Option 1 states that both statements are individually true and that statement 2 is the correct explanation of statement 1.

Statement 1 highlights that India used the Minimum Credible Deterrent argument to justify its development of nuclear weapons, citing a threat from China. Pakistan, in turn, also used the same argument against India when it developed its own nuclear weapons. This implies that both countries believed that possessing nuclear weapons was necessary for their security.

Statement 2 explains what the Minimum Credible Deterrent refers to. The Minimum Credible Deterrent is a concept that suggests that a country should possess nuclear weapons when it faces a clear nuclear threat. In other words, it argues that having sufficient nuclear capabilities is crucial for deterring potential nuclear attacks.

Therefore, option 1 is the correct answer because both statements are true, and statement 2 serves as the correct explanation for statement 1. The Minimum Credible Deterrent was used by both India and Pakistan to justify their nuclear weapon development, based on the perceived threats they faced.