New Delhi
April 8, 2006 

Our attention has been drawn to a speech by the visiting US Assistant Secretary for South and Central Asian Affairs, Richard Boucher, who is quoted as stating that "we have pushed for India to further define its 'minimum credible deterrent'."

Credible minimum deterrent is a self-explanatory term that requires no further elucidation. It reflects our response to a dynamic and changing security environment. We note that at a recent US Congressional hearing, US Secretary of State Rice herself noted that the Indian strategic programme is more a factor of the military and political factors which India confronts.