In the shadow of the long-standing rivalry between Pakistan and India, Pakistani Minister for Defense Production Rana Tanveer Hussain has stated that the country has advanced nuclear and missile technology that can “target every city in India.”
He was responding to Indian General Bipin Rawat, who had spoken to reporters in New Delhi on Friday, and threatened Pakistan by saying that Indian forces would cross the border and confront the Pakistani’s if they had to.
"We will call their bluff. If we really have to confront the Pakistanis, if given the task, we will not say we cannot cross the border because they have nuclear weapons," Rawat said.
Tanveer also went on to say that the Indian general’s statements were irresponsible, threatening and that they would be taken seriously.
He added that Pakistan’s defense production was increasing to the point that 80 percent of the army’s needs could be met domestically and said that it was among the six or seven countries that could produce their own military aircraft.
Indian Army Chief General Bipin Rawat’s statements saying that India was ready to call Pakistan’s "nuclear bluff," also drew strong condemnation from Foreign Minister Khawaja Asif, who branded it irresponsible and not befitting Rawat’s office.
“Very irresponsible statement by Indian Army Chief, not befitting his office. Amounts to invitation for nuclear encounter. If that is what they desire, they are welcome to test our resolve. The general's doubt would swiftly be removed, inshallah,” he said in a Twitter post.
In Monday’s border clashes in Kashmir, four Pakistani soldiers were killed in shelling by Indian forces.
In consequence of the recent developments, Pakistan summoned India's deputy high commissioner in Islamabad.
India and Pakistan share more than 950 kilometers (590 miles) of border in disputed Kashmir.
