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Shamsul Basunia //
India nuclearized its ocean and destabilized
the South Asian’s weaponry balance. India confirmed it in April, 2016 tested
the K-4 missile, which can be launched by a submarine and carry a nuclear
warhead up to 3,500 kilometres away. The confirmation came after secret tests
were done in March in the Indian Ocean.
Alarmed at India’s naval nuclear
ambitions, Islamabad has taken up New Delhi’s recent test of a
submarine-launched, nuclear-capable ballistic missile with its arch rival, amid
fears the move has serious implications for strategic stability in South Asia.
The move not only raised tense in
Pakistan and surrounding countries but also caused concerns as India did not
give prior notification to Islamabad or any other country as part of the
broader understanding existing between the parties
This is a serious development. Since
1988 both countries Pakistan and India formally or informally inform each other
about such missile tests but this time India chose otherwise, said a senior
Foreign Office official while requesting anonymity.
Pakistan and
India signed a landmark agreement in 2005 on the pre-notification of ballistic
missile tests in order to prevent misunderstanding and misinterpretations, and
promote a stable environment of peace and security between the two countries.
The official said Pakistan had raised
the issue with Indian authorities through diplomatic channels to explain as to
why New Delhi this time ignored this understanding.
Strategic
affairs expert Dr Ishtiaq Ahmed said the ‘nuclearisation of Indian Ocean’ will
certainly alter the ‘strategic balance’ in this part of the region.
This all
happened at a time Pakistan and India have been struggling to resume the
structured dialogue following the attack on the Pathankot airbase in January.
Although, foreign secretaries of the two countries met in New Delhi at the
sidelines of a conference on Afghanistan, the two sides could not agree on the
formal start of comprehensive bilateral dialogue.
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