Whatever the headlines over Pakistan’s nuclear build-up, India should stick to its no-first-use policy on nuclear weapons.
When one of the senior lawmakers from India’s main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party—and a former External Affairs Minister—calls on the government to re-examine its doctrine of no-first-use (NFU), it’s bound to turn some heads, at home and abroad.
The rationale behind Jaswant Singh’s suggestion is the increasingly multi-pronged security concerns facing India. According to Singh, the NFU doctrine—formulated by the National Democratic Alliance government in 1998—is ‘yesterday’s policy.’
In calling for it to be revisited, Singh has emphasized the security concerns over Pakistan’s growing nuclear arsenal. Pakistan is reportedly in possession of 100 to 110 nuclear warheads— double India’s nuclear stockpile of approximately 50 to 60 warheads. Italso has good delivery systems, which it reportedly received from China and North Korea. This combined with the reality that Pakistan is a state in turmoil run by a powerless government that has little control over the terrorist groups operating within its territory, makes it clear why there is some cause for concern.
But it’s not only concerns over Pakistan that have apparently been playing on Singh’s mind—he has also pointed to China’s rising influence in Nepal’s internal affairs to substantiate his claim that Beijing poses a long-term threat to India.
Does the Indian government agree with the veteran politician’s assessment? Certainly not officially. External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna has publicly asserted that there will be no revision of the NFU policy by the government. But the seriousness of the issue means that policymakers can’t dismiss Singh’s points as the concerns of a single politician.
Sceptics question the efficacy of the NFU policy on the grounds that it has little relevance as a strategic tool against Pakistan—they see it as a declaratory policy, rather than one with binding legitimacy. Pakistan’s military establishment, meanwhile, appears suspicious about whether India would actually follow through with its NFU doctrine if push comes to shove. After all, the policy is a unilateral decision that can be revoked at any time if the situation demands.
But does India really need to depend on a nuclear threat against Pakistan and China? India’s strategic culture clearly demonstrates that it is a status quo power devoid of any aggressive intention. Besides, India’s conventional strength is more than adequate to defend it against Pakistan. This conventional advantage is further reinforced by India’s offensive policy of ‘Cold Start,’ which seeks to circumvent any nuclear response from Pakistan. The Cold Start doctrine is independent of the NFU pledge, meaning India can use it to neutralise any conventional aggression by Pakistan.
Photo Credit: Antônio Milena
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cool Pakistani
Pakistan is reportedly in possession of 100 to 110 nuclear warheads— double India’s nuclear stockpile of approximately 50 to 60 warheads.
wow cool
Frank
“The British came to India to teach them English and thus ensure long term employment through call centers” — See Tom’s comments below mine.
Tom:
You are wrong. Indians are proud of their English and therefore thankful to their British masters.
Indians need masters.
Taj was a Mongol tomb. Indians are proud of that.
Indians use their master’s language.
Call centers serve the masters directly. Indians are proud of that.
Indians are proud of their cricket simply because masters played that. Although masters are playing footballs now.
etc. etc.
Johnny
@Frank Your comments are indicative of poor education and insecurity in your country. As someone pointed out you indeed sound like an madarsa educated boy. Did you go to China’s pet Pakistan for education? It would explain your support of terrorism!
cool Pakistani
Pakistan is reportedly in possession of 100 to 110 nuclear warheads— double India’s nuclear stockpile of approximately 50 to 60 warheads. wow cool
cool Pakistani
Pakistan do not support terrorism becoz Pakistan is still fighting against terrorism
Johnny
@Readers Poster named Frank is simply here to spread 50c propaganda of China. To know more Google ‘China propaganda 50 cent party’. He is a troll and supports terrorism.
Frank
Will I get paid?
John Chan
Readers Poster named Johnny is simply here to spread 50c propaganda of anti-China, he is paid by the CIA and IB of India. He is a troll and supports terrorism against world peace and prosperity.
Johnny
@Chan Haha nice try. Everyone knows that only Chinese hire propaganda bloggers and it is an universally known truth. China’s subversion of human principles and suppression of common Chinese men necessitates creation of propaganda branch to delude its people.
ALso, I never ever post racist remarks, I never ever call people of other country ‘liars,thieves,hideous…’ etc like you do. It is extremely clear who is being a racist.
And here is a link to prove my point.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_in_the_People’s_Republic_of_China
Sanele
Is he a defcnee analyst’ or pakistan’s propaganda minister. The article was in no sense an analysis. An analysis has some basis and reasoning to it! The author too seems to be paranoid about India, just like everyother pakistani
lol
@”Frank”
“Goa, Sikkim, Kashmir, Nagaland, Assam, South Tibet, Ladak, etc.”
Congrats. First day at geography class? Did they suspend madrassa classes for the day?
Frank
“Did they suspend madrassa classes for the day?”
No. I am not an Indian. I do not take madrassa classes or obedience classes.
How is your obedience class?
Learn to wiggle your tail or head yet?
Sanket Upadhyay
India’s nuclear stockpile is 100-120 active warheads not 60 warheads as mentioned by author. Another important point missing is that India has enough Non-IAEA monitored weapon grade uranium/plutonium to make ~1000 warheads if need arises. Not to even mention IAEA monitored uranium/plutonium!
I can’t understand why Mr.Reshmi Kazi is so worried about it since the ‘First use’ is only a suggestion by a opposition party. India is a democracy and we don’t just do things on the whim of some people. The suggestion is most likely going to be thrown to dustbin in first debate and if it passes that there are many debates/discussions before it can be passed. And if then, and only then, the elected leaders o people decide that this law may/maynot serve our intrest it will be passed/rejected.
zenrahim
It is possible that greed of power may have prompted single individual high military command of Lawless Pakistan to instruct ISI agency to steer the pot (Terror attack in Mumbai of 2008)to maintain the strain (public opinion)in their favor. Pakistan Was, Is, and Will always be a nation of anarchy state (only way to control radical fanatic old school uneducated mobs and mullahs) until good Education starts polishing the new generation for mutual peace, respect and prosperity. As an Indian I dislike ISI and hope Pakistan can develop security agency like India CBI or like US Homeland Security. The current PM of Pakistan respected Mr. Gilani did hint foreign hand which could have meant exile ex military dictator which have always used this radicals as first line of defense against imaginary enemy state India. There is a old saying “The one who digs the grave for others has to enter the grave first” which means China will be left alone in 10 years time due to good governance in India and Pakistan. The time of proxy war eg: North Korea will no longer be tolerated by freedom loving Chinese.
Frank
“India’s strategic culture clearly demonstrates that it is a status quo power devoid of any aggressive intention.”
Goa, Sikkim, Kashmir, Nagaland, Assam, South Tibet, Ladak, etc.
Tom
Yea India is an aggressive expansionist power. Also the Portugese are native to Goa and were not an occupying power. And Western Countries invaded Iraq to find weapons of mass destruction, the British came to India to teach them English and thus ensure long term employment through call centers, the US did not create the Taliban to fight the Soviet Union and look outside your window the pigs are flying…. oops not true. Neither are the preceding statements. Stop being condescending and open your eyes to the fact that these were Indian territories occupied by Europeans.
RS
Tom, don’t even bother. Look at some of his other comments on other articles. I don’t know if he genuinely believes the things he says or he just trolls to get some kicks.