Assam CM Criticizes Congress for Inaction on Pakistan's Nuclear Development

Allegations Against Congress Regarding Nuclear Policy

On Saturday, Himanta Biswa Sarma, the Chief Minister of Assam, accused the Congress party of allowing Pakistan to become a nuclear power during the 1980s, labeling it a 'historic mistake.'

Sarma asserted that Pakistan has been utilizing a 'nuclear threat' to deter international intervention.

In a post on social media platform 'X', he remarked, 'At a time when various nations are decisively working to neutralize nuclear threats, India's tragic inaction during the 1980s serves as a cautionary tale of what could have been and what did not happen.'

He expressed that this was akin to 'missing an opportunity,' as the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) possessed credible intelligence confirming uranium enrichment activities at the Kahuta facility in Pakistan.

In a post titled 'Congress's Historic Mistake: How India Allowed Pakistan to Become a Nuclear Power,' Sarma claimed that Israel had offered actionable intelligence and assistance for a joint attack.

He noted that the Jamnagar Air Force base was selected as a potential 'launch pad,' and the Indian military was fully prepared for airstrikes on Kahuta.

The Chief Minister alleged, 'India had the capability and consensus to eliminate the threat before it materialized. Yet, at the last moment, Indira Gandhi hesitated due to fears of international repercussions.'

Sarma further claimed that Rajiv Gandhi postponed the plan, prioritizing diplomacy under foreign pressure. He pointed out that this led to Rajiv Gandhi signing a nuclear agreement with then Prime Minister Benazir Bhutto of Pakistan in 1988, which promised mutual restraint from attacking each other's nuclear facilities.