The Pentagon on Friday said China is attempting to increase its nuclear capabilities to match the defence strength of India, the United States, and Russia. The Pentagon made the claim in a report to the US Congress. It claimed China had recently added control, communications and command facets to its nuclear capabilities, PTI reported.
The report added that China has defended its new missiles and warheads as a mechanism against the growth of the US and Russia’s defence mechanisms. On India, the report says, “Similarly, India's nuclear force is additional driver behind China's nuclear force modernisation.”
The report warned that China's nuclear arsenal is not only strong enough to withstand an attack, but could also "respond with sufficient strength to inflict unacceptable damage on an enemy."
In a related development, the United States refuted reports claiming China and Pakistan's opposition against India's bid to be a part of the elite Nuclear Suppliers Group, reported dna. "I'd point you back to what the president said during his visit to India in 2015, where he reaffirmed that the US view was that India meets missile technology control regime requirements and is ready for NSG membership," State Department Spokesman John Kirby said.
The NSG is an international group, comprising 48 countries, that work together to monitor and control the export of materials or technology that can be used for nuclear weapons. The group was created to help contain proliferation of nuclear power.
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