PUNE, India: The Indian Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Gen. Deepak Kapoor said that though India was concerned about the rising nuclear arsenal across the border, he asserted that India was fully prepared for any external threat.
Speaking to journalists here on Thursday on the sidelines of a function at the Armed Forces Medical College here during his two-day visit to Pune, Kapoor termed Pakistan’s efforts in increasing its nuclear strength as a matter of concern and said Pakistan is going well beyond the degree of deterrence.
Reacting to media reports about Pakistan illegally modifying the Harpoon anti-ship missile that could target India, Gen. Kapoor said: “There is a difference between having a degree deterrence, which is required for protection, and going beyond that degree of deterrence.”
Asked to comment to an article published in the latest issue of “Bulletin of the Atomic Scientist” that says Pakistan’s nuclear stockpile has jumped to 70 to 90 warheads, up from an estimated 60 warheads, Kapoor said that Pakistan was going well beyond the requirement of deterrence. “We are observing the developments closely. Some warheads may be kept as deterrence,” he said. “But the reports about 70-90 nuclear bombs show that Pakistan is going beyond those norms.”
Commenting to the reported violation of Indian airspace by China, Kapoor said that such incursions would continue as long as the confusion over the Line of Actual Control remains.
“There are different perceptions about the LOAC,” he said. “However, resolving boundary issues can help reduce the problem. I am aware of Chinese incursions. There is no rise in the levels. We are exactly at the same position as last year. This year in June the figure was 20, 21 in July and 24 in August. There is no need for alarm.”
