New Delhi: India has reacted strongly to Pakistan’s allegations regarding the development of a nuclear-capable missile that can strike targets in the US.
Pakistan was among the countries named by US intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard on Wednesday for having developed or attempting to develop missiles with nuclear warheads that can reach US shores.
Pakistan was quick to react and say that its nukes are meant for deterrence and maintaining stability in South Asia, while India is developing nuclear-capable missiles with ranges of 12,000 km or more.
In a testimony before the US Senate Intelligence Committee, Gabbard, director of National Intelligence said that the threats to the US were set to expand collectively from more than 3,000 missiles at present to more than 16,000 missiles by 2035.
“The US secure nuclear deterrent continues to ensure safety in the Homeland against strategic threats. However, Russia, China, North Korea, Iran and Pakistan have been researching and developing an array of novel, advanced, or traditional missile delivery systems with nuclear and conventional payloads that put our Homeland within range,” Gabbard has been quoted as saying by PTI.
Pakistan immediately claimed that its capabilities are “exclusively defensive in nature, aimed at safe
guarding national sovereignty and maintaining peace and stability in South Asia.”
While Gabbard said that Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile development could include missiles capable of targeting the US, Pakistan’s foreign ministry claimed its missile programme, “which remains well below intercontinental range”, is firmly rooted in the doctrine of credible minimum deterrence “vis-à-vis India”.
Despite India not being part of the discussion, Pakistan foreign ministry spokesperson Tahir Andrabi said, “In contrast, India’s development of missile capabilities exceeding 12,000 kilometres reflects a trajectory that extends beyond regional security considerations and is certainly a cause of concern for the neighbourhood and beyond”.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs reacted to this on Thursday and said Pakistan has a history of “clandestine nuclear proliferation, and statements like this again make it clear what kind of threat they pose to the world because of their clandestine nuclear operations.”
Pakistan, in its statement, added that it “remains committed to constructive engagement with the United States, anchored in mutual respect, non-discrimination, and factual accuracy.”
Gabbard, in her statement said: “The IC (Intelligence Community) assesses that China and Russia are developing advanced delivery systems meant to be capable of penetrating or bypassing US missile defences,” Gabbard said.
North Korea’s ICBMs can already reach US soil, and it is committed to expanding its nuclear arsenal, she noted.
“Pakistan’s long-range ballistic missile development potentially could include ICBMs with the range capable of striking the Homeland,” Gabbard said.