India to fine-tune n-delivery systems

By Our Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI, MAY 31. India today said it would fine-tune its nuclear delivery systems and cited China's larger arsenal as well as its help to Pakistan for developing atomic weapons.

The annual Defence Ministry report released today said India was committed to a minimum nuclear deterrent which would include accurate and refined nuclear delivery systems. According to the draft nuclear doctrine, India had declared it was developing a small but credible deterrent which would include the positioning of its nuclear weaponry on land, sea and air.

In a related development, the Defence Minister, Mr. Jaswant Singh, said the Agni-II missile was likely to be inducted into the armed forces ``during 2001-2002''. Addressing MPs of the consultative committee of his Ministry, Mr. Singh said ``limited'' production of the ``operational missile system'', had commenced. With a range beyond 2,000 km., the missile is the bedrock of the Indian minimum deterrent.

The report pointed out that Beijing was modernising its defence forces and that its missiles could reach every major Indian city. Besides, China was acquiring the flexibility of delivering nuclear weapons by positioning ballistic missiles on its submarines.

Pakistan had escalated cross-border terrorism in the last one year and had upgraded the weaponry, communication equipment and training of key insurgent groups based on its soil. Militancy in Jammu and Kashmir had acquired a new dimension with the marginalisation of the Kashmiri insurgent groups by Pakistan.

The 128-page report referred to the rapid increase in militancy in Kupwara, Poonch and Rajouri districts of the State in the last one year. These areas were now witnessing ``intense counter proxy war operations''.

It, however, acknowledged the decline in firing across the Line of Control, but was dismissive of Pakistan's declaration of ``maximum restraint''. This assertion was ``self-serving in nature and did not address New Delhi's concerns of Pakistan's continued sponsorship of cross-border terrorism''.

It also expressed concern at Nepal and Bangladesh being used by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence for launching subversive activity, especially in the North-East.

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