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India Today
12-08-2025
- Business
- India Today
Michael Kugelman backs India's tough stance amid US tariff and Pakistan threat
India's firm stance after sharp comments from abroad is an important signal that it 'won't be intimidated,' says Washington DC-based South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman.'India had to respond given how strong the comments were,' Kugelman told ANI. 'Their response is the same message we heard from PM Modi in his speech soon after the conflict ended. It is important for India to put out its position that it won't be intimidated.'#WATCH | Washington DC, USA | On 50% tariff imposed by the US on India, Washington DC-based South Asia analyst, Michael Kugelman says, "Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam are competitors of India in textile exports and since they face lower tariffs as compared to India, India could be ANI (@ANI) August 11, 2025advertisementOn the US decision to impose a 50% tariff on Indian goods, Kugelman warned of competitive pressures in textile exports. 'Bangladesh, Pakistan, Vietnam are competitors of India Since they face lower tariffs compared to India, India could be disadvantaged if it does not adjust,' he said. Kugelman noted that India is likely exploring ways around the tariffs. 'It will be significant for New Delhi to step up and conclude new trade deals with other key export destinations such as the EU, and we know that there have been talks between the two recently,' he deals, he added, could 'reduce the potential danger the tariffs could pose' by giving Indian exporters better access to other high-value Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir's reported nuclear threat, Kugelman said the remarks were made at a private, off-the-record event.'Since Operation Sindoor, Pakistan's position has been that it supports peace and that India is the aggressor,' Kugelman said. 'These comments cut against that narrative. They also show how concerned Pakistan's leadership is about India's decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance, which is a non-military but punitive step.'Kugelman added that Munir's words appear to reaffirm Pakistan's long-standing rejection of a No First Use policy on nuclear weapons.'Based on what the army chief seemed to suggest about Pakistan's threat to use nuclear weapons if it has to, it reasserts Pakistan's position of rejecting a No First Use Policy,' he remarks follow Munir's comments in Florida, where the army chief reportedly warned that Pakistan could use nuclear weapons to take down India and 'half the world' in an existential conflict.'It reflects how concerned Pakistanis are, including the very top, about India's decision to hold the Indus Water Treaty in abeyance,' he said.'Based on what the army chief seemed to suggest it seems to reassert Pakistan's long-time position of rejecting a No First Use Policy when it comes to nuclear weapons,' Kugelman added. His remarks follow Munir's comments in Florida, where the army chief reportedly warned that Pakistan could use nuclear weapons to take down India and 'half the world' in an existential conflict.- EndsWith inputs from ANI
India.com
28-04-2025
- Politics
- India.com
India's 'no first use' policy vs Pakistan's 'full spectrum deterrence', what is this policy which makes Pakistan dangerous?
New Delhi: Currently, many countries around the world are grappling with war, and a similar situation seems to be developing between India and Pakistan. Speculations are that after the Pahalgam terrorist attack, India will not remain silent, and if actions are taken, Pakistan will not simply give up without a fight. The most alarming aspect is that Pakistan also has nuclear power and has not signed the No First Use (NFU) policy. India's policy is No First Use (NFU). This is an official declaration under which a country promises that it will not use nuclear weapons against an enemy first, but will only retaliate. On the other hand, Pakistan does not follow such a policy. In fact, it often boasts about its weapons. Instead of NFU, Pakistan has adopted the right of full-spectrum deterrence. If it is attacked, it can decide whether the response will be at the same level of attack or if a nuclear strike could occur. This means that in response to a marginal attack, it has the option to drop a nuclear bomb on the enemy or initiate biological warfare. Who controls the nuclear arsenal in Islamabad? The control of nuclear weapons in any country is kept highly confidential. In Islamabad, this falls under highly classified information as well. However, it is believed that the control of nuclear weapons is in the hands of the National Command Authority (NCA), led by the Prime Minister. The NCA was established in the year 2000 to monitor the growing nuclear stockpile in Pakistan. Besides the Prime Minister, the NCA includes the President, the Home Minister, the Defense Minister, and the commanders of the Army, Navy, and Air Force. In the event of war, all these individuals can come together to reach a decision, but the final approval will come from the Prime Minister and the President. The responsibility for the launch of nuclear weapons will lie with the military. Pakistan's leading scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan, who is also called the father of Pakistan's nuclear weapons, was not obligated to answer anyone. As a result, the scientists started making mistakes. Khan himself admitted that he had transferred a lot of technology to other countries without governmental approval. Later, the Pakistani government resolved all these issues and gained control over it, while the army retained the remote for launching. Which of the two has how many weapons? According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute's (SIPRI) report for the year 2024, India has 172 weapons, while Pakistan has 170. India is focusing more on long-range weapons, including those capable of reaching China. On the other hand, Pakistan's major focus is on India. In a country where there is so much leeway regarding nuclear weapons, and which has not even agreed to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, can a nuclear attack be launched at any time? There is not much specific information about Pakistan's safety procedures. According to the report, explosives are kept separate from non-nuclear components to prevent any misuse. After the September 11 attacks, several questions arose regarding Pakistan. The government there had given this response to the UN General Assembly. International approval is not required for the use of nuclear weapons. If a country wishes to, it wouldn't need to speak or seek approval on a larger platform. However, this is an extreme step, and there are many agreements in place to control it. For example, the UN Charter states that a nuclear attack disrupts peace and can incite other countries to war. To prevent such actions, several rules have been established in the Charter. Under the Geneva Conventions, nuclear attacks on non-military areas and civilians are prohibited.
