Critically examine major tenets of India’s Nuclear Policy. (HPAS Mains Question Paper 2022 – GS 2, Q.27)
Over several decades, India’s nuclear policy has evolved, and its tenets have been shaped by a variety of factors, including strategic considerations, geopolitical developments, and domestic political imperatives.
Here are some of India’s central nuclear policy tenets:
1. No First Use (NFU): According to India’s nuclear doctrine, it will not be the first to use nuclear weapons in any conflict. This policy is intended to reassure other countries and reduce the risk of nuclear escalation in a crisis. However, it is important to note that if India is attacked with nuclear weapons or other weapons of mass destruction, it reserves the right to respond with nuclear weapons.
2. Minimum Credible Deterrence (MCD): The concept of “minimum credible deterrence” underpins India’s nuclear doctrine. This means India’s nuclear arsenal is designed to deter an adversary from using nuclear weapons against it. India’s nuclear doctrine does not include a strategy for atomic warfighting or using nuclear weapons for purposes other than deterrence.
3. Non-Proliferation: India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which aims to prevent nuclear weapon proliferation. However, since 1998, India has kept a voluntary moratorium on nuclear testing and has pledged not to transfer nuclear technology to other countries.
4. India has a civilian nuclear programme that focuses on generating electricity and other peaceful uses of atomic energy. The country has signed some international agreements, including the India-US Civil Nuclear Agreement, to facilitate the development of its civilian nuclear programme.
5. Strategic Autonomy: The principle of strategic autonomy underpins India’s nuclear policy, which means India seeks to pursue its interests and priorities in the atomic realm rather than aligning itself with any particular nuclear power bloc. India also aims to maintain a degree of flexibility in its nuclear policy, avoiding being tethered to any specific atomic strategy or posture.
6. Non-Proliferation: Although India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), it has kept a unilateral moratorium on nuclear testing in place since 1998. In addition, India has pledged not to transfer nuclear technology to other countries and has advocated for global nuclear disarmament.
India’s nuclear policy is intended to provide some deterrence to potential adversaries while also promoting strategic autonomy and protecting its interests. However, as with any atomic policy, India’s approach has risks and challenges, including the risk of nuclear escalation in a crisis and the risk of accidental or unauthorized use of atomic weapons.
