New Delhi: Pakistan has between 110 and 130 nuclear bombs, says a latest report prepared by the Congressional Research Service for members of the US Congress.

The full report is now in the public domain. It says Pakistan's "expansion of its nuclear arsenal... (has caused concern over) "an increased risk of nuclear conflict" with India.

The CRS report comes in the wake of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's address to a joint session of US Congress. The speech has been hailed as a turning point in India-US relations, marking enhanced defence cooperation between the two countries. There has been bipartisan appreciation of Modi's speech. The Washington Establishment has been profuse in its praise.

The report, blandly titled "Pakistan's Nuclear Weapons", has been prepared by Paul K Kerr, analyst in nonproliferation, and Mary Beth Nikitin, specialist in nonproliferation. It coincides with India's robust effort to gain membership of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

The US has stoutly endorsed India's move, as have nearly all members barring China and six-odd countries. China has been seeking NSG membership for Pakistan, a move that has no takers. The report provides an explanation as to where Pakistan stands on nuclear weapons, their safety and their proliferation.

According to the assessment provided in the report, instability in Pakistan severely imperils the safety and security of its nuclear arsenal.

Here are the salient features of the report, excerpted verbatim:

. Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal probably consists of approximately 110-130 nuclear warheads, although it could have more.

. Islamabad is producing fissile material, adding to related production facilities, and deploying additional nuclear weapons and new types of delivery vehicles.

. Pakistan’s nuclear arsenal is widely regarded as designed to dissuade India from taking military action against Pakistan.

. Islamabad’s expansion of its nuclear arsenal, development of new types of nuclear weapons, and adoption of a doctrine called “full spectrum deterrence” have led some observers to express concern about an increased risk of nuclear conflict between Pakistan and India, which also continues to expand its nuclear arsenal. 

. Pakistan has in recent years taken a number of steps to increase international confidence in the security of its nuclear arsenal.

. Pakistani and US officials argue that, since the 2004 revelations about a procurement network run by former Pakistani nuclear official AQ Khan, Islamabad has taken a number of steps to improve its nuclear security and to prevent further proliferation of nuclear-related technologies and materials.

. A number of important initiatives, such as strengthened export control laws, improved personnel security, and international nuclear security cooperation programmes, have improved Pakistan’s nuclear security.

. However, instability in Pakistan has called the extent and durability of these reforms into question.

. Some observers fear radical takeover of the Pakistani Government or diversion of material or technology by personnel within Pakistan’s nuclear complex. 

. While US and Pakistani officials continue to express confidence in controls over Pakistan’s nuclear weapons, continued instability in the country could impact these safeguards.

. Furthermore, continued Indian and Pakistani nuclear weapons development could jeopardize strategic stability between the two countries.