Question

Explain any three important features of India’s Nuclear Policy.

Hint:

Key features of India's Nuclear Policy: 1. Primary emphasis on peaceful applications of nuclear energy. 2. Official doctrine of No First Use (NFU) and Credible Minimum Deterrence. 3. Opposing discriminatory treaties like NPT/CTBT while advocating for universal nuclear disarmament.

Answer 1

Concept: India's nuclear program was conceptualized under the vision of Homi J. Bhabha in the late 1940s. Over decades, India's nuclear doctrine has evolved to balance security imperatives with a strong commitment to peace and non-proliferation. Three Important Features of India's Nuclear Policy:
• Commitment to Peaceful Uses and Development of Science:
• Right from its inception under Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, India firmly advocated that nuclear technology should primarily be harnessed for peaceful energy generation, industrial development, medical research, and agricultural advancement.
• Even when India conducted its first Peaceful Nuclear Explosion (PNE) at Pokhran in May 1974 (Operation Smiling Buddha), it maintained that the test was aimed at developing technology for constructive peaceful purposes, distinguishing itself from weaponisation expansion.
• Doctrine of "No First Use" (NFU) and Credible Minimum Deterrence:
• Following the full-fledged nuclear weapons tests at Pokhran in May 1998 (Operation Shakti), India officially formulated its formal Nuclear Doctrine.
• The core cornerstone of this policy is "No First Use" (NFU) , which guarantees that India will never use nuclear weapons first against any state. Nuclear weapons will only be used in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian territory or Indian armed forces anywhere.
• Additionally, India adheres to maintaining a "Credible Minimum Deterrence" , meaning it maintains only the minimum necessary nuclear arsenal required to deter potential hostile adversaries, avoiding an arms race.
• Opposition to Discriminatory Global Treaties and Push for Universal Disarmament:
• India has consistently opposed international non-proliferation treaties that it deems inherently discriminatory and non-uniform, such as the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT, 1968) and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT, 1996).
• India argues that these treaties divide the world into nuclear "haves" and "have-nots," legitimizing the nuclear monopolies of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council while penalizing non-nuclear states.
• India maintains that it remains committed to global, non-discriminatory, universal, and verifiable nuclear disarmament.