Obama makes N-jibe at India, Pak, says don’t go wrong way

US Prez lists global nuclear arsenal cuts, North Korea’s atomic programme as challenges

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama has flagged the Indian subcontinent as a challenge in the context of global nuclear security, saying India and Pakistan must ensure their military doctrines do not move in the “wrong direction”.

Obama made the remarks during a news conference held after the fourth and final Nuclear Security Summit hosted by him. He also listed the reduction of the nuclear arsenals of the US and Russia, and North Korea’s atomic programme as other key challenges.

“The other area where I think we need to see progress is Pakistan and India, that subcontinent, making sure that as they develop military doctrines, that they are not continually moving in the wrong direction,” he told the news conference at the end of the two-day summit.

Although Obama did not spell out his concerns, his remarks appeared to be a reference to the growing atomic arsenals of India and Pakistan and the nuclear doctrines of the two countries.

Pakistan is believed to have the world’s f astest growing stockpile of nuclear weapons and US secretary of state John Kerry recently cited the example of the US and Russia — which are working to reduce their arsenals — as he nudged Islamabad to cut the number of weapons and review its nuclear policy.

While India adopted a “no first use” policy soon after its nuclear blasts in 1998, Pakistan has not put in place a similar policy. The world community has also expressed concern about Pakistan’s new policy of developing tactical or battlefield nuclear weapons to counter any possible military thrust by Indian forces.

CONTINUED ON P9