India possesses more nuclear weapons than Pakistan, while China has significantly increased its nuclear arsenal, expanding from 410 warheads in January 2023 to 500 by January 2024, according to a report by the Swedish think-tank Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI).
In the context of a world that has seen two wars in the past two years, SIPRI's analysis reveals that nine nuclear-armed nations, including India, Pakistan, and China, have been actively modernizing their nuclear arsenals. The other nations highlighted in the report are the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, North Korea, and Israel.
The report emphasizes that Russia and the US together hold 90 per cent of the world's nuclear weapons, with several countries having deployed new nuclear-capable weapon systems in 2023.
It was noted that around 2,100 nuclear warheads, predominantly those of the US and Russia, are maintained in a state of high operational alert on ballistic missiles. For the first time, the report also suggests that China may have kept some of its warheads on high operational alert.
INDIA'S NUCLEAR ARSENAL
According to the SIPRI report, India has 172 "stored" nuclear warheads as of January 2024, surpassing Pakistan by two warheads. The report indicates that India marginally expanded its nuclear arsenal in 2023, continuing to develop new nuclear delivery systems alongside Pakistan.
"While Pakistan remains the main focus of India's nuclear deterrent, India appears to be placing growing emphasis on longer-range weapons, including those capable of reaching targets throughout China," the report states.
The Swedish think-tank also observed that India, Pakistan, and North Korea are following the example of Russia and the US by deploying multiple warheads on ballistic missiles.
Regarding China's nuclear capabilities, Hans Kristensen of SIPRI noted that China is expanding its nuclear arsenal at a faster rate than any other country.
"But in nearly all the nuclear-armed states there are either plans or a significant push to increase nuclear forces," Kristensen remarked, as quoted by PTI.
