IANS

New Delhi, Aug 20: India should be prepared for the "eventuality" that nuclear, chemical and biological weapons may fall into the hands of terrorists, Minister of State for Defence M.M. Pallam Raju said Thursday while stressing that adequate steps were being taken to counter any threats.

"In future the potential is there that terrorists could get nuclear, biological and chemical weapons towards which we should take adequate steps.

"We should be prepared for any eventuality. And nuclear, biological and chemical weapons is something we are preparing for," Raju said at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) conference here.

Referring to China, he said: "Being a bigger power, China will make its move and increase its military prowess."

However, the minister held that India would take sufficient steps to counter any threat posed to its security.

"We have to give them (China) the benefit of doubt, that they have to take safeguards for their sea lanes as it is an energy supply route. But it shouldn't be intrusive and shouldn't threaten us."