be quite clear on it," Singh said Jan 15 on the sidelines of the Army Day parade when asked about the nuclear postures and arsenals of Pakistan and China.

"They've got a strategic significance and that's where it should end. Me and my army are not bothered about who has nuclear weapons. We have our task cut out and we will progress along that," he said.

India maintains a credible minimum deterrence and its nuclear doctrine consists of, among other things, No First Use (NFU) as a matter of policy.

Gen Singh's comments came a day before India hosts the meeting of officials of the Nuclear Security Summit that will focus on issues relating to nuclear terrorism and the safety of atomic materials and facilities.

(IANS)