In what can only be described as an insidious act by Pakistan, its foreign ministry spokesperson, Mohammad Faizal read out a highly misleading statement over India’s nuclear triad with the deterrence patrol by INS Arihant even as a delusional Pakistan tried spinning the development as a threat to international peace and order.
Reading out the statement which tried to project the development as some sort of a threat in the South Asian region, Faizal said, “We have taken note of the self-congratulatory messages following the first ‘deterrence patrol’ of the Indian nuclear submarine. This development marks the first actual deployment of ready to fire nuclear warheads in South Asia which is a matter concern not only for the Indian Ocean states but for the international community.”
He did not stop here and went on to add, “Bellicose language used by top Indian leadership highlights threat to strategic stability in South Asia and raises questions regarding responsible nuclear stewardship in India”. It is shocking that Faizal who represents a country whose political leaders issue nuclear threats to India at the drop of a hat was concerned by the “bellicose language” of Indian leaders. In fact, he has probably forgotten that one of the first things the present foreign minister of Pakistan did after assuming office was issue a nuclear threat to India.
Unlike its terrorist neighbor, India has never issued a nuclear threat or created a dire situation, even after successfully completing its nuclear triad. This is the reason why no one has ever pointed a finger at India and in fact India has always been lauded across the world as a responsible nuclear power. However, it seems that Pakistan has been spooked by the fact that it can no longer attempt to issue a nuclear threat to India. Pakistan had been actively pursuing the policy of using terrorism against India and simultaneously issue nuclear threats in order to avoid anti-terror strikes by India against Pakistan. Now, that India has completed the nuclear triad and PM Modi made it clear that it was, “a fitting response to those who indulge in nuclear blackmail,” Pakistan is trying to mislead the world about India’s intentions. Pakistan is trying to create a bogeyman out of India even as it has been spooked by India’s momentous achievement.
It is shocking that Pakistan is targeting India, as the father of Pakistan’s atomic bomb, Abdul Qadeer Khan has admitted that he had sold nuclear technology to states like North Korea, Iran and Libya. This shows the difference between the two countries- while India is a responsible nuclear power; Pakistan is a rogue state which has a miserable track record as far as nuclear proliferation is concerned. In such circumstances, the recent statement by Pakistan foreign ministry is as ironic as it could get.
However, the Pakistan foreign ministry statement also gave out a hint of how it was an insidious attempt to defame and malign India and at the same time cause substantial damage even as Faizal said, “Increased frequency of missile tests by India, aggressive posturing and deployment of nuclear weapons, calls for an assessment of non-proliferation benefits resulting from Indian membership of the MTCR.” It shows that Pakistan which is feeling bogged down after India’s success is now resorting to extensive and malicious propaganda aimed at tarnishing the reputation of India in the international community of Nations. However, Pakistan which, due to its acts, is seen as a threat to peaceful co-existence in the South Asian region does not understand that its hollow statements are not going to make much impact.
What is laughable is the fact that the Pakistani foreign ministry’s statement went on to state that Pakistan is committed to the objective of strategic stability in South Asia and believes the only way forward for both countries is to agree on measures for nuclear and missile restraint.” It is particularly shocking that a country which uses terrorism as an active instrument of state policy is talking in terms of “strategic stability” in the region and a country ruled indirectly by terror outfits is talking about “restraint”. India is spending on its nuclear capabilities and defense preparedness only to take on the threats posed by the terrorist nation, which also happens to have considerable quantities of nuclear arsenal. Therefore, this vicious Pakistani propaganda targeting India is ironic to the core. The statement by the Pakistan foreign ministry is both shocking and contemptible but at the same time laughable for how a naive country is trying to project itself as the face of international stability and peace.