Critically analyze India's nuclear policy. (UPSC CSE Mains 2016 - Political Science and International Relations, Paper 2)
Nuclear policy refers to a set of guidelines, principles, and strategies a country follows regarding its nuclear weapons and nuclear energy programs.
India’s Nuclear Policy
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Principle
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Description
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No-first-use
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- India will not use nuclear weapons first in a conflict and will only use them in retaliation to a nuclear attack.
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Deterrence
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- India''s nuclear doctrine is designed to prevent other countries from using nuclear weapons against India.
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Minimum credible deterrence
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- India''s nuclear arsenal is intended to provide a minimum level of deterrence that is necessary to deter other countries from using nuclear weapons against it.
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Retaliation only
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- India''s nuclear weapons are intended for retaliation only.
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Nuclear weapons as a last resort
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- India views nuclear weapons as a last resort, to be used only when all other means of resolving a conflict have failed.
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Non-use against non-nuclear weapon states
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- India has committed to not using nuclear weapons against countries that do not possess nuclear weapons.
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No use against civilians
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- India has pledged to not use nuclear weapons against civilian populations or against non-military targets.
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Commitment to disarmament
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- India is committed to the eventual global disarmament of nuclear weapons and supports international efforts to reduce and eliminate nuclear arsenals.
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A review is needed
The decision to review the NFU policy is a complex issue with arguments on both sides.
- NFU policy should be reviewed: It is argued that the security environment in South Asia has changed significantly since the policy was first adopted.
- India today faces growing threats from state and non-state actors that could escalate to the use of nuclear weapons.
- Also, India''s nuclear doctrine should evolve to reflect its growing military capabilities, strategic interests, and regional dynamics.
- NFU policy should be continued: Some experts argue that the NFU policy has served India well and that there is no need to review it.
- They argue that abandoning the NFU policy could lead to a destabilizing arms race and increase the risk of nuclear conflict in the region.
Thus, any change to India''s nuclear doctrine should be based on a thorough evaluation of its costs and benefits and should aim to enhance India''s security and stability in the region.
Looking ahead India’s Nuclear Policy
Some of the steps that can be taken to ensure the development of India’s Nuclear Policy are:
- Nuclear disarmament: India should continue to pursue this goal through diplomatic efforts and by engaging with other countries and international organizations.
- Non-proliferation: India should continue to work towards strengthening the global non-proliferation regime and preventing the spread of nuclear weapons and technology.
- Nuclear energy development: Expanding the nuclear energy programme to meet growing energy needs accompanied by strong measures to protect against nuclear accidents and the proliferation of nuclear weapons technology.
- Regional security: India should also continue to pursue a policy of deterrence to ensure regional security while engaging in dialogue and confidence-building measures with its neighbors to reduce tensions and promote stability in the region.
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