News for 'First Use of Nuclear Weapons'

Op Sindoor: Less than 50 weapons brought Pak to talking table, says IAF

Op Sindoor: Less than 50 weapons brought Pak to talking table, says IAF

Rediff.com25 Jul 2025

IAF Vice Chief Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari highlights Operation Sindoor as an example of how a limited number of weapons can bring an adversary to the negotiating table. He emphasized the cost-benefit of air power and the advantages of manned systems.

Will Iran Have The Last Laugh In The Gulf War?

Will Iran Have The Last Laugh In The Gulf War?

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

16 days into the war, US forces were already running out of ground-attack missiles and Israel is about to expend its entire Arrow interceptor missiles by end March. To be sure, the Iranians are watching closely and that explains their defiant stance that 'Iran will end the war when it decides to do so and when its conditions are met', notes Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

The US Rescue That Raises More Questions Than It Answers

The US Rescue That Raises More Questions Than It Answers

Rediff.com6 Apr 2026

The 'rescue' operation occurred within kilometres of Iran's underground tunnel complex at Isfahan, assessed by the IAEA and US intelligence as holding a substantial portion of the country's 60 per cent enriched uranium stockpile. Retired senior US military officers have highlighted that the mission's footprint -- hundreds of special operators, multiple heavy-lift aircraft deep inside Iran -- appears outsized for recovering a single airman. Prem Panicker continues his must read blog on the Iran War.

Can Iran Expect Help From Putin Now?

Can Iran Expect Help From Putin Now?

Rediff.com23 Jun 2025

Will Russia's entry deter Trump on his warpath?, asks Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

Iran opens Hormuz to all commercial ships; Trump hails decision

Iran opens Hormuz to all commercial ships; Trump hails decision

Rediff.com18 Apr 2026

Iran has announced the Strait of Hormuz is open to commercial vessels, coinciding with a ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel.

Obama limits use of nuke arms in new strategy

Obama limits use of nuke arms in new strategy

Rediff.com6 Apr 2010

In his Nuclear Posture Review to be released on Tuesday, Obama has however rejected the proposal that the sole purpose of nuclear arms is deterrence.

Atalji@100: Vajpayee's Unmatched Legacy

Atalji@100: Vajpayee's Unmatched Legacy

Rediff.com25 Dec 2024

It was good fortune for India to have Atal Bihari Vajpayee lead the government at a crucial moment in our history. He avoided India meeting the fate of Iraq or Ukraine, asserts military historian Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).

'Pakistanis Don't Know Where India Will Hit Them'

'Pakistanis Don't Know Where India Will Hit Them'

Rediff.com14 May 2025

'They thought nobody would hit Bahawalpur and Muridke because they have nuclear weapons.' 'They used to think India cannot touch our military targets because we are a nuclear weapons country.' 'After Operation Sindoor we have called their bluff.'

The Night Iran 'Set The Ganges On Fire'

The Night Iran 'Set The Ganges On Fire'

Rediff.com2 Jul 2025

'Within minutes, my mobile began ringing. It was National Security Adviser Brajesh Mishra, asking why the Iranians were complaining.' 'I explained that we had only restated our position in the light of the conclusion reached by the IAEA, but will remain helpful to Iran to reach a consensus.' 'Then came a call from Foreign Secretary Kamal Sibal, repeating what Mishra said about the Iranian complaint.' 'I was very impressed that Iran was able to reach two top officials in India to intervene at short notice,' recalls Ambassador T P Sreenivasan.

Can Pak be trusted with nukes, Rajnath asks the world

Can Pak be trusted with nukes, Rajnath asks the world

Rediff.com15 May 2025

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday questioned the safety of nuclear weapons in the hands of Pakistan, and said they should be taken under monitoring of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iran: Trump Talks Tough, But Keeps Door Open

Iran: Trump Talks Tough, But Keeps Door Open

Rediff.com11 Feb 2025

The stage may be set for a recalibrated US-Iran relationship, suggests Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

'Putin's Military Won't Allow Nuclear War'

'Putin's Military Won't Allow Nuclear War'

Rediff.com4 Mar 2022

'Putin is just flexing his muscles. He is not going to do anything. He is not that crazy.'

War In The Strait Has Reached A Condom Factory!

War In The Strait Has Reached A Condom Factory!

Rediff.com24 Apr 2026

Karex, the Malaysian company that makes roughly one in five of the world's condoms -- about five billion a year, supplying Durex and Trojan among others -- announced this week that it is raising prices by up to 30 percent. The reason is the Strait of Hormuz.

Modi's concerns on nuclear arms impacted Russia amid Ukraine war: CIA chief

Modi's concerns on nuclear arms impacted Russia amid Ukraine war: CIA chief

Rediff.com18 Dec 2022

Notably, India has been calling for dialogue and diplomacy since the war began between Russia and Ukraine.

Operation Sindoor redraws India's security goals in 2025

Operation Sindoor redraws India's security goals in 2025

Rediff.com31 Dec 2025

In 2025, India launched Operation Sindoor, a multi-domain combat mission against Pakistan in response to cross-border terrorism. The operation involved precision strikes, military retaliation, and diplomatic measures, marking a significant shift in India's security policy.

Has US Repeated Its Iraq Mistake?

Has US Repeated Its Iraq Mistake?

Rediff.com11 Mar 2026

Israel and the United States had a plan. Iran punched back. And now the Gulf is reeling, the world is beginning to feel the pain and, as on date, no one in Washington or Tel Aviv appears willing to admit that the punch has landed, notes Prem Panicker, continuing his must-read blog on the war in the Middle East.

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Iran War Exposes Washington's Strategic Chaos

Rediff.com12 Mar 2026

What we are watching is something different: A fog manufactured and maintained by the people who started the war, so that the question of why it was started never has to be answered, observes Prem Panicker in his must read blog on the war in the Middle East.

'Putin's nuclear threats are attempts to bully the world'

'Putin's nuclear threats are attempts to bully the world'

Rediff.com2 May 2022

'Putin is in danger of losing face in his Ukrainian adventure. His bluster is a response to this.'

'ISI Had No Clue About US' Bin Laden Mission'

'ISI Had No Clue About US' Bin Laden Mission'

Rediff.com15 Sep 2025

'Shock, confusion, and paralysis reigned.' 'Pakistan was caught in a most embarrassing situation. It could neither claim credit for the operation nor admit to a dismal intelligence failure and lack of army preparedness.'

Trump's Huge Venezuela Gamble

Trump's Huge Venezuela Gamble

Rediff.com24 Jan 2026

I am inclined to believe that the Venezuela adventure is not an indication of American strength, alas, but rather of American weakness, points out Rajeev Srinivasan.

India refuses to join NPT as non-nuclear state

India refuses to join NPT as non-nuclear state

Rediff.com31 Oct 2014

India has voted against the provisions of draft resolutions that would have required it to accede to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, saying there is "no question" of it joining the treaty as a non-nuclear weapon state.

US probes leak of classified Israeli retaliatory strike plans on Iran

US probes leak of classified Israeli retaliatory strike plans on Iran

Rediff.com20 Oct 2024

The leak occurs at a particularly delicate time in US-Israel relations and is likely to infuriate Israel, which has been preparing to retaliate against Iran following a missile barrage on October 1.

Military Action Must For Pakistan's Thousand Cuts Strategy

Military Action Must For Pakistan's Thousand Cuts Strategy

Rediff.com9 Jun 2025

We have nothing to gain by raising our concerns internationally as our narrative has got entangled with several controversial concepts in the United Nations, asserts Ambassador T N Sreenivasan.

How India can leash nuclear monsters in our neighbourhood

How India can leash nuclear monsters in our neighbourhood

Rediff.com22 Feb 2018

'Only when India's adversaries are convinced that India has both the necessary political and military will and the hardware to respond to a nuclear strike with punitive retaliation that will inflict unacceptable loss of human life and unprecedented material damage, will they be deterred,' says Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd).

India's Nuclear Churning: From Idealism To Realism

India's Nuclear Churning: From Idealism To Realism

Rediff.com11 May 2024

Although the credit for acquiring the technological skill must be given to India's outstanding nuclear scientists, the decision to go nuclear was a political one that entailed clarity of vision, courage and resolve, points out Rup Narayan Das.

Why Afghanistan And Pakistan Are At War

Why Afghanistan And Pakistan Are At War

Rediff.com4 Mar 2026

Afghans have deep self-respect and are the last people to put up with humiliation. Is it any surprise that relations between Afghanistan and Pakistan have touched an all-time low and the two countries are now at war? asks M R Narayan Swamy.

Pakistan won't nuke India first, says Zardari

Pakistan won't nuke India first, says Zardari

Rediff.com22 Nov 2008

Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari on Saturday declared that his country will not be the first to use nuclear weapons against India and would work towards opening trade, besides underscoring that Kashmir belonged to the Kashmiri people.

'Pakistan's nuclear plans directed at Indian incursion into Pakistan'

'Pakistan's nuclear plans directed at Indian incursion into Pakistan'

Rediff.com20 Nov 2016

'If Indian armed forces entered Pakistan and succeeded in inflicting major damage on the Pakistani army and occupied territory in the Pakistani heartland, there is reason to think the Pakistani military would use some nuclear weapons against the incoming Indian forces to compel India to stop.'

Op Sindoor wasn't just to avenge Pahalgam, but...: CDS

Op Sindoor wasn't just to avenge Pahalgam, but...: CDS

Rediff.com5 Sep 2025

Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan identifies China border dispute as India's biggest national security challenge, followed by Pakistan's proxy war. He also highlighted regional instability, future warfare scenarios, and dealing with nuclear-armed adversaries as major concerns.

Gulf War: US, Israel Didn't Expect This To Happen

Gulf War: US, Israel Didn't Expect This To Happen

Rediff.com27 Mar 2026

The United States, which entered this war in expectation of a short, sharp win along the Venezuela model, is now preparing for deeper involvement in a conflict it does not fully control, without the allies it typically relies on, against an adversary that is not behaving as expected, in a global environment that is already absorbing economic shock. Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

Nuclear sub INS Arihant successfully completes 1st deterrence patrol

Nuclear sub INS Arihant successfully completes 1st deterrence patrol

Rediff.com6 Nov 2018

Dhanteras, the prime minister said, has become even more special.

'I don't think Putin is planning nuclear war'

'I don't think Putin is planning nuclear war'

Rediff.com5 Apr 2022

'When human beings develop these dangerous toys and leave their control in the hands of aggressive megalomaniac politicians, the threat of a nuclear holocaust is always lurking on the horizon.'

Trump should not have his fingers near nuclear codes: Clinton

Trump should not have his fingers near nuclear codes: Clinton

Rediff.com27 Sep 2016

Clinton slammed Trump for his alleged rhetoric on nuclear weapons.

When Zardari's Dream Of Peace With India Was Shattered

When Zardari's Dream Of Peace With India Was Shattered

Rediff.com13 Oct 2025

According to Mr Babar, within four days of this interview the Mumbai terror attack was underway, bringing the two countries closest to war in years -- 'The warmongers shattered Zardari's dream of peace with India'.

Pak's fourth reactor at Khushab nuclear site operational

Pak's fourth reactor at Khushab nuclear site operational

Rediff.com17 Jan 2015

Pakistan's fourth heavy water reactor at Khushab nuclear site which allows it to build a larger number of miniaturised plutonium-based nuclear weapons now appears to be operational, a US think-tank has said.

New govt needs new nuclear policy and posture

New govt needs new nuclear policy and posture

Rediff.com29 Apr 2014

The new government must initiate a comprehensive review of India's nuclear weapons doctrine and posture. Ajai Shukla explains

Why the world can't ignore a nuclear-armed Pakistan

Why the world can't ignore a nuclear-armed Pakistan

Rediff.com7 Apr 2015

A leading US daily describing nuclear-armed Pakistan as "unquestionably the biggest concern" to stability in South Asia.

Why the army prepares to fight under a nuclear shadow

Why the army prepares to fight under a nuclear shadow

Rediff.com16 May 2018

'With two nuclear neighbours, how likely is it for our armed forces to battle in a contaminated environment that could include nuclear, biological or chemical attacks by the adversary?' 'Are we prepared for the threat?' Brigadier S K Chatterji (retd) explains the meaning and significance of Operation Vijay Prahar.

Rafale stayed 300 km behind Pakistani border because....

Rafale stayed 300 km behind Pakistani border because....

Rediff.com14 May 2025

The western media is going all out to prove that India suffered a major setback in Operation Sindoor and how China helped shoot down Indian fighter jets. One of the articles published in British newspaper Telegraph stated Operation Sindoor shattered the myth of India's air dominance over Pakistan. "The Pakistani Air Force, aided by Chinese targeting satellites and AWACS executed a sensor-fusion kill. The Rafales never got a lock, never even saw their adversary. When the missiles hit, it was already over," wrote the British Newspaper, The Telegraph.

India launches ballistic missile from Nuclear-powered submarine

India launches ballistic missile from Nuclear-powered submarine

Rediff.com14 Oct 2022

India's nuclear-powered submarine INS Arihant on Friday carried out a successful launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM) in the Bay of Bengal with a 'very high accuracy', the defence ministry said.