Pokhran | Defence Minister Rajnath Singh today said that while they are deeply committed to the ‘No First Use’ policy, it could change as per 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’”, he wrote on Twitter.
“India has strictly adhered to this doctrine. What happens in future depends on the circumstances”, he added.
“India attaining the status of a responsible nuclear nation became a matter of national pride for every citizen of this country. The nation will remain indebted to the greatness of Atal Ji”, he further wrote.
Rajnath Singh also told this to the reporters in Pokhran, where he attended the closing ceremony of the army scout master competition in Pokhran.
Rajnath Singh was in Pokhran to pay tribute to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s first death anniversary.
India held nuclear tests in 1974 and 1998. The second test was carried out when the Vajpayee-led BJP was in power.
The Defence Minister comments come amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, after India decided to revoke Article 370 in the controversial state of Jammu and Kashmir.
Pakistan has been openly criticising the move, its Prime Minister Imran Khan claiming they are “ready for war it comes to that”.
Pakistan also has appealed to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to intervene.
While New Delhi has repeatedly maintained that its decisions on Jammu and Kashmir are an internal matter in which no country should interfere.
Similar heightened tensions were conspicuous after the Pulwama attack which killed 40 CRPF personnel in February and March this year.
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