India’s Nuclear doctrine

Published on 08 Feb 2025

India became a nuclear power in 1998 and officially put forth its nuclear doctrine in 2003. The doctrine guides India’s actions related to nuclear weapons in international politics.

Features of India’s nuclear doctrine

• No First Use (NFU) policy: The policy implies India will not be the nation to initiate a nuclear war and will only use it in response to a nuclear attack on its territory or its forces anywhere.

• Credible Minimum Deterrence: India is not planning to indefinitely expand its nuclear arsenal but is built on assured second strike capability. The minimum nuclear arsenal should be enough to bring effective deterrence.

• Massive retaliation: Once India is attacked by a nuclear weapon the retaliation will be massive bringing disproportionate damage to the adversary.

• Civilian control: The decision to use a nuclear weapon will be taken by a political leadership and not as per the decision of the military.

Significance of India’s nuclear doctrine

• No Arms race: India’s credible minimum deterrence policy ensures that the nation only maintains an optimum number of nuclear arsenal thus negating the scope for arms race.

• Example: India maintains less nuclear warheads than Pakistan despite India’s resources which reduces the tensions between the two nations

• Ensures national security: The doctrine has proposed maximum retaliation once the nation is being attacked and this could create sufficient deterrence to ensure national security.

• Example: Absence of any major war against India in 21st century can be attributed to the nuclear deterrence strategy.

• Abide to ethical standards: India’s NFU policy ensures that India will not be using the weapon against non-nuclear weapon states, thus enhancing India’s global image.

• Example: NFU policy creates a sense of trust among the friendly neighbours towards India.

• Commitment to nuclear non-proliferation: India’s doctrine enables India to continue its non-proliferation efforts in the international forum.

• Responsible nuclear power: India's doctrine minimizes any opportunity for the nuclear weapons to be misused in India thus promoting India as a responsible nuclear power. This is crucial for India's quest to become a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group.

• Example: India’s image as a responsible nuclear power has enabled India to have bilateral nuclear agreements with major powers even when India has not adhered to Non-Proliferation Treaty.

Challenges to India’s nuclear doctrine

• Credibility of NFU: Considering the present security threats from its neighbourhood, many observers have recommended reconsidering the NFU stance and using them pre-emptively to prevent an imminent threat.

• Example: Though India could avoid major war with Pakistan, security threats persist which resulted in Uri attack and Pulwama attack.

• Shift in conventional warfare: The development of tactical nuclear weapons and the popularity of war on the cyber front have also questioned India's NFU policy.

• Example: China has targeted India's critical infrastructure through cyber war which nuclear deterrence may not work.

• Rise of rogue states: Present power dynamics have resulted in more rogue states violating international laws. This reality dooms the effectiveness of India’s ethical approach adopted in the doctrine

• Example: Rise of Taliban has increased the number of rogue states in India’s neighbourhood which is an imminent security threat.

• Nuclear terrorism: The possibility of nuclear technology falling into the hands of non-state actors makes nuclear deterrence strategy redundant and calls for pre-emptive action.

• Example: The possibility of LeT or JeM possessing nuclear capability would be disastrous for India

• Credibility regarding second strike capability: Questions persist on the effectiveness with which India can respond to an initial nuclear attack. The bureaucratic network should be adept at crisis management to ensure an effective second strike.

Way forward

• Periodic reviews: Security as a dynamic concept requires periodic reviews, and the same holds true for India's doctrines.

• Cost benefit analysis: Policymakers contemplating a review of India's nuclear doctrine should be aware of the associated costs.

• Dissuasive deterrence: India should consider gradually transitioning from 'active deterrence' to 'dissuasive deterrence' by enhancing border infrastructure and improving surveillance and warning capabilities.

• Join global efforts: Both India and China adhere to a No First Use (NFU) policy, providing an opportunity for joint efforts towards a global NFU nuclear order.

India's nuclear doctrine has been well documented to project India as a  responsible nuclear power and has also served India's good in international forums. However the doctrine should bring more flexibility to counter the evolving security threats. Periodic reviews must ensure the doctrine is more in touch with present security narrative and brings effective deterrence.

Tags:
Security

Keywords:
Internal security National security architecture Nuclear doctrine No First Use policy

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Internal Security