India can secure its borders, says Parrikar

India’s Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has dismissed his Pakistani counterpart Khawaja Asif’s ominous statement about his country’s option of using nuclear weapons in a conflict, The Indian Express reported on Thursday.

Parrikar was quoted as telling the Indian publication that New Delhi was capable of securing its borders. “Answer to every question is not necessary. I am defence minister of India, not Pakistan. India is capable of securing its borders,” he said. Asif had previously stated in an interview that if the need arose than Pakistan would use its nuclear weapons for survival. He had further commented that use of nuclear weapons were an option as they were not kept merely for show but as deterrents.

Parrikar was also asked to comment on China blocking a proposal for action by the UN against Pakistan and on release of Mumbai attack mastermind Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi. “This matter is related to the external affairs ministry and the prime minister.”

To a question on cross-border terrorism, the defence minister said, “It has come down.”

The defence minister did not comment on the possibility of his country conducting Myanmar-like strikes in the future. Last month, India carried out a surgical strike inside Myanmar after rebels had reportedly killed 18 soldiers in Manipur. The strike was carried out by commandos on specific intelligence input in coordination with Myanmar authorities.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2015.