Foreign Office has said on Friday that India's decision to buy S-400 missile defence system (MDS) from Russia to acquire a ballistic missile defence (BMD) system will further destabilise the region strategically, besides leading to a renewed arms race. Following the May 1998 nuclear tests by both sides, the statement pointed out, 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," it asserted.
"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," the Foreign Office further stated.
On October 5, 2018, India signed a $5 billion deal with Russia to acquire the S-400 air defence missile system during Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi for an annual summit.