Pakistan

Pakistan says "seriously concerned" by India's missile tests

India's actions are upsetting the strategic balance in South Asia, says foreign affairs adviser Sartaj Aziz

Reuters May 19, 2016

a file photo of pm 039 s adviser of national security sartaj aziz photo express

A file photo of PM's adviser of National Security Sartaj Aziz. PHOTO: EXPRESS

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan is "seriously concerned" by India's recent test of anti-ballistic missiles which media reports say could intercept incoming nuclear weapons, a senior foreign ministry official said on Thursday, warning it would upgrade its defences.

India's defence and foreign ministries did not respond to requests for comment and the defence ministry has not stated whether any test was conducted. India has not announced these tests in the past.

India on May 15 tested a locally designed Anti-Ballistic Missile system which could in theory intercept a nuclear-carrying ballistic missile.

India test-fires advanced interceptor missile

Islamabad views its nuclear arsenal as a deterrent against India's much larger conventional military.

Sartaj Aziz, foreign affairs adviser to prime minister, told the senate that India's latest test, as well as recent tests of nuclear capable submarine-based ballistic missiles, was "leading to nuclearisation" of the Indian Ocean.

"Pakistan has serious concerns over these developments and will take all necessary measures to augment its defence capabilities," Aziz said.

Pakistan alleges India is building large nuclear-powered submarines capable of carrying nuclear-armed missiles.

Aziz said India's actions were upsetting the strategic balance in South Asia and affecting the maritime security of other Indian Ocean nations.

"We are not oblivious to our defence needs and will have to upgrade our defensive capabilities through suitable technologies without entering into an arms race," Aziz said, according to a foreign ministry statement.

COMMENTS (21)

True blue Indian | 8 years ago | Reply @Ahmed: Go on use those fancy toys Nuclear first. We will try to intercept it. Whether we will fail or succeed in it is different issue. Massive retaliation would be coming for Pakistan. You need to worry about that.

Ahmed | 8 years ago | Reply India has signed treaty that restricts India from first nuclear attack. We haven't signed yet. We will use it first definitely.

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Adam | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan on world stage wants to make india to be a threat to whole of asia but in reality pakistan will have far more advanced missiles in store for india so stop dreaming this is what you call politics

ghazal | 8 years ago | Reply Country who threaten other with nykrs at drop of hat is objecting on other having right to defend themselves or having second strike capabilities. Brilliant logic, world will always support north Korean and pakistani right to muje others

SKChadha | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan is always seriously concerned by any development around the world .... :-)

Chacha Jee | 8 years ago | Reply But Indians are not concerned, Indians did not even informed you. Now Modi is going to Iran to sign Iran and Afghanistan treaty on trade. Therei is word going around that Chinese are concerned about CPEC and that is the reason Chief had gone there. China has lot to lose in trade if India takes tough stand. Out of total $ 80 billion, india imports $60 billion goods from China. It is for China to lose if trade relationship with india . By the way, other than Pakistan. China has very poor relations with all its neighbors.

Bharat | 8 years ago | Reply Go on aziz !!!! You should start spending more money on the arms race. Endless spending - and that is why Aurangzeb starter the process of loosing an empire ( and he never really understood it)

KRL | 8 years ago | Reply Amazing to see the number of Indian comments here. You guys are obsessed with Pakistan but I do agree that such statements from our ministers won't do any harm. Don't worry Indians we will catch up. This missile technology is not something innovative. It can be done.

India | 8 years ago | Reply One Muslim soldier is equal to 10 Indian soldiers. One Pakistani missile is equal to 10 Indian missiles. India should be "seriously concerned" about Pakistan's military power.

Praful R Shah | 8 years ago | Reply This is reply to reply to Pakistan using nukes in ordinary warfare. If Pakistan stops terrorism, the prolem will be sol

SuperNeo | 8 years ago | Reply very funny minister !!!!

Naresh | 8 years ago | Reply Pakistan does not have to worry. It has more and better Nuclear Bombs than India - may be One and a Half Times or even Two Times - including Tactical Nuclear Wepons of whiich India has Zilch - Nada - Zero. Cheers

Anonymous | 8 years ago | Reply By all means we should enter into an arms race.If India can do so so can we.

Sid | 8 years ago | Reply Why such hoopla. Go and upgrade it as your needs. Are you worried that nobody will give you free upgrades like USA use to so far ?

someone | 8 years ago | Reply Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Myanmar even Bangladesh did not protest. Only Pakistanis are having high blood pressure. If you don't mess, you dont get hurt.

Buzzkill | 8 years ago | Reply There are 3 countries in the region who have nuclear weapons. 2 out of those - India & China have a "No first strike" nuclear policy. That leaves Pakistan as the only country in the region with an offensive nuclear posturing. So someone should ask Mr. Aziz, which country is exactly the threat to the region? Since Pakistan has refused to sign a "No first strike" agreement, India has every right to develop second strike nuclear capability as well as ballistic interceptors. Pakistani leaders will no longer be able to thump their chests & resort to nuclear blackmail with India and that's why they are uncomfortable. Sorry sir, but you can't have your cake & eat it too.

Sunil | 8 years ago | Reply Honestly stop crying, just do what you need to do and spend your money on building what ever you like, we do not care. Our defense budget $50 billion yours $9 billion, not our problem. Hope you publish this and see the reality ... that being you need to let go of your hate for Hindus and try to live in peace. CPEC ain't going to help you, because the Chinese will control it and Muslims in China are far worse off then in most parts of the world, they can't even pray without permission. Why do you support China?

Singh | 8 years ago | Reply “We are not oblivious to our defence needs and will have to upgrade our defensive capabilities through suitable technologies without entering into an arms race,” Aziz said, according to a foreign ministry statement. Without arm race how you can do it? please elaborate it.

Rahul | 8 years ago | Reply Indians want to be ahead in the race, let Pakistan worry about balance.

Apoorv Swarup | 8 years ago | Reply The world is seriously concerned about the development and deployment of tactical nukes by Pakistan, which increases proliferation and the chance of a nuclear incident several timesthan ever before.

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