ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan has again noted with concerns that the Indian hegemonic designs motivated by extremist ideas and fueling an arms race and buildup of nuclear arsenal can jeopardize the regional peace.
In the opening statement of her weekly media briefing in Islamabad on Thursday, the Foreign Office Spokesperson Aisha Farooqui said that we have seen reports of the recent acquisition of Rafale jets by the Indian Airforce.
According to some former senior Indian officials and several international publications, these Rafale jets are dual-capable systems that can also be modified as nuclear weapon delivery platforms.
Aisha Farooqui said that it is well known that India continues to expand and modernize its nuclear arsenal both in terms of type and number of delivery systems.
In addition to this, India has nuclearized the Indian Ocean and continues to increase the readiness of its arsenal through measures such as canisterization of missile systems.
It is disturbing to note that India continues to amass military capabilities beyond its genuine security requirement.
According to credible and reputable international research institutes, India is now the second-largest arms importer in the world.
The Spokesperson said that Pakistan has been consistently highlighting the risks of massive Indian arms buildup as well as their offensive security doctrine and force postures, which are adversely affecting strategic stability in South Asia.
This arms buildup is being aided and abetted through a policy of exemptions, waivers and supply of advanced equipment, technology and weapons for narrow commercial interests.
Such arms transfers also violate the objectives of various export control regimes on preventing destabilizing accumulations of arms in various regions including where there exist outstanding conflicts and disputes.
Transfer of advanced systems, where there is an open intention of conversion into nuclear delivery platforms, calls into question the commitment of international suppliers to non-proliferation commitments.
Aisha Farooqui said that the world community must dissuade India from its disproportionate arms buildup which could also lead to an arms race in South Asia.
The world is already a witness to the bellicose and irresponsible rhetoric by the BJP government in pursuit of a revisionist agenda in the neighborhood.
On Pakistan’s part, we remain open to consideration of measures for crisis management, risk reduction, and strategic restraint.
While remaining opposed to any arms race in South Asia, Pakistan cannot remain oblivious to these developments and remains confident of its ability to thwart any ill-considered act of aggression.
