The doctrine of No First Use is central to this strategy, designed to assure neighbors and global powers that India will only respond to a nuclear attack with overwhelming force. The Strategic Imperative of Nuclear Deterrence The primary driver behind India’s nuclear arsenal is the fundamental principle of deterrence, specifically the credible threat of massive retaliation.
The Strategic Imperative of Nuclear Deterrence for India
Facing a border dispute and a vast conventional military imbalance, India viewed nuclear capability as the great equalizer. 1974 Pokhran-I Marked India’s official entry into the nuclear club, asserting technological independence.
This recognition of India as a responsible nuclear power, despite not being a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, reflects a pragmatic shift in international geopolitics that acknowledges the country’s status. The pursuit of these capabilities represents a calculated effort to ensure survival and strategic autonomy in a volatile region where conventional military advantages are often asymmetric.
The Strategic Imperative of Nuclear Deterrence
Countering the China Factor From a security perspective, the development of nuclear weapons by China in the mid-20th century fundamentally altered the strategic calculations of New Delhi. 1998 Pokhran-II Completed the weaponization of the program, establishing full deterrence capability.
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