The United States has strongly objected to threats of nuclear warfare made by Pakistan against India, especially after Indian Army’s surgical strikes in PoK.
A senior State Department official today said that Washington has conveyed its displeasure to the country in this regard.
“We made that (American objection on nuclear threat) clear to them (Pakistan). Repeatedly," the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.
"It is very concerning. It is a serious thing," the official said when asked about Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif's assertions, twice in the last 15 days, that his country could use nuclear weapons against India.
The official, however, said that he will not be able to reveal the level at which the message was conveyed to Pakistan.
Pakistan Defence Minister had twice threatened to ‘destroy India if it dares to impose war on Islamabad’.
“Pakistan army is fully prepared to answer any misadventure of India. We have not made atomic device to display in a showcase. If a such a situation arises we will use it (nuclear weapons) and eliminate India,” Asif had told a Pakistani news channel in his latest interview.
The statements raised eyebrows in the Obama Administration and is seen as "irresponsible" behaviour by top Pakistani leadership.
In a tacit acknowledgement that it has concerns over the safety of nuclear weapons in Pakistan, the official said the US is closely monitoring the safety and security of those weapons of mass destruction.
"The safety of these weapons is always a concern for us. So we are always monitoring it, regardless of what they said on this particular occasion," said the State Department official.
Meanwhile, Deputy State Department Spokesman Mark Toner told reporters at his daily news conference that nuclear-capable states have "a very clear responsibility to exercise restraint regarding nuclear weapons and missile capabilities".
Tension between India and Pakistan are on all time high after four terrorists had stormed an Army camp in Uri on September 18 and killed 19 soldiers.
With PTI Inputs
