ROME, June 5: Pakistan reserves the right to use nuclear weapons against India in an extreme case, a top Pakistani military envoy told an Italian newspaper in an interview published on Wednesday.

The Indian army and air force outnumbers Pakistani forces five to one, and “in an emergency, it is our survival that could be placed in jeopardy,” Gen Jehangir Karamat told the daily La Stampa.

He said atomic weapons were a deterrent, and “our position is not to use them because it would be irresponsible, but rather to be ready” in an extreme eventuality.

The general, who has been in Italy since Sunday on a diplomatic mission to explain Pakistan’s position in the escalating conflict with its nuclear-capable neighbour India over disputed Kashmir, also plans to travel to France, Spain and Denmark.

“Tension has never been so high. It is even higher than that which set off the three wars” Pakistan has fought with India over Kashmir since both countries became independent in 1947, he said.

Karamat accused India of taking the steps leading towards an armed conflict, in particular a mass mobilization and the call-up of reserve troops, but also said he was “personally relatively optimistic” on the chances for a resolution.

“The danger is extremely concrete, and for that reason, the role of international diplomacy is decisive.”—AFP