Pakistan Bolstering Nuclear Arsenal With Chinese Help: US Intelligence Report

In a significant development amidst military and geopolitical tensions in the South Asian region, the US Defence Intelligence Agency on Sunday (25 May) released a report that mentions that Pakistan is strengthening the security of its nuclear command structure and "almost certainly" procuring weapons of mass destruction (WMD) applicable materials from foreign intermediaries, primarily Chinese suppliers.

Some of these supplies are routed through other countries like Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey, and the UAE.

Commenting on the Pakistani situation, the report states, "Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernization effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India’s conventional military advantage."

The report also highlighted that while close cooperation continues with the People's Liberation Army (PLA), attacks on Chinese workers have strained relations.

Contrarily, the report points out that India, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, remains focused on "demonstrating global leadership, countering China, and enhancing New Delhi’s military power."

On India's position on Pakistan, it states that New Delhi considers Islamabad as an "ancilliary security problem to be managed", with the main focus being on China.

The report also identifies India's developing indigenous defense production under the "Made in India" initiative. Trials of the Agni-I Prime MRBM and Agni-V MIRV system, and the induction of a second nuclear-powered submarine, were reflected as sustained efforts for modernisation.

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