‘Irresponsible’: Pakistan on Rajnath’s Nuclear Policy Remark

“What happens in future depends on the circumstances,” Rajnath Singh had said.

In what comes across as a shift in stance, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday, 16 August, said that while India’s nuclear policy has been ‘no first use,’ the future will depend on circumstances.

“Till today, our nuclear policy is ‘No First Use’. What happens in future depends on the circumstances,” Singh said, speaking to the media in Pokhran.

Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi criticised the Defence Minister’s remarks as "irresponsible" and "unfortunate".

"The substance and timing of Indian defence minister is highly unfortunate and shows India irresponsible and belligerent behaviour," Qureshi said, according to PTI.

"Pakistan will continue to maintain minimum credible deterrence," he said.

The statement of Indian defence ministers showed his "folly", he said.

Singh, who went to Jaisalmer to address the concluding ceremony of the fifth International Army Scout Masters Competition in Jaisalmer, paid a visit to Pokhran, which is nearby as a ‘tribute’ to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

“It is a coincidence that today I came for International Army Scout Masters Competition in Jaisalmer and today it is the first death anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. So, I felt I should pay tribute to him on the land of Pokhran only,” he said.

Teams from Russia, China, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Sudan and Uzbekistan and India participated in the army scout competition in Jaisalmer.

Twitter Divided Over Possible Policy Change

While some Twitter users lauded Singh’s ‘daring’ stance and called it a ‘measured’ reaction, others tweeted about the dangers of war mongering and called the defence minister’s statement a ‘risky gamble’.

Much awaited #RajnathSingh ji m proud to have leaders like you, who dare to execute..... https://t.co/USy7OcCdZR

— Shreya Dhawan (@ShreyaDhawan6) August 16, 2019

Rajnath ji is correct as to warn about possible review of Vajpayee’s no first use of weapons since Pak leadership is more crazed today than 1998. First use is required now on if we get credible evidence that Pak faced with ignominy may go for first strike. #bjp #RajnathSingh 🇮🇳

— Nikita Singh (@NikitaS9711) August 16, 2019

One statement on No First Use from Defense Minister Rajnath Singh made every #UrbanNaxals go Berserk.

They Know that this Modi Govt means business and can do anything to safeguard national interest.

Enjoy The Meltdown of Jihadi sympatheisers on social Media pic.twitter.com/nloofRn4S2

— Rishi Bagree 🇮🇳 (@rishibagree) August 16, 2019

Rajnath Singh is measured and not given to loose talk or bluster. He isn’t signalling a shift, but an open mind on the NFU (No First Use) inherited from Vajpayee’s Nuclear Doctrine. If you foresee an escalatory spiral, remember Pakistan started it, boasting about tactical nukes https://t.co/sBHthjVdS5

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) August 16, 2019

Risky gamble by India’s defense minister Rajnath Singh to raise doubt about India’s no-first-use policy. https://t.co/gz5eTP15MN This will not improve India’s security but embolden those who say India can’t be trusted. And it could fuel nuke developments in Pakistan & China. pic.twitter.com/6Vrmif7q35

— Hans Kristensen (@nukestrat) August 16, 2019

#RajnathSingh says that they will review the No first use of Nuclear warheads in case of war. whom is he trying to scare? Both India and Pakistan are Nuclear powers &use of N weapons will only ensure there wouldn't be anyone left to discuss either ceasefire or negotiations.

— Vijayaraghavan S (@vijay_thevictor) August 16, 2019

Sir
We should stick to 'No first use of Nuclear weapons.' That will be better for peace. We can beat our enemy like pak without Nuclear weapons also.

Please.

— DEVIDAS SAPKALE (@DEVIDAS_SAPKALE) August 17, 2019

(With inputs from PTI.)