INS-Arihant no security threat to Pak, admits Naval Chief
July 29th, 2009 - 3:33 pm ICT by ANIBeijing, July 29 (ANI): The Pakistan Navy does not consider India’s launch of its first indigenously-made nuclear submarine as a major security threat to it, The News reports.
Pakistan Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Bashir Noman said the launch of India’s first indigenously made nuclear-powered submarine INS-Arihant is not a major concern for the country’s naval force.
Admiral Bashir, who is currently in China to witness the commissioning of the first China-made frigate for Pakistan, said Islamabad and New Delhi must maintain a good relationship.
“We are not focused on India. India is a neighbor, so we must have good relationship,” said Bashir.
He said Pakistan Navy’s prime objective is to combat terrorism, piracy, and other illegal uses of the sea such as drug trafficking, and protecting the sea lines of communication in the Indian Ocean.
Bashir’s remarks come a day after the Pakistan Foreign Office raised concerns over INS-Arihant’s launch.The Pakistan Foreign Office said such a step would destabilise the region and would have a detrimental effect on regional peace.
“Continued induction of new lethal weapon systems by India is detrimental to regional peace and stability,” Foreign Office spokesman Abdul Basit said.
Basit said Pakistan would take all measures to ensure strategic balance in the region.
“Without entering into an arms race with India, Pakistan will take all appropriate steps to safeguard its security and maintain strategic balance in South Asia,” Basit added. (ANI)
- Induction of nuclear-submarine by India is detrimental to regional peace: Pak FO - Jul 28, 2009
- Sea trials soon of India's indigenous n-submarine - Dec 02, 2011
- Indian Navy inducts n-powered attack submarine - Apr 04, 2012
- India's n-submarine Arihant to be commissioned 2012 (Lead) - Dec 02, 2010
- Indian Navy in fast forward mode (With Image) - May 16, 2012
- Nuke-powered submarine to boost India's underwater warfare capability - Apr 03, 2012
- India's nuke submarine affects security balance in Arabian Sea: Pak Navy Chief - Jul 29, 2009
- Leased Russian N-submarine to reach India by month-end - Mar 14, 2012
- Russian submarine to reach Indian shores mid-March - Feb 28, 2012
- Russian n-sub for Indian Navy coming soon: Envoy - Dec 07, 2011
- Leased Russian n-submarine to set sail for India this month end - Dec 15, 2011
- Pakistan Navy committed to global peace: Gilani - Oct 07, 2011
- INS-Arihant does not pose a 'dangerous new threat': Pak editorial - Jul 29, 2009
- France transferring submarine technology to India - Jan 09, 2011
- PM says all necessary steps would be taken to safeguard national security - Jul 26, 2009
Tags: bashir, detrimental effect, drug trafficking, foreign office, frigate, good relationship, india india, india pakistan, lethal weapon, major security threat, naval staff, noman, nuclear submarine, office spokesman, pakistan navy, peace and stability, prime objective, regional peace, sea lines, weapon systems