Why bind ourselves to ‘no first use policy’ Parrikar on nuke doctrine

TIL Desk/National/New Delhi/ Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today 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. “Why should I bind myself? I should say I am a responsible nuclear power and I will not use it irresponsibly.

This is my (personal) thinking,” Parrikar said replying to a question as he explained the need to be unpredictable in warfare strategy. Following the nuclear weapons test in 1998, India had declared a “no first use” nuclear policy. Taking a dig at the media, he said they will publish that the nuclear policy has changed.

“It has not changed in government. It is my concept. As an individual I also get feeling. I am not saying you have to use it first. Hoax can be called off,” he said, adding that prior to the surgical strike, Pakistan Defence Minister used to threaten India with the possible use of tactical nuclear weapons. “From the day surgical strike happened, no threat has come. They realised that we can do something which is not well defined,” he said.