Defense Minister Offers Hawkish 'Personal' Views on India’s Nuclear Doctrine

New Delhi (Sputnik) — Indian Defense Minister Manohar Parrikar 'personally' feels India’s NFU doctrine should not be written in stone. If the situation demands, India should be preemptive in its use of nuclear weapons.

“If there is a written down strategy or you take a stand on a nuclear aspect, I think you’re actually giving away your strength. People say India has NFU concept. I should say that I am a responsible nuclear power and I will not use it irresponsibly,” Parrikar said during a book launch function here.

“Being unpredictable is part of strategy. But we follow whatever is written in a book. But if the country is in danger, I will not open the book first,” Parrikar said.

​Parrikar’s views come at a time when India is trying to convince China and New Zealand about its pacifist intentions in order to win their support for membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.