India vs China, US vs North Korea: A look at nuclear prowess of the nations
In terms of nuclear arsenal, the US, India, China and North Korea are among the top 10 nations in the world.
Sidhartha Shukla
August 14, 2017 / 02:28 PM IST
A state of worry and uncertainty has engulfed the world as tensions across the US, North Korea, India and China build up.
North Korea, under the dictatorship of Kim Jong-un, has been actively testing nuclear weapons since the start of 2017 despite various warnings and sanctions issued from the West. This has further escalated the existing tensions between the country and the US.
Since 1945, North Korea has conducted five nuclear tests in comparison to US' 1,032.
Leaders of both the nations have already engaged in a war of words which spooked the globe last week. US intelligence agencies believe that North Korea has developed inter-continental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) which can target major US cities.
After the news came, US President Donald Trump warned Kim Jong-un that he would unleash 'fire and fury' on North Korea if it does not stop issuing threats to the US.
If this was not scary enough, there's another nuclear warhead-possessing nation looking to assert its power in Asia. Relations between India and China have not been at their best since the 1960s. The relationship soured further after India accused China of constructing a road in the Doklam region — a disputed area which has strategic significance for both the countries.
Chinese state-run media houses have tried to intimidate and insult India, whereas India cautions Chinese leadership that it is not the same country it used to be.
In terms of nuclear arsenal, the chart below shows that all US, India, China, and North Korea are among the top 10 nations in the world.
Diplomatic talks can help settle difference among the four nations and it is in the best interests of the world.
NOTE: Nuclear warhead figures in the above chart are in the range in 120-130 for India and 130-140 for Pakistan, and 10-20 for North Korea.
