India's decision to buy S-400 Missile system will destabilise South Asia: Pakistan

Pakistan has said that the Indian  purchase of S-400 missile system from Russia is a part of New Delhi's  efforts to acquire a Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) System through  multiple sources and this would  "further destabilise" South Asia.

Pakistan's  ministry of foreign affairs said in a statement that: "This will   further destabilise strategic stability in South Asia, besides leading  to a renewed arms race."

It said in a statement on  Friday that following the May 1998 nuclear tests by both sides, Pakistan  had proposed a Strategic Restraint Regime in the region, advocating  against the acquisition of BMD systems due to their destabilising  effect.

Indian rejection of this proposal forced  Pakistan to develop capabilities which render any BMD system ineffective  and unreliable. "Pakistan remains fully confident of its ability to  address threats from any kind of destabilising weapon system."

The  statement further said: "We reiterate our commitment towards ensuring  national defence in line with the policy of maintaining credible minimum  deterrence and maintaining strategic balance in the region in the  future as well".