New Delhi/Srinagar: Opposition parties slammed Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, accusing him of making irresponsible remarks, a day after he suggested that there should be an element of surprise in the country’s nuclear doctrine.
Reacting strongly to his statement, the CPI(M) on Friday hit out at Parrikar over his remark on nuclear weapon use policy, saying it has serious implications for India’s security, its standing in international ties and “undermines” the country’s bid for a berth in UNSC and NSG.
Slamming the Minister, the party termed as “completely untenable” Parrikar’s contention that the remark was his personal opinion and said if he wishes to air personal views, he may do so after resigning from the Union Cabinet.
Parrikar had on Thursday wondered why India cannot say “we are a responsible nuclear power and I will not use it irresponsibly” instead of affirming a “no first use policy”, remarks he said were personal in nature. “The Defence Minister’s statement clearly indicates this government is negating India’s established stand on use of nuclear weapons in war. It jeopardises India’s security concerns by undermining the declared good neighbourly relations approach,” CPI(M) Politburo said in a statement.
“Further it undermines India’s efforts for membership of international bodies like the UN Security Council and Nuclear Suppliers Group,” it added.
The party also demanded PM Modi to clarify his government’s commitment to India’s long standing position of universal nuclear disarmament and the non-use of nuclear weapons in war.
Meanwhile, former J&K CM Omar Abdullah said the “no-first-use” of nuclear weapons has been the corner stone of the country’s nuclear policy which has allowed it to lay claim to being a responsible power.
“No first use has been the corner stone of our nuclear policy and allowed India to lay claim to being a responsible power after Pokhran 2,” Omar wrote on Twitter. He was reacting to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s remarks on why India cannot say “we are a responsible nuclear power and I will not use it irresponsibly” instead of affirming a “no first use policy”. (PTI)
