'No-first-use' is cornerstone of India's nuclear policy: Former J&K CM Omar reacts to Parrikar

Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that the “no-first-use” of nuclear weapons has been the cornerstone of the country’s nuclear policy which has allowed it to lay claim to being a responsible power.

“No first use has been the corner stone of our nuclear policy & allowed India to lay claim to being a responsible power after Pokhran 2,” Omar wrote on Twitter.

He was reacting to the Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar’s remarks in New Delhi that why India cannot say “we are a responsible nuclear power and I will not use it irresponsibly” instead of affirming a “no first use policy”.

 Also read | Why bind ourselves to 'no first use policy', says Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on India's nuclear doctrine

“Why should I bind myself? I should say I am a responsible nuclear power and I will not use it irresponsibly. This is my (personal) thinking,” Parrikar said replying to a question as he explained the need to be unpredictable in warfare strategy.

No first use has been the corner stone of our nuclear policy & allowed India to lay claim to being a responsible power after Pokhran 2. https://t.co/Z1PFadNqE1

— Omar Abdullah (@abdullah_omar) November 10, 2016