India News

The United States strictly objected to threats of nuclear warfare made by Pakistan against India and has conveyed its displeasure to that country in this regard.  “We made that (American objection on nuclear threat) clear to them (Pakistan). Repeatedly,” a senior State Department official said.

"It is very concerning. It is a serious thing,” the official said when asked about Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif’s assertions, twice in the last 15 days, that his country could use nuclear weapons against India.

In a latest interview for a Pakistani news channel, Asif said, "We will destroy India if it dares to impose war on us. Pakistan army is fully prepared to answer any misadventure of India. We have not made atomic device to display in a showcase. If a such a situation arises we will use it (nuclear weapons) and eliminate India.”

The Obama administration considered these statements as "irresponsible". In a tacit acknowledgement that it has concerns over the safety of nuclear weapons in Pakistan, the official said the US is closely monitoring the safety and security of those weapons of mass destruction.

“The safety of these weapons is always a concern for us. So we are always monitoring it, regardless of what they said on this particular occasion,” said the State Department official.

On the other side, Deputy State Department Spokesman Mark Toner said, "nuclear-capable states have a very clear responsibility to exercise restraint regarding nuclear weapons and missile capabilities”.

Earlier, US had condemned the attack on Uri in Kashmir and urged Pakistan and India to diffuse tensions. Closer home, China has also urged both countries to cool the tensions.