India has no need to fear a potential nuclear strike by its South Asian rival Pakistan because “there will be no Pakistan left” if India were to respond in kind, Indian Defense Minister George Fernandes said yesterday (see GSN, Dec. 30, 2002).

Pakistan should cease discussing its willingness to use nuclear weapons, Fernandes said, referring to last month’s comments by Pakistani President Gen. Pervez Musharraf that Pakistan was not afraid to use unconventional weapons if attacked, according to The Hindu (see GSN, Jan. 7).  India has a firm “no-first-use” nuclear policy and sees its arsenal as primarily a deterrent, Fernandes said.

“But if the deterrent is not adequate and Pakistan uses the bomb, we will suffer a little but there will be no Pakistan left later,” Fernandes told a meeting of the Confederation of Indian Industry.  “I hate having to say this but Pakistan should know its strengths and vulnerability and stop making these stupid statements,” he added (The Hindu, Jan. 8).

In his address, Fernandes also stressed India’s need to improve its domestic arms production capabilities and to reduce its dependence on foreign technologies, according to the Press Trust of India.  He praised India’s defense scientists for their accomplishments in developing India’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programs.

“India’s status as a nuclear weapons state is your achievement, and development of Prithvi and Agni missiles ... bear testimony to your competence,” Fernandes said (Press Trust of India/Times of India, Jan. 8).

Pakistani Response

Meanwhile, Pakistan said today that, while it does not want a conflict with India, it would teach New Delhi an “unforgettable lesson” if ever attacked with nuclear weapons.

“Pakistan is a reality and cannot be wiped out through nuclear weapons ... We know how to defend ourselves, and respond to the nefarious designs of the enemy,” said Pakistani Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmad.  “India will be taught an unforgettable lesson if they ever launch a nuclear attack on Pakistan.  Our response will be a historic lesson for them if they used the nuclear option,” Ahmad added (Munir Ahmad, Associated Press/Yahoo.com, Jan. 8).

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