India slams Pakistan for expressing concern over deployment of INS Arihant

NEW DELHI: India Friday hit back at Pakistan for expressing concern over the recent deployment of nuclear submarine INS Arihant, saying the comments come from a country for whom the “tenet of responsibility” does not exist.

Pakistan’s Foreign Office spokesperson Mohammad Faisal, at a media briefing Thursday, said: “This development marks the first actual deployment of ready-to-fire nuclear warheads in South Asia which is a matter of concern not only for the Indian Ocean littoral states but also for the international community at large.”

Responding to a question on Faisal’s remarks, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar, during a media briefing here, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had made India’s stand clear on the issue.

Modi has made it clear that India’s nuclear arsenal was not a part of an aggressive policy, but it was an important means for peace and stability.

Kumar said,”we are a responsible nation and I think these comments are coming from a country for whom the tenet of responsibility does not exist.” Marking the country’s nuclear triad, Indian nuclear submarine INS Arihant, or the “destroyer of enemies” has successfully completed its first deterrence patrol.

On the issue of opening of the Kartarpur Sahib corridor, Kumar said Pakistan had not officially communicated anything to India on the issue.

Asked about Punjab Chief Minister Amarinder Singh writing to External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj on the issue, he said he would have to look at the contents of the letter and then could comment on it.

He, however, said India has taken up the matter with Pakistan in the past on the opening of the border for Sikh pilgrims to go and visit the Gurdwara on the other side.