Jammu, J&K | April 29: Amid a flurry of high-level defence consultations led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Defence Minister, National Security Advisor, Chief of Defence Staff, and the three service chiefs, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) chief Farooq Abdullah has extended his full support to the central government.
“We have extended our complete support to the Prime Minister,” Abdullah said, emphasizing unity in the face of emerging national security concerns. “The PM should do whatever has to be done.”
Responding to reports of a nuclear threat from Pakistan, Abdullah, a former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, reiterated India’s long-standing nuclear doctrine of no first use. “We too have nuclear power. When I visited Pokhran with Vajpayee ji, we had said that we would never use it unless someone attacked us first,” he said. “India never attacked anyone first. We have always retaliated. Today, too, we won’t use it. If they (Pakistan) want to use it, we too have the power. But it should not happen.”
The remarks come at a time of heightened alert across defence and diplomatic circles, with the government closely monitoring regional developments.
