THIS time around, the Indian Army Chief General Deepak Kapoor has asked the world to force Pakistan to restrict its nuclear capabilities. He has levelled the charge that Pakistan is increasing its nuclear stockpile. Statements of the sort will create tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours and point to the newly elected Congress government's continued posture of aggression and distrust towards Pakistan. It is mere wishful thinking on part of New Delhi that it would be able to exercise its hegemony over Pakistan by curbing its nuclear capability. On Friday, Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani categorically stated that Pakistan would retain nuclear deterrence at all costs. The rest of the political leadership is fully aware of the arsenal's vital importance in the defence of the country as well. For some time past, a sinister international campaign seeking to cap Pakistan's nuclear programme has been going on. Reports in US media indicating the threat to Pakistan's nukes from the militants are rife. On the other hand, Chairman of US Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen told members of the Senate a few days back that Pakistan was adding to its nuclear capability. It seems that the Indian Army Chief smelled it the right opportunity to castigate Pakistan and pressurize it to restrict its nuclear capability. New Delhi cannot blame Pakistan for being a nuclear state. The fact is that it was its own desire for greater power-push that resulted in the nuclearisation of South Asia. What is more, Islamabad's efforts at the UN for a nuclear free Subcontinent were repeatedly stymied by New Delhi. Pakistan only wants to keep a minimum deterrence, as its nuclear capability is purely defensive. Moreover, it has no ambitions to get into an arms race with India by matching weapon for weapon. What it is interested in, is only credible deterrence. In this context Islamabad's need for nuclear weapons are genuine. There is no denying that fact that the nukes have a destructive side to them but given India's threatening posture, they have been a blessing in disguise. Up until now, they have proven as an effective deterrence against any evil designs from India. One had hoped that the new government in India would realize the need to create a healthy atmosphere in the region and give priority to resolving all contentious issues with Pakistan, including Kashmir. Unfortunately, from General Kapoor's statement it appears that New Delhi continues to stall the process of composite dialogue. It had better review its stance for the good of both.