NEW DELHI: Army Chief General V K Singh on Sunday dismissed the idea of a nuclear war in the subcontinent saying such weapons were primarily for ‘strategic significance’. The Army Chief’s comments have come at a time when Pakistan and China are adding on to their nukes.
“Nuclear weapons are not for war fighting. Let’s be quite clear on it,” Singh said on the sidelines of the 64th Army Day function in response to a query about the nuclear postures and arsenals of Pakistan and China.
Even as Pakistan is spiralling into a troubled phase and China is having aggressive posturing, the Army is not threatened about any prospective nuclear war.
“They (nuclear weapons) have got a strategic significance and that’s where it should end. The Army and I are not bothered about who has nuclear weapons. We have our task cut out and we will progress along that,” General Singh added.
India will be hosting a meeting of officials of the Nuclear Security Summit and will deliberate on the issue relating to nuclear terrorism and the safety of atomic facilities.
India has a nuclear policy of ‘no first use’ and only maintains a credible minimum deterrence. General Singh said the force was ready to face any challenge - external or internal - with the Army being equipped with ultra-modern technology.
The Army Day commemorates the taking over of the command of the Army by an Indian officer General (later Field Marshal) K M Cariappa.
Age Issue
General Singh also refused to put the age imbroglio to rest saying he had ‘no clue’ of any early resolution of this row.
But he said that it should not be made an issue of public debate. When asked if the Defence Ministry’s decision in the matter was final, Singh said: “Why do you want a clarity? I have said this is an issue that should be allowed to rest, and not become public debate. So there is no requirement to give it any spin or to give it any more wings than what it actually is.”