New Delhi, June 19: A fresh report released by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) highlights the fact that Pakistan remains ahead of India when it comes to nuclear warheads. While Islamabad has expanded its nuclear arsenal to 140-150 warheads, New Delhi trails behind with 130-140.

China, on the other hand, is miles ahead with 280 nukes. The Asian region, however, cannot match the nuclear arsenal of the first-world nations, as Russia leads the pack with 6,850 warheads, followed by the US with 6,450. The study finds a total of 14,465 nuclear weapons developed around the globe.

Is This a Wake-up Call For India?

Defence expert Major Gen (retd) GD Bakshi, while speaking to LatestLY, said New Delhi should consider the findings of the report seriously as "Pakistan has continued to maintain" more number of nukes as compared to India.

But, Gen Bakshi adds, "the Indian stockpile of nuclear weapons is capable of causing more damage".

"Although Pakistan may be ahead of us, the fact remains that they are only a fraction of our size. If they will fire their 140-odd nuclear weapons, damage will be inflicted upon us. But when we retaliate, Pakistan will cease to exist."

Gen Bakshi, however, says the threat posed by China is more challenging as compared to Pakistan.

'At Least 300 Nukes Required'

To counter the threat from an aggressive Beijing, New Delhi needs to increase its nuclear strength, claims Gen GD Bakshi.

"And what if the two (China and Pakistan) gang-up and launch a two-front war? To defend ourselves, we need at least 300 nuclear weapons," the retired military official added.

SIPRI Report Findings in a Nutshell:

Country Deployed Warheads* Other warheads** Total 2018 Total 2017
USA 1 750 4 700 6 450 6 800
Russia 1 600 5 250 6 850 7 000
UK 120 95 215 215
France 280 20 300 300
China 280 280 270
India 130-140 130-140 120-130
Pakistan 140-150 140-150 130-140
Israel 80 80 80
North Korea .. .. (10-20) (10-20)
Total 3 750 10 715 14 465 14 935

‘Deployed warheads’ refers to warheads placed on missiles or located on bases with operational forces. ‘Other warheads’ refers to stored or reserve warheads and retired warheads awaiting dismantlement.

On the nukes of Islamabad and New Delhi, the SIPRI report states: "India and Pakistan are both expanding their nuclear weapon stockpiles as well as developing new land-, sea- and air-based missile delivery systems. China continues to modernize its nuclear weapon delivery systems and is slowly increasing the size of its nuclear arsenal."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 19, 2018 05:40 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).