Almost five years later, the three services have still not fully understood that joint/theatre commands are not a discussion point; they are the prime minister's diktat on a military reform measure that is in line with what armed forces around the world have implemented, points out Ajai Shukla.
Pakistan on Sunday described as "pure fiction" a US media report about possible American plans to secure the country's nuclear arsenal in the event of any extremist threat, saying no one should "underestimate" its capability to defend its national interests.
India on Sunday successfully test fired its nuclear-capable ballistic missile 'Dhanush', with a range of 350 kilometers, from a naval ship off the Orissa coast.
Some people, who talk about the high expenses of nuclear programme, do not know the importance of nuclear capability, Dr Samar Mubarakmand, Member Science and Technology, Planning Commission of Pakistan, said.
"We have the technical expertise and capability to build nuclear-powered aircraft carriers and warships of global standards," Kakodkar said, on the sidelines of a function in Mumbai last night.
Libyan leader Moamer Gadaffi stirred up a storm by saying that Arab nations and even the Palestinians had the right to nuclear weapons as long as Israel's nuclear ambitions were tolerated.
'India has so far spent Rs 30,000 crores on the ATV, with virtually no side benefits. This equals the entire budget of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act last year, which generated 45 million person days of employment.'
Pakistan's atomic weapons stockpile has jumped to an estimated 70-90 warheads from a previous figure of 60 and it is also developing two new types of nuclear-capable cruise missiles, according to a top American scientist.
The series of tough international sanctions have weakened Iran, US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta on said on Monday, adding that even though Tehran has not taken a decision on building nuclear weapons, intelligence information says that it continues to develop their nuclear capabilities.
"We have eyes onto the Iranian nuclear programme and we would be aware of any so-called breakout move by the Iranians towards building a nuclear weapon. That has not occurred, but that window of opportunity will close at some point," the White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, told media persons at his daily news conference.
Shigeru Ishiba is expected to prioritise strengthening Japan's military capabilities and fostering deeper international partnerships, particularly with India, with whom Japan shares significant strategic interests, explains Dr Rajaram Panda.
The reimposition of sanctions on Iran will have major impact on countries like India, with which it has traditional and historic trade relationship.
Officials said the launch of the Hatf-IV, also known as the Shaheen-1, would strengthen the country's deterrence capabilities "manifold".
North Korea had stopped the nuclear reactor, located within the nuclear complex in Yongbyon, north of Pyongyang, late last year, with no signs of reprocessing activities there anymore.
With India's growing conventional capabilities and more pro-active military plans, Pakistan's military authorities have begun to emphasise the utility of tactical nuclear weapons, says Michael Krepon.
In a major step towards completing its nuclear triad, India has activated the atomic reactor on-board the indigenous nuclear submarine INS Arihant, paving the way for its operational deployment by the Indian Navy.
India on Friday said it is developing a long-range nuclear-capable Agni-VI ballistic missile that would carry multiple warheads, allowing one weapon system to take out several targets at a time. "Agni-V is major strategic defence weapon. Now we want to make Agni-VI which would be a force multiplier," said Defence Research and Development Organisation chief V K Saraswat.
The display of India's military strength, specially the intercontinental ballistic missle Agni-V, has been highlighted by the Chinese official media in Beijing on Saturday.
Japanese companies have been found to have played a key role in supplying at least 6,000 ring magnets and other materials to rogue Pakistani scientist AQ Khan.
Pakistan on Tuesday successfully test fired the nuclear-capable Hatf-VII cruise missile with a range of 700 km, the latest in a series of tests of missiles that can hit targets deep within India.
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India is witnessing trailers of future conflicts and its adversaries will continue with efforts to achieve their strategic aims, Army Chief Gen MM Naravane said on Thursday delving into national security challenges emanating from China and Pakistan.
Aziz said Pakistan is committed not to transfer nuclear weapons to other states or assist others to acquire nuclear weapons and consistently supported the goal of a nuclear-weapons-free world.
India on Thursday hit back at China for its statement that Nuclear Suppliers Group membership can't be a "farewell gift", saying it was not seeking the membership to the 48-nation grouping as gift but instead based on its non-proliferation record.
India is planning three more tests of the nuclear capable Agni-III missile with a range of 3000 km.
Primarily aimed at India, Pakistan is making qualitative and quantitative improvements to its nuclear arsenal and "could increase the number of circumstances under which it would be willing to use nuclear weapons," a Congressional report has said.
The CRPF has created an exclusive team of about 1,800 personnel within its special anti-riots wing Rapid Action Force (RAF) to act as responders against CBRN attacks and various other disasters, a senior officer of the force said on Thursday.
Pakistan on Thursday test-fired its 1,300 km range nuclear-capable ballistic missile Hatf V, a day after it reached an agreement with India on nuclear risk reduction.
India is solely responsible for prompting Pakistan to pursue a nuclear weapons capability, says Retired Pakistani Brigadier General Feroz Khan, erstwhile insider in Islamabad's nuclear weapons establishment. Aziz Haniffa reports.
India is on course to test-fire the over 5,000 km range nuclear-capable Agni-5 missile next year and a successful mission would put the country in an elite club of nations with Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) capabilities.
The indigenously developed low-flying stealth design missile, which can carry a nuclear or a conventional warhead, was tested at an undisclosed location.
'We have been found seriously wanting in addressing our undersea warfare capability and China's emergence is a cause for concern.'
Adding teeth to its nuclear deterrence, India on Tuesday successfully test-fired an advanced variant of nuclear-capable Agni-II ballistic missile with a strike range of 3,000 km from an island off Odisha coast.
'It was India's good fortune to have a Vajpayee lead the government at this crucial moment in history.' 'By taking the N-decision he saved future generations of Indians from being 'Kosovoed' or 'Iraqed',' says Colonel Anil A Athale (retd).
India's nuclear-capable, surface-to-surface Agni-II ballistic missile, with a strike range of 2,000 kms, was on Friday test-fired as part of user trial by the army from the Wheeler Island off Orissa coast.
'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.'
Conveying his condolences to the bereaved family, Manmohan Singh said Ramanna's contribution to the development of India's nuclear capabilities and the consolidation of its nuclear programme would be remembered for a long time to come.
This will be the highest number of missiles Pakistan has ever produced in a year if the government achieves the target, The Express Tribune newspaper quoted its sources as saying.
