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Future will guide India's nuclear policy: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh

Since 1998 tests, India has stuck to the ‘No First Use’ doctrine

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Rajnath Singh and Army Chief Bipin Rawat arrive in Pokhran, where India carried out nuclear tests in 1998 when Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the PM
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Circumstances in the coming years will decide India's stand on the use of nuclear weapons, said Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Friday in what could stir a debate among the global community.

"Till today, our nuclear policy is 'No First Use'. What happens in future depends on the circumstances," Singh said at an event in Pokhran, the site of the nuclear tests in 1998, on the first death anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

Singh elaborated on the issue in a tweet: "Pokhran is the area which witnessed Atal Ji's firm resolve to make India a nuclear power and yet remain firmly committed to the doctrine of 'No First Use'. India has strictly adhered to this doctrine. What happens in future depends on the circumstances."

Paying tribute to Vajpayee, the minister said India attaining the status of a responsible nuclear nation became a matter of national pride for every citizen of this country. "The nation will remain indebted to the greatness of Atal Ji."

Earlier in the day, the defence minister visited Jaisalmer in Rajasthan to attend the closing ceremony of the 5th International Army Scout Masters competition. He then proceeded to Pokhran. "It is a coincidence that today I came for the International Army Scout Masters Competition in Jaisalmer, and today is the first death anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee. So, I felt I should pay tribute to him on the land of Pokhran only," he said.

Despite apprehensions of impending global pressure and sanctions by Western countries, Vajpayee had gone ahead with the nuclear tests in the interest of the nation. The brouhaha died a natural death after some time as the world saw merit in India's decision. India had then declared a "no first use" nuclear policy. A somewhat similar situation is currently unfolding following the removal of the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370.
Pakistan has been running from one nation to the other seeking intervention.

However, India has stood firm on the move, stressing that it is in the interest of the nation and the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

In February this year, India silenced Pakistan over its repeated nuclear threats by conducting an aerial raid on a terrorist training camp deep inside the Line of Control after 40 soldiers were martyred in the Pulwama terror strike.

In the past few years, India has hinted of being flexible with its nuclear policy. In 2016, two years into the first term of the Modi government, then Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar had wondered why India needed a "no first use policy" at all.

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