GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
Ministry of External Affairs

RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1595
TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.03.2011
Increase of Nuclear Arsenal by Pakistan

1595. Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

a)      Whether Government is aware of media reports that the number of nuclear arsenal in Pakistan have a steadily increased since the change of guards in the US;

b)      If so, the details thereof;

c)       Whether Government of India has taken up the matter with US Government to ensure that the financial aid being provided by Government of USA to Pakistan is not being misused; and

d)      If so, the details thereof?

Answer
The Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs
(Shri. E. Ahamed)

(a)    & (b) Government has seen media reports regarding increase in the size of Pakistan’s Nuclear arsenal, Government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on India’s national interest and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it.

(b)   And (d) Government of India has consistently conveyed its concern to the United States about the adverse impact of its assistance, essentially military aid, to Pakistan. The US has conveyed that it is taking steps to ensure that its assistance to Pakistan is used for the stated purpose of economic development and counter insurgency and is not utilized for any other purpose or directed against any country, including India. In this context, the United States Congress passed the Enhanced Partnership with Pakistan Act, which stipulates the purposes and conditions for US economic and security assistance to Pakistan.  These conditions, inter alla, require  Pakistan to close terrorist camps, including those of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jais-e-Muhammed; cease all support to extremist and terrorist groups; and, prevent attacks into neighbouring countries.