Question

Explain the Nuclear Policy of India.

Hint:

India supports nuclear power for peaceful use but also built a nuclear deterrent after the tests of 1974 and 1998. It follows the policy of no first use and credible minimum deterrence.

Answer 1

Step 1: Early policy:
Nehru supported nuclear energy for peaceful use and set up the Atomic Energy Commission in 1948 under Homi Bhabha.
India wanted nuclear disarmament by all countries and asked for a fair world nuclear order.

Step 2: Opposition to unequal treaties:
India did not sign the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (1968) and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. It said they favoured the countries that already had nuclear weapons.

Step 3: Nuclear tests:
India held a peaceful nuclear explosion at Pokhran in 1974. After China and Pakistan advanced their nuclear programmes, India conducted tests again at Pokhran in May 1998 and declared itself a nuclear weapon state.

Step 4: Doctrine:
India follows a policy of no first use. It will not attack first but will respond if attacked.
It follows credible minimum deterrence, which means it keeps only as many weapons as needed to stop an attack.

Final Answer:
India uses nuclear power for peace and development, keeps a small deterrent, follows no first use, and calls for global nuclear disarmament.