Pak newspaper editorial voices concern over Indian nuke submarine

Islamabad, July 28 (ANI): An editorial published in a newspaper in Pakistan has predictably reacted with concern to India announcing the launch of its first indigenously built nuclear submarine - the INS Arihant.

In its editorial, The Nation says that South Asia, being one of the poorest in the world, can ill afford an arms race. It further goes on to say that the huge amount of money spent (Rs.30, 000 crore) on this nuclear submarine programme "constitutes a disservice to the poor in India and Pakistan."

It confirms that Pakistan is worried by this development in its immediate neighborhood, notwithstanding Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's assurances that New Delhi has no aggressive designs.

The editorial scathingly says that India's "craving for modern weapons makes a mockery of the concept of an arms balance in the region."

It believes that by having a nuclear submarine at its disposal, India has strengthened its strategic position in the Indian Ocean. The fact that New Delhi has upped its defence budget by 33 percent over figures presented during fiscal 2008-09 displays uncalled for strength. (ANI)