India drafts warning of retaliation in case of nuclear attack

According to the draft policy, some nuclear weapons will be mounted on missiles to be used for retaliation if nuclear weapons are used against India VIDEO CNN's Satinder Bindra interviews Indian External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh about the doctrine. Real 28K 80K Windows Media 28K 80K

August 18, 1999
Web posted at: 11:25 a.m. EDT (1525 GMT)

From staff and wire reports

In this story: Proposal calls for nuclear readiness Pakistan relations at low point RELATED STORIES, SITES

NEW DELHI, India (CNN) -- India is pledging to continue its nuclear weapons program and warns it will retaliate for any nuclear attack with a nuclear strike of its own, according to a draft doctrine released Tuesday by India's National Security Advisory Board.

"We should remain in a position to retaliate if nuclear weapons are used against us," said Brajesh Mishra, national security adviser to the prime minister.

The draft policy can only be adopted after a new government is seated following general elections in October. But it has alarmed U.S. defense officials, who expressed concern an escalation of a conflict between India and Pakistan could lead to nuclear war in one of the world's most densely populated regions.

"We feel that this is an area where a nuclear war is possible if people don't show restraint, and it's an area where the damage would be extraordinary because of the large populations of these two countries," said Pentagon spokesman Ken Bacon.

Proposal calls for nuclear readiness

According to the proposed nuclear doctrine, India plans to mount some of its nuclear weapons on army missiles and provide them to its navy and air force.

"It is perhaps a reminder to everyone that India is set on a course and that people must get used to the idea that India is going to go ahead with its nuclear weapons program," said Indian nuclear analyst Kanti Bajpai.

The doctrine says India will not use nuclear weapons first or against a state that does not have them or is not aligned with a nuclear-armed power.

It said nuclear weapons would be tightly controlled and launched only with the authorization of the prime minister, or a designated successor.

"We will continue to operate with maximum restraint. We are a responsible member of the international community and we shall continue to be so," said Indian External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh.

More than 1,000 people were killed earlier this summer in battles between India and Pakistan over Kashmir

Pakistan relations at low point

The nuclear policy draft comes at a time when relations between India and Pakistan are at their lowest point in years. Earlier this summer, both countries fought a two-month conflict over the disputed territory of Kashmir. More than 1,000 people on both sides were killed.

Last week, India shot down a Pakistani reconnaissance plane, prompting the armies of both countries to go on full alert. Such an environment has dangerous potential between two well-armed nuclear powers, Pentagon officials fear.

"We believe that both countries would be better off if they took steps to reduce tensions, not increase tensions," Bacon said.

The draft made no mention of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, which the United States and other Western countries have pressed India to sign.

"The question of signing the CTBT is being discussed by the government and various political parties," Mishra said. A decision would be made by the new government.

New Delhi Bureau Chief Satinder Bindra, Producer Chris Plante and The Associated Press contributed to this report.