Q.*437 Production of nuclear weapon by Pakistan

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether Government has taken notice of the report of American Nuclear Monitoring Institute, ‘The Institute for Science and International Security,’ according to which the entire assembly line of cooling towers in Pakistan’s Khushab third reactor is ready whereby Pakistan would step up plutonium production for manufacturing nuclear weapons;
(b) whether it is a fact that Pakistan has 70 to 90 nuclear weapons;
(c) whether it is also a fact that all the defence preparedness of Pakistan could be used against India; and
(d) if so, the action being taken by Government in this regard?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S.M. KRISHNA)

(a) to (d) The Government have seen recent report of the Institute for Science and International Security, Washington DC regarding construction of third heavy water reactor at Khushab nuclear site in Pakistan. Government continuously monitors developments having a bearing on national security and takes all necessary steps to safeguard India’s security.
http://www.mea.gov.in/mystart.php?id=220116864.

Rajya Sabha