India now has the capability to build nuclear weapons with the same destructive power as those in the arsenals of the world's major nuclear powers, bolstering its strategic defence against potential aggressors within the region.

New Delhi's senior atomic officials said India has built weapons with yields of up to 200 kilotons, which they said would be considered a “proper strategic deterrent” by the global community. A nuclear weapon above 50 kilotons is considered high yield. India's enhanced capability gives it a considerable edge over Pakistan, its nuclear-armed arch-rival.

India's declaration comes as Iran launched war games yesterday, testing short-range missiles, just days after announcing it had been building a second uranium enrichment plant. Western governments seized upon this as further evidence that Tehran was in breach of United Nations obligations.