Pakistani Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that Pakistan would be forced to take "counter-measures" to discourage India against any attacks, given a major arms build-up by neighbouring India.
"While refusing dialogue, India is engaged in a major arms build-up, regrettably with the active assistance of several powers," Sharif said in a speech to the U.S. Institute of Peace in Washington.
"It has adopted dangerous military doctrines. This will compel Pakistan to take several counter-measures to preserve credible deterrence."
Nawaz Sharif said talks had been cancelled due to increased ceasefire violations by India across the Line of Control. The LoC divides Pakistani and Indian Kashmir.
He said there had also been 'a stream of hostile statements by the Indian political and military leadership'.
Sharif, who held talks with President Barack Obama in Washington on Thursday, said there was a need to resume dialogue with India and urged the United States to be more understanding of Pakistan's position in the interests of regional stability.
"I believe a close review of some of the existing assumptions and analysis and greater attention to Pakistan's views and interests would enable Washington to play a constructive role in averting the danger of escalation and promoting stability in South Asia," he said.
Sharif did not define "counter-measures".
However, the U.S President urged Pakistan to avoid developments in its nuclear weapons program that could increase risks and instability on Thursday.
Washington, which like Russia is a major arms supplier to India, has been concerned about Pakistan's development of new nuclear weapons, including small tactical nuclear weapons.
Pakistan argued that smaller tactical nuclear weapons are needed to deter a sudden attack by India.
Sharif said the Indian PM Narendra Modi agreed to hold talks in July, but due to the escalating tensions in Kashmir, derailed the plans.
Earlier on Friday, India's foreign ministry spokesman welcomed Pakistan's pledge to fight militant groups, but ruled out any third-party mediation to end the Kashmir dispute.
The spokesman, Vikas Swarup, said India "remains open" to talks between the two countries' national security advisers.
"Pakistan's tensions with India needed to be addressed and this would be best done through continued dialogue between the two countries", said Mark Toner, a U.S State Department spokesman in a press briefing to Washington news.
