Posted on 07/28/2009 11:01:21 PM PDT by ErnstStavroBlofeld
Pakistan hit out at India on Tuesday, branding its first nuclear-powered submarine "detrimental" to regional peace and vowing to take "appropriate steps" to maintain a "strategic balance". Relations between nuclear-armed rivals India and Pakistan have plummeted since Islamist gunmen killed 166 people in Mumbai last November, attacks that New Delhi blamed on banned Pakistani group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).
"Continued induction of new lethal weapon systems by India is detrimental to regional peace and stability," the foreign ministry said.
Arch-rival India on Sunday launched the first of five planned submarines by naming the 6,000-tonne INS Arihant (Destroyer of Enemies), powered by an 85-megawatt nuclear reactor that can reach 44 kilometres an hour (24 knots).
The submarine will be armed with torpedoes and ballistic missiles, and carry a crew of 95, according to Indian defence officials.
"Pakistan believes that maintenance of strategic balance is essential for peace and security in south Asia," the foreign ministry said.
"Without entering into an arms race with India, Pakistan will take all appropriate steps to safeguard its security and maintain strategic balance."
The Pakistan navy also voiced concern.
"It is a matter of serious concern not only for Pakistan but also for all littoral states in the Indian Ocean and beyond," a spokesman said.
"All littoral states, including Pakistan, have to take necessary safeguards in the wake of new induction in its navy by India."
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
So what exactly does... “Pakistan has gone further than ever before”... really mean?
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