Dear Editor,
The statement by the Defence Minister recently regarding the ‘no first use’ doctrine deserves to be discussed. There will be no use of these weapons if we are attacked by the enemy first with similar weapons.
The two-front war strategy doctrine needs a result-oriented debate to make it more rational and relevant. If Pakistan can openly canvass about nuclear use in case of war with India, what is our hitch in changing the doctrine from ‘no first use’ to use when required for national safety and security? India’s active role towards disarmament of N-weapons must continue simultaneously, but the deterrence factor must be in place. Building and acquiring of sophisticated technological weapons, equipment and resources would be of no use if kept aside in storage.
Wg Cdr Jasbir Singh Minhas (Retd),
Mohali