Uhhh... WWIII anyone?
India issues veiled nuclear threat to Pakistan with hint it could abandon 'no first use' policyThe comment by Rajnath Singh introduces a level of ambiguity to a core national security doctrine, analysts said.
It comes amid tensions between the two countries which have increased following India's move to revoke autonomy in the disputed region of Kashmir, the cause of two of their three wars.
On Thursday, Pakistan's army said three of its soldiers were killed in cross-border shelling by India, and that five Indian soldiers were also killed. Delhi confirmed the exchanges of fire, but denied the deaths of its soldiers.
In February, Indian and Pakistani fighter jets clashed over the Kashmir region.
In a visit to Pokhran in western India, defence minister Rajnath Singh paid tribute to late former prime minister and revered leader of the ruling Hindu nationalists, Atal Behari Vajpayee, for making India into a nuclear power.
"Pokhran is the area which witnessed Atal Ji's firm resolve to make India a nuclear power and yet remain firmly committed to the doctrine of 'no first use'," he said.
"India has strictly adhered to this doctrine. What happens in future depends on the circumstances."