India says never initiated military action against any neighbour

India has never initiated military action against any neighbour, the government said on Monday in response to US President Barack Obama's remarks that India and Pakistan should ensure that they develop their military doctrines in a way that they did not move in the wrong direction.

"Yes, we have seen those remarks. There seems to be a lack of understanding of India's defence posture," the external affairs ministry said in a statement.

"Conventionally, India has never initiated military action against any neighbour. We also have a no-first use nuclear weapons policy," it stated.

Following the fourth and final nuclear security summit held in Washington this weekend, Obama said in a press conference that other than the US and Russia leading the way in reducing nuclear arsenal, it should be ensured that India and Pakistan develop their military doctrines in a way that they did not move in the wrong direction.

"Nuclear arsenals are expanding in some countries with more small, tactical nuclear weapons, which could be at greater risk of theft," Obama said.

The external affairs ministry statement said: "Since the context was the Nuclear Security Summit, the president's own remark that 'expanding nuclear arsenals in some countries, with more small tactical nuclear weapons which could be at greater risk of theft' sums up the focus of global concern."