Nuclear Weapons And India

Relevance:GS2 - Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests; GS3 - Achievements of Indians in Science & Technology

(Source: Indian Express, 08/04/2023)

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Why in the news?

• In this article, it is discussed how India, after achieving independence, worked on developing nuclear capabilities for both peaceful purposes and as a way to ensure its security.
• It explores how India's stance evolved over time, from wanting a world without nuclear weapons to recognizing the need for deterrence.

History of India’s Nuclear Power

• Nehru's Strategy: After Independence, PM Jawaharlal Nehru adopted a nuanced strategy concerning "nuclear power." In 1950, he articulated his stance, expressing opposition to the atom bomb and advocated for a nuclear-free world.
• Leadership of Dr. Homi J Bhabha: Dr. Homi J Bhabha was entrusted with the responsibility of spearheading India's nuclear program. The goal was to use nuclear energy for peaceful things, while also being ready to make weapons if necessary.
• Challenging External Environment: After India's setback in the 1962 conflict with China, the country's external environment became more complex. In 1964, China tested a nuclear weapon and by then, all the big countries with permanent seats in the UN Security Council had already tested nuclear weapons.

Motivations Behind India's Nuclear Plans

• George Perkovich in his book "India’s Nuclear Bomb: The Impact on Global Proliferation" (1999), offered insights into India's nuclear aspirations.
• It was stated that Dr. Bhabha had been intentionally developing nuclear weapon capabilities even before the emergence of a Chinese nuclear threat.
• Beyond security concerns, the driving forces behind India's initial nuclear ambitions were intertwined with Bhabha's and Nehru's convictions.
  • They believed that nuclear technology could expedite India's journey towards modernity and confer major power status.
• India wanted to become skilled in nuclear science and technology. This would allow them to potentially create nuclear weapons. By doing this, India aimed to move beyond its history of being controlled by colonial powers.

Evolution of India's Nuclear Policy

• India’s first nuclear test: India's first nuclear test in 1974 under Prime Minister Indira Gandhi demonstrated nuclear capability but faced international backlash and internal opposition, slowing down nuclear arsenal development.
• Shift and Advocacy: A conversation between Reagan and Rajiv Gandhi in 1985, in the book ‘How Prime Ministers Decide (2023) by Neerja Chowdhury’, revealed Pakistan's nuclear progress, prompting a change in India's stance.
  • Strategists like Subrahmanyam and General Sundarji advocated for a small, politically-focused nuclear arsenal for deterrence.
• Decision and Continuity: Rajiv Gandhi approved nuclear weapons development in 1989. Despite his loss of power and assassination in 1991, successive governments maintained support for the program.
• Pokhran I: By the 1970s, India was capable of conducting a nuclear bomb test. Pokhran-I was India's first nuclear bomb test conducted on May 18, 1974, at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan.
• Operation Shakti: Under PM Vajpayee's leadership, India conducted the 1998 nuclear tests (Operation Shakti) in response to perceived threats from a nuclear-armed neighboring state (China).
• The Indo-US nuclear deal which paved the way for the strategic partnership that now involves high-end technology cooperation from defence to artificial intelligence.
• The Balakot surgical strike in 2019 exemplified India's commitment to using conventional means in response to cross-border threats.

Conclusion

• As a nuclear power, India has fortified its strength and independence in strategic deliberations.
• Presently, it possesses the capability and ethical standing to assume a prominent role in collaborating with the global community to mitigate the potential for nuclear weapon deployment.
• India, as a major global player, has the opportunity to lead efforts towards nuclear disarmament.
• Its role in international partnerships and platforms like G20 can contribute to reducing the risk of nuclear weapon usage.

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