India's nuclear deterrence capability in place: DRDO chief

New Delhi: With a debate over the effectiveness of the country's nuclear arsenal raring up again, as some ex-scientists from the nuclear and defence establishment locked horns once again over the issue, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) chief VK Saraswat has said the country is "self-sufficient" in this strategic area and had the capabilities it "needs to have".

Agni II missile

"In terms of deterrence, India has the capability, which it needs to have. Any deterrence is the function of what is the threat against which you are creating it and in that particular aspect, we are totally self-sufficient. India's deterrence capabilities are fully safe and all the infrastructure required is also in place'' he told reporters on the sidelines of a DRDO seminar here.

Saraswat was questioned about the effectiveness of India's nuclear deterrence after doubts raised over it by ex-DRDO senior scientist K Santhanam and ex-Atomic Energy Commission chief PK Iyengar.

"In terms of capability, what matters is the efficacy of your deterrence and not the numbers. I can assure you that in terms of efficacy, we are at par with whatever adversaries we are looking at," he added.