Experts hail N-tests

8220;Pakistan has already declared that it has nuclear weapons. We have also read reports that the it had already deployed the Ghauri missile,8221; he observed, adding that if necessary and if driven to the brink, one would consider using it.

The former Air Chief Marshal was of the opinion that there was a lot of truth in the recent statements made by Defence Minister George Fernandes against China 8220;as India has been appeasing China since the days of Jawaharlal Nehru.8221;

8220;We gave up Tibet without any kind of argument and without getting anything in return,8221; he said and pointed out that thereafter China has been backing Nagas and Mizos. Last but not the least, China has been supplying Pakistan, he asserted explaining that whenever India had made any advances either in military hardware or nuclear field, China promptly neutralised this by giving something to Pakistan.

Lt Gen Eric Vas Retd who called this a 8220;good thing8221; believed that the tests may been planned at least a year back and has now been executed with great skill, finesse and secrecy. He also saw the apparent outburst by the Defence Minister as 8220;carefully orchestrated8221; comments. While expressing the hope that India would not intend to create nuclear weapons, he made it clear that it would not be stupid not to have the 8220;capability.8221;

8220;I may not be a violent animal but I am not a damned fool,8221; he said.Maj Gen V K Madhok Retd shared similar sentiments as his counterparts terming it as a step which was long overdue.

8220;The previous government has been afraid of China and United States of America especially since the latter happens to be largest purchaser of Indian exports and there has been a fear that the US may impose sanctions,8221; he explained.

The main threat to India, according to Maj Gen Madhok, was from China. Supporting the statements by the Defence Minister, he felt that India should now devise a policy which reinforced the nation8217;s morale which has hit an all time low. 8220;It is wonderful that India is now gearing to stand upto China and America. From now it appears that India will take initiative giving the message that we will do what we like,8221; he said.

Coordinator of the Indian Initiative for Peace Arms Control and Disarmament Col Anil Athaley Retd has been pressing for this kind of measures for the last three years that India must demonstrate her capability of thermo-nuclear explosions.

8220;It is only after this we can consider a ban on nuclear testing especially since other countries have already conducted tests before the CTBT,8221; he said, adding that India could now join the rest of the world and accept a comprehensive test ban treaty. 8220;We could also continue future development at the laboratory level,8221; he suggested, pointing out that India had now achieved a goal where no country could really threaten her militarily or covertly.

Terming it as a historic and much needed step, Col Athaley believed that experts could now actually reduce defence expenditure because of strategic threat which is taken care of by the nuclear dimension. Thermo-nuclear weapons, according to him, were great equalisers of the 20th century. Since we have no aggressive designs, we have established a clear-cut equation in Asia with China, he said.