India, surrounded by neighbors like Pakistan, known for spreading terrorism worldwide, and China, infamous for encroaching on other countries’ land, has further strengthened its defense capabilities. Recently, the Indian Navy inducted INS Arighat, a nuclear-capable ballistic missile submarine, enhancing the country’s nuclear strength. The inclusion of INS Arighat has drawn reactions from Pakistani and Chinese experts, who acknowledged India’s growing power. Additionally, a Pakistani expert even praised Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh.
Pakistani defense expert Qamar Cheema discussed INS Arighat on his YouTube channel, stating that India now possesses the capability to launch nuclear strikes from land, sea, and air. However, he noted that this power was not new to India. The inclusion of INS Arighat indicates that India is heavily investing in its navy. He mentioned that Indian Defense Minister Rajnath Singh visited the Naval Surface Warfare Center in the United States and observed everything there. Cheema acknowledged India’s strength, saying, “The defense minister was present at the submarine’s induction ceremony. Although it was a significant event, where even the Prime Minister could have attended, his absence indicates the defense minister’s authority and that the Prime Minister will not attend just for a nuclear submarine.”
However, Cheema also claimed that INS Arighat’s inclusion does not pose any threat to Pakistan. He stated that India was already a nuclear power, so there’s no need for Pakistan to worry. He added that Pakistan would recognize that the nuclear submarine is not new, but India has certainly bolstered its defense. The advantage of this defense submarine is that it does not need to return to refuel with diesel, as it has an internal power plant that allows it to operate independently.
Chinese Expert’s Response to the Submarine Induction
China’s state-run Global Times also published an article on INS Arighat, with the headline suggesting that India should use its second nuclear missile submarine responsibly. This headline clearly reflects China’s concerns about Arighat. According to Global Times defense journalist Liu Zhenjun, a military expert based in Beijing, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, stated that with more nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines, India’s nuclear deterrence has increased. However, this also comes with the responsibility to use them wisely. The expert emphasized that as long as nuclear weapons exist, they should be used to protect peace and stability, not to showcase power or engage in nuclear blackmail.