(a) Whether Pakistan is allegedly in the process of building a 1000 MW
reactor designed to increase its plutonium production twentyfold as
reported in The Hindustan Times dated July 25, 2006;
(b) If so, the facts thereof;
(c) Whether this is likely to result in a nuclear arms race in the region; and
(d)If so, the details thereof and the reaction of the Union Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI E. AHAMED)
(a) – (b) Government is aware of the report. Pakistan Foreign Office Spokesperson,
on 24 July 2006, said that Pakistan is a nuclear weapons state and the details of Pakistan`s
nuclear facilities and programme cannot be divulged. The Spokesperson added that
Khushab is a well-known nuclear site.
(c) - (d) India is not engaged in an arms race. Government regularly monitors
proliferation trends in the neighbourhood. Government remains fully vigilant and
takes all necessary steps to safeguard India’s security and national interests.