This essay presents an outline of the evolution of India's Nuclear Policy with a special reference to the India- US Nuclear Deal.
However, more recent developments such as the passing of the Deal, withdrawal of Left support and the vote of confidence in the Lok Sabha are not included. On April 8th 2008 The Hindu published an article titled “Potential consequences of a regional
nuclear conflict” in which the author convincingly illustrates the dangers a nuclear- armed
South Asia presents.1 The fact that both India and Pakistan, but of course also China,
possess nuclear weapons has been an alarming reality since 1998. The relative progress
that has been achieved in India- Pakistan relations should not lead one to forget that two
conflicts in 1999 and 2001 could easily have escalated into a nuclear confrontation.
India had embarked upon a civilian nuclear program right after her independence but the
“weapon option” has always been present. India’s nuclear policy has been an evolutionary,
sometimes painful process equally shaped by domestic and international factors. This paper
attempts to analyse some of these factors and argues that the development of nuclear
weapons was a logical, albeit not planned, consequence of them. It is interesting that even
those in India fiercely opposed to nuclear weapons subconsciously seemed to have realised
that India’s nuclear program could not be limited to civilian application forever.
A constant in India’s nuclear policy is the strong wish to become and remain as independent
as possible. For this independent nuclear policy India had to pay a high price. Isolated from
international nuclear cooperation, confronted with sharp criticism and even sanctions, India
had to rely on herself. While India’s success has been a great source of national pride India’s
isolation in nuclear issues also contributed to a lack of strategic planning regarding India’s
place in both the region and the world, and the role the nuclear weapons should or should
not play in this. The (possible) India- US nuclear deal has provoked an intense debate
among Indian actors that creates the chance that India will finally come to terms with its
nuclear potential as she prepares for assuming the status of a world power.
Table of Contents
- 1. The Evolution of India's Nuclear Policy
- 1.1. Fundamentals of India's Foreign Policy and the Nuclear Option
- 1.2. India, the NPT, CTBT, and the IAEA
- 1.3. India's Nuclear Program
- 2. The India- United States Nuclear Deal
- 2.1. Content and Scope of the Agreement
- 2.2. Opposition to the Agreement in India
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper analyzes the evolution of India's nuclear policy, focusing on the factors leading to the development of nuclear weapons and the subsequent India-US nuclear deal. It examines whether the 1998 nuclear tests were a logical consequence of pre-existing policies or a significant departure. The analysis considers both domestic and international influences on India's decisions.
- Evolution of India's nuclear policy
- The influence of domestic and international factors on India's nuclear decisions
- The significance of the 1998 nuclear tests
- The India-US nuclear deal and its implications
- The interplay between India's foreign policy and its nuclear program
Chapter Summaries
1. The Evolution of India's Nuclear Policy: This chapter examines the development of India's nuclear policy, contextualizing the 1998 nuclear tests within the framework of India's broader foreign policy goals. It analyzes differing interpretations of the tests—whether they represented a radical shift or a logical culmination of existing policy. The chapter explores the perspectives of various scholars, highlighting the debate surrounding the tests' implications for India's future nuclear trajectory and its international relations. The discussion considers the tension between India's desire for independence and its integration into the global nuclear order. It touches upon the long-standing commitment to peaceful coexistence and non-alignment, juxtaposed with the realities of a nuclear-armed world.
1.1. Fundamentals of India's Foreign Policy and the Nuclear Option: This section delves into the core principles of India's foreign policy under Nehru, emphasizing peaceful coexistence, non-alignment, and negotiation. It explores the challenges posed by the Cold War's bipolar structure and the absence of a nuclear umbrella for non-aligned nations. Despite opposing a nuclear weapons program initially, Nehru supported a civilian nuclear program for technological advancement, acknowledging its potential dual-use nature. This section highlights the "option" strategy, whereby the possibility of developing nuclear weapons was not explicitly ruled out.
2. The India- United States Nuclear Deal: This chapter is expected to analyze the content, scope, and ramifications of the India-US nuclear deal. It will likely cover the domestic opposition to the deal within India, exploring the various perspectives and arguments for and against its implementation. The chapter should provide a comprehensive overview of the agreement's complexities, including the compromises and strategic considerations involved. The analysis should integrate discussions of the deal's influence on India's nuclear posture, its role in its relationship with the US, and its broader implications for the global nuclear landscape.
Keywords
India's nuclear policy, nuclear weapons, non-proliferation, India-US nuclear deal, foreign policy, non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, nuclear tests (1998), Pokhran, nuclear deterrence, national security, strategic autonomy.
India's Nuclear Policy: A Comprehensive Overview - FAQ
What is the purpose of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive preview of a paper analyzing the evolution of India's nuclear policy, focusing on the factors leading to the development of nuclear weapons and the subsequent India-US nuclear deal. It includes a table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper examines the evolution of India's nuclear policy, the influence of domestic and international factors on India's nuclear decisions, the significance of the 1998 nuclear tests, the India-US nuclear deal and its implications, and the interplay between India's foreign policy and its nuclear program.
What is covered in Chapter 1: The Evolution of India's Nuclear Policy?
Chapter 1 examines the development of India's nuclear policy, placing the 1998 nuclear tests within the context of India's broader foreign policy goals. It analyzes different interpretations of the tests, exploring whether they represented a radical shift or a logical continuation of existing policy. The chapter considers various scholarly perspectives and the tension between India's desire for independence and its integration into the global nuclear order.
What does Chapter 1.1: Fundamentals of India's Foreign Policy and the Nuclear Option discuss?
This section delves into the core principles of India's foreign policy under Nehru, including peaceful coexistence, non-alignment, and negotiation. It explores the challenges posed by the Cold War and the absence of a nuclear umbrella for non-aligned nations. It highlights Nehru's support for a civilian nuclear program and the "option" strategy, where the possibility of developing nuclear weapons wasn't explicitly ruled out.
What is the focus of Chapter 2: The India-United States Nuclear Deal?
Chapter 2 analyzes the content, scope, and ramifications of the India-US nuclear deal. It covers domestic opposition to the deal in India, exploring arguments for and against its implementation. The chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the agreement's complexities, including compromises and strategic considerations, and its influence on India's nuclear posture and its relationship with the US.
What are the key words associated with this paper?
Key words include India's nuclear policy, nuclear weapons, non-proliferation, India-US nuclear deal, foreign policy, non-alignment, peaceful coexistence, nuclear tests (1998), Pokhran, nuclear deterrence, national security, and strategic autonomy.
What is the overall objective of the paper?
The paper analyzes the evolution of India's nuclear policy, focusing on the factors leading to the development of nuclear weapons and the subsequent India-US nuclear deal. It examines whether the 1998 nuclear tests were a logical consequence of pre-existing policies or a significant departure, considering both domestic and international influences.
- Citation du texte
- Sebastian Erckel (Auteur), 2008, India's Nuclear Policy, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/126130
