New Delhi: Amidst the heightened tensions and military conflict between India and Pakistan recently, an American intelligence report has added to the concerns.
The latest World Threat Assessment report, released by the US Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), says that Pakistan is modernising its nuclear arsenal with military and economic support from China. The report further states that Pakistan views India as an existential threat.
The assessment is, Pakistan military’s top priorities for the upcoming year are likely will include cross-border skirmishes with regional neighbours and continued modernisation of its nuclear arsenal, among other objectives.
“Pakistan is modernising its nuclear arsenal and maintaining the security of its nuclear materials and nuclear command and control. Pakistan almost certainly procures WMD (weapons of mass destruction) applicable goods from foreign suppliers and intermediaries,” the report states.
Pakistan, the report says, is obtaining materials and technology for developing weapons of mass destruction from China, with some of these transfers being routed through Hong Kong, Singapore, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.
“Pakistan regards India as an existential threat and will continue to pursue its military modernisation effort, including the development of battlefield nuclear weapons, to offset India’s conventional military advantage,” the World Threat Assessment report says.
China remains Pakistan’s primary military equipment supplier, though the relationship has been strained a tad due to multiple terrorist attacks targeting Chinese nationals working in Pakistan, the report observes.
India’s response to Pahalgam & relations with China
The report has mentioned India’s response to the April 22 Pahalgam terrorist attack (Operation Sindoor), when its Armed forces launched missile strikes targeting terrorism-linked infrastructure in Pakistan.
“The missile strike provoked multiple rounds of missile, drone, and loitering munition attacks, and heavy artillery fire, by both militaries from 7 to 10 May. As of 10 May, both militaries had agreed to a full ceasefire,” the report states.
DIA has also noted that while India and China have agreed to disengage forces from two remaining friction points along the disputed Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh, the border demarcation dispute remains unresolved.
The further states that India is expected to continue advancing its ‘Made in India’ initiative to bolster its defence industry, reduce supply chain uncertainties and modernise its military.
The report also notes that India is most likely to maintain its strategic relationship with Russia through as even though New Delhi has lessened procurement of Russian defence systems, the country will be dependent on Russian spare parts.
