New Delhi: In the wake of media and
think-tank reports estimating the size of Pakistan's nuclear
arsenal, India on Thursday said it does not comment on the veracity
of reports about nuclear weapons of various countries.
"Government does not comment on the veracity of specific
reports about nuclear weapons of various countries," said
Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed in the Rajya
Sabha in a written reply to a question by BJP's R N Pany who
had sought to know whether Pakistan has more nuclear bombs
than India.
Confirming that the government has seen media/think-tank
reports estimating the size of the neighbour's nuclear
arsenal, Ahamed said, "Government continuously monitors all
developments having a bearing on national security and takes
all necessary steps to safeguard it".
To a separate question concerning a recent report by
International Atomic Energy Agency about the nuclear programme
of Iran, the Minister said there is a "mention of Pakistan in
a footnote of the report".
He said the report once again hightlights the need for
international focus on the role of the "so-called clandestine
proliferation network".
PTI
First Published: Thursday, December 01, 2011, 18:39