Islamabad, July 28: Pakistan hit out at India on Tuesday, branding its first nuclear-powered submarine “detrimental” to regional peace and vowing to take “appropriate steps” to maintain a “strategic balance”.
“Continued induction of new lethal weapon systems by India is detrimental to regional peace and stability,” the foreign ministry said.
Arch-rival India on Sunday launched the first of five planned submarines by naming the 6,000-tonne INS Arihant (Destroyer of Enemies), powered by an 85-megawatt nuclear reactor that can reach 44 kilometres an hour (24 knots).
The submarine will be armed with torpedoes and ballistic missiles, and carry a crew of 95, according to Indian defence officials.
“Pakistan believes that maintenance of strategic balance is essential for peace and security in south Asia,” the foreign ministry said.
“Without entering into an arms race with India, Pakistan will take all appropriate steps to safeguard its security and maintain strategic balance.”
India is part of an exclusive group of nations, including Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, which own nuclear-powered submarines.
The vessel will undergo two years of sea trials in the Bay of Bengal before being commissioned for full service.
India conducted its first nuclear weapons tests in 1974. Pakistan then launched its own atomic weapons drive and tested its first devices in 1998.
–Agencies