Insta
‘Will Depend On Circumstances’: Says Rajnath Singh On No First Use Nuclear Policy, Hints At Rethink
Swarajya Staff
Aug 16, 2019, 02:57 PM | Updated 02:57 PM IST
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
After paying homage to late prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his first death anniversary in Pokhran, Rajasthan, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to reporters about the future of India’s ‘No first use policy’, reports ANI.
Accompanied by senior Indian Army officers, including Chief of Army Staff General Bipin Rawat, Singh said that although it was true that India had continued with this policy till date, the question of whether it is continued into the future will depend on circumstances.
#WATCH: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh says in Pokhran, "Till today, our nuclear policy is 'No First Use'. What happens in the future depends on the circumstances." pic.twitter.com/fXKsesHA6A
— ANI (@ANI) August 16, 2019
The is not the first time that a defence minister has indicated that India may not always continue with the No first use policy.
According to a report in The Economic Times, in 2018 then defence minister Manohar Parrikar had remarked that instead of saying no first use, India should state that it is a responsible nuclear power and that it would not deploy its nuclear arsenal irresponsibly.
Currently, India is only one of two nuclear-armed states pledging a no first use policy, with the other being China.
In recent years, the question of whether India should continue to pursue a no first use doctrine also seems to have become a more frequently discussed issue among the political establishment and security circles.
Save & read from anywhere!
Bookmark stories for easy access on any device or the Swarajya app.
Introducing ElectionsHQ + 50 Ground Reports Project
The 2024 elections might seem easy to guess, but there are some important questions that shouldn't be missed.
Do freebies still sway voters? Do people prioritise infrastructure when voting? How will Punjab vote?
The answers to these questions provide great insights into where we, as a country, are headed in the years to come.
Swarajya is starting a project with an aim to do 50 solid ground stories and a smart commentary service on WhatsApp, a one-of-a-kind. We'd love your support during this election season.
Click below to contribute.