The stance and size of Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal have been wrought with speculation. Reliable international estimates suggest that Pakistan now has at least 140 nuclear warheads, slightly more than India does. New Delhi’s position has been clear: These weapons are to be used only in retaliation to a nuclear attack, but strike back India certainly will. What should be evident from the above is that an expansion of a nuclear arsenal beyond the bare minimum requirement is irrational. On this, too, India ought to engage the world’s other nuclear powers in a dialogue.

Source: Mint July 21, 2019 14:15 UTC