On the UN Floor: A Chat About Kashmir and Nukes
"Pakistan Urges Against Nuclear Action at UN, Conveying Concerns over Pahalgam Response"
In a recent UN meeting, Pakistan's UN rep, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, chatted about Kashmir and nuclear weapons with reporters. Here's the lowdown, spiced up with some insights.
"So, is Kashmir a ticking time bomb?" a reporter asked. Ahmad shrugged off the label, insisting, "Pakistan's responsible, you get me? I reckon India's the same. We ain't supposed to be pandering to a dire nuclear scenario, alright?"
He didn't deny Pakistan's stance on the no-first-use nuclear policy. When probed, he commented, "Well, it's all out in the open. Pakistan's policy on nukes and such matters is crystal clear."
But dig a little deeper, and Pakistan's stance is a tad different from India's. India adopted a no-first-use policy, promising nukes would be used only in response to an attack on territory or forces. However, Pakistan says, "No can do." As a result, Islamabad can use nukes first if it feels threatened, be it by a nuclear or conventional attack.
Meanwhile, the situation on the western border with Afghanistan and the Balochistan conflict? No sweat, says Ahmad. "Ain't gonna impact our readiness to handle any India-related brouhaha on the Kashmir Line of Control."
As for the border clashes and allegations of harboring terrorists, Ahmad kept it casual. "We're just dealing with some border bickering and law enforcement matters. Nothing to worry about."
Reports of aerial dogfights? "Nah, just some drones and podcopters," he quipped. But, if things get worse, Ahmad warns, "Kinetic action could become a possibility."
Insights:
- Pakistan still sticks to its guns, refusing to embrace a no-first-use policy. This means Islamabad can consider nuking first if it feels threatened, be it by a nuclear or conventional attack.
- India, on the other hand, has vowed not to be the first to use nukes, sticking to a retaliatory stance. However, there's debate over potentially modifying this policy.
- Pakistan and Afghanistan's tense border situation and Pakistan's ongoing internal conflicts don't seem to bother Pakistan when it comes to Kashmir's potential clashes with India.
- In the context of the Kashmir issue, Pakistan's UN representative, Asim Iftikhar Ahmad, emphasized that while the country adheres to a non-nuclear first use policy, it reserves the right to respond with nuclear force if threatened, be it by nuclear or conventional means.
- The situation on Pakistan's western border with Afghanistan and its internal conflicts in Balochistan, according to Ahmad, will not hinder its readiness to deal with any India-related disputes over Kashmir.
- When questioned about border skirmishes and allegations of supporting terrorism, Ahmad downplayed the situation, stating that these are primarily law enforcement matters and not cause for concern.
- Despite denying any aerial combat incidents, Ahmad warned that if the situation worsens, "kinetic action" or military action, could become a necessity in the complex web of war-and-conflicts, politics, and counterterrorism associated with the region.
