NEW DELHI:  Former Prime minister Manmohan Singh said that India is a "reluctant" nuclear weapon state and that new proliferation risks can lead to unintended escalations, enhancing the likelihood of a nuclear.

While speaking at the book launch of Observer Reserach Foundation's ''Nuclear Order in the Twenty First Century'' Singh said, "India is the only country that had an extensive and advanced peaceful nuclear programme before we were compelled to shift in response to security threats and the only one that exercised nearly a quarter century of restraint after having demonstrated its technical capability. This is why we decided to base our nuclear doctrine on a credible, minimum deterrent.

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Former Prime Minister, further said that  "Many leaders are concerned that these lead to greater unpredictability and compress the time lines for decision making. It can lead to unintended escalation, increasing the likelihood of a nuclear strike, something the world has not seen since 1945.commenting on  Multipolarity Singh said that it has become a reality in the global economy but the political structures have yet to overcome the inertia of outmoded thinking.

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Senior congress leader also said, many countries are modernising their nuclear arsenals with tactical and low yield weapons, increasing the likelihood of their use. The goal of nuclear disarmament seems to be receding," he said.