N-command system being formed: India

Published August 10, 2002

NEW DELHI, Aug 9: India said on Friday it was working on setting up a command and control system for its nuclear arms.

“Command and control is a process that is on at the moment,” Defence Minister George Fernandes said.

“A nuclear doctrine is in place, we look at it (nuclear weapons) as purely a deterrent,” he said, speaking at a book party.

In April, the government approved plans for a command structure to be headed by an air force officer with the nuclear button in the hands of the prime minister.—Reuters