ADVISER to the National Command Authority retired Lt. General Khalid Kidwai on Tuesday warned that Pakistan could review its deployment options to restore strategic balance in South Asia, saying India was moving towards a more prepared, potentially first-use capable nuclear posture. Speaking at the second Islamabad Non-Proliferation Conference, he pointed out that India’s reported deployment of nuclear weapons aboard a submarine, alongside missile modernization and recent military confrontations raised the risk of escalation between the two neighbouring arch rivals.
The warning by one of Pakistan’s most relevant strategic officials is not without reason, as credible reports, including one by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), indicate that India has deployed around 12 nuclear warheads aboard a submarine for deterrence patrols. They also cited missile canisterization and wider nuclear and conventional modernization as developments that cast doubt on India’s declared No-First-Use policy. It may also be mentioned that India is massively scaling up its strategic and tactical military investments, committing $5.46 billion in recent Defence Acquisition Council approvals alongside a broader $24.85 billion package for missile systems, transport aircraft and armed drones, complemented by an aggressive push toward nuclear power. India is advancing a $2 billion+ military drone and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) procurement push to deploy thousands of tactical and long-range systems over the next 18 to 24 months. These and a host of other moves aimed at sharpening nuclear, missile and drone capabilities as well as strategic moves trigger legitimate fears in Pakistan as most of these preparations are Pakistan-specific and the country has a bitter experience of Indian designs. We, therefore, strongly endorse the remarks of General Kidwai that Pakistan has a right to undertake all appropriate measures to safeguard its national security and preserve strategic balance in the region under all circumstances.