As tensions between India and Pakistan reach a boiling point, the threat of a full-scale war looms large. Pakistan’s reaction to India’s Operation Sindoor has been one of fury, with experts, leaders, and ministers repeatedly warning of nuclear retaliation. In a recent interview with ANI, retired Lieutenant General KJS Dhillon made it clear that if Pakistan ever resorted to using nuclear weapons against India, it would cease to exist as a nation.
Pakistan Lacks Strategic Depth to Withstand India’s Retaliation
Lieutenant General Dhillon emphasized that Pakistan lacks the strategic depth to absorb or respond to a large-scale attack from India. “They do not have the ability to withstand a counterattack,” he said. Pakistan’s attempts to threaten India with nuclear weapons, according to Dhillon, would lead to Pakistan’s annihilation due to India’s superior strategic depth and nuclear deterrence capabilities.
India’s Nuclear Policy: “No First Use” But Firm Retaliation if Provoked
India, under its “No First Use” nuclear policy, has pledged not to initiate a nuclear strike against any non-nuclear state. However, if provoked, India has made it clear that it will respond with a devastating retaliatory strike. “If a nuclear attack occurs, we will respond with unacceptable damage,” Dhillon stated. He also emphasized that India would act preemptively if there was credible intelligence indicating a Pakistani nuclear strike.
Pakistan’s Nuclear Threats and India’s Strategic Advantage
Recent statements from Pakistani leaders, including Defence Minister Khawaja Asif, have escalated concerns of a potential nuclear conflict between the two nations. Asif warned that tensions could spiral into nuclear war if India continued its aggressive military actions in the region. Lieutenant General Dhillon, however, reassured that India’s strategic advantage, both in terms of landmass and military capacity, ensures it can withstand any attack, while Pakistan would be left devastated if it chose to escalate matters further.
Geographical Disparity: India’s Size and Strategic Depth are Key to its Defence
Dhillon pointed out the vast geographical disparity between India and Pakistan. “While Pakistan stretches from the north-east to the south-east, its strategic depth is extremely limited. Major cities are concentrated in a narrow strip of land. On the other hand, India’s territory extends from Gujarat in the west to Arunachal Pradesh in the east, providing far greater strategic depth,” he explained. This geographical advantage, according to Dhillon, would make it difficult for Pakistan to sustain any offensive, while India’s large landmass ensures it can absorb significant damage but still retaliate with devastating force.
Preemptive Measures: India Will Not Wait for Attack, Will Act if Threatened
While India has a “No First Use” policy, Dhillon clarified that this does not mean India will wait for an attack before responding. “If our agencies determine that Pakistan is preparing to launch a nuclear strike, we will take immediate action to prevent it from happening,” he said, reinforcing India’s commitment to its security.
Pakistan’s Defence Minister Warns of Nuclear Escalation After Operation Sindoor
The rising tensions between India and Pakistan reached a critical point after India’s Operation Sindoor, which targeted terror infrastructures in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Asif warned that the situation could escalate into nuclear war if India continued its military campaign. “If they (India) escalate to full-scale war and create a situation where there is a stalemate, any time a nuclear conflict could begin,” Asif remarked.
As both nations continue to raise the stakes, the risk of a nuclear confrontation remains a significant concern for the international community.
