more-inIndia continues to modernise its atomic arsenal with an eye on China and the country’s nuclear strategy which traditionally focused on Pakistan now appears to place increased emphasis on the Communist giant, two top American nuclear experts have said. India is estimated to have produced enough plutonium for 150—200 nuclear warheads but has likely produced only 120—130, wrote Hans M Kristensen and Robert S Norris in the article — “Indian nuclear forces 2017”. India’s nuclear strategy, which has traditionally focused on Pakistan, now appears to place increased emphasis on China, the two experts claimed. While India has traditionally been focused on deterring Pakistan, its nuclear modernisation indicates that it is putting increased emphasis on its future strategic relationship with China,” they wrote. India is estimated to have produced approximately 600 kg of weapon-grade plutonium, sufficient for 150-200 nuclear warheads; however, not all the material has been converted into nuclear warheads, it said.

Source: The Hindu July 13, 2017 08:03 UTC