INDIA'S

NUCLEAR
POLICY
An overview of the nuclear arms race in the world and its
effects implications with respect to the india
subcontinent . 
Nuclear weapon 

• A bomb or missile that uses nuclear energy to cause an

explosion is a nuclear weapon .
• Nuclear weapons are of two types , fission and fusion . 
• Fission was discovered by Hahn and Stressman in 1939 .
• It is the process in which a heavy nucleus on being
bombarded with neutrons is split into two identical
nuclei  along with production of 2-3 neutron and 200
MeV of energy . 
• Atom bomb is result of uncontrolled fission , fission
reactions are controlled by absorbing neutrons from
cadmium and boron rods . 
• Heavy water d2o and graphite is used for slowing down
the fast moving neutrons .
• Union of lighter nuclei to form a bigger
nucleus is called a fusion reaction .
•  it is also accompanied by a release of
energy since the mass of product is lesser
than mass of reactants , (e=mc2) . 
• Reaction occurs at high temperature, also
called thermonuclear reaction . 
• Hydrogen bomb is an example , source of
solar energy is fusion .
Dawn of a nuclear world 
• J Robert Oppenheimer was the father of the manhattan
project which was the codename for the atomic weapon
development which was subsequently bombed on Japan. 
• The earth exploded into nuclear age on 16 july 1945 since
America had already conducted nuclear tests before
dropping a bomb on Japan ( august 6 , 1945 ). 
• Oppenheimer was an ardent follower of gita he was
devastated by what his creation had done to mankind . After
the event he quoted " a few people laughed , a few people
cried but most were silent . 
• India a new country had to survive in such chaos that
persisted at that time . 
The global arms race 
• On 1st march 1954 USA  tested another hydrogen bomb
codenamed  castle bravo tested in bikini atoll . 
• On 29 august 1949 soviet union tested its first nuclear bomb
code named first lightening in Semipalatinsk , Kazakhstan . 
• UK became third nation to posess nuclear capabilities by
detonating atomic bomb in operation codenamed  hurricane . 
• France became fourth nation to posess nuclear arms on , feb 13
1960 tested weapon named "gerboise blue" in Algeria . 
• China became the fifth country and tested a 25 kiloton uranium
235 bomb in operation codename 596 on October 16 1964 .
• A global arms race had started and india had to choose its
stance as it was under pressure since an asian country had
already acquired nuclear capabilities .
• The issue about Indias stance towards the global scenario was highly debated on news channels
and among the political and bureaucratic corridors  .
• On 26 June 1946 Nehru announced that as long as world is as it is , every country will have to
devise and use the latest devices for it's protection . I have no doubt India will develop its
scientific reasearches and I hope nuclear scientists will use atomic force for constructive purposes
, but if india is threatened she will inevitably defend herself by all means at her disposal . 
• Indias initial policy was to keep away from nuclear armament , until faced with a grave danger
which did not show till 1950s .
• Soon in 1962 China war took place , India did not anticipate the war and started search for
nuclear umberella (protection from countries with weapon like US gives to NATO) , China became
nuclear power in 1964 , Bhartiya Jana Sangha was in favour of developing India's own nuclear
weapon .
Reforms in the nuclear world.
• Two major reforms in the global perspective were 
1. Nuclear non-proliferation treaty of 1968.
2. Comprehensive test ban treaty 1996 .
In order to further understand the nuclear geopolitics we must first learn about these two
treaties and their impacts on the world and india . 
Non-proliferation treaty .
• Also known as the NPT . Proliferation means growth and non-
proliferation means to stop growth . 
• It  is an international treaty to stop the spread of weapon and
weapon technology and to achieve co-operation in peaceful use
of nuclear energy . 
• Nuclear disarmament is the main aim of the NPT . 
• Also provides that no state should acquire nuclear weapon and
in exchange the nuclear powers will provide technology
for peaceful nuclear use and work to eliminate the
nuclear arsenal .
• Treaty was signed in 1968 and came into effect on 5th march
1970. 
• India is still not a signatory to the NPT .
• The treaty only recognises 5 countries who had tested their weapons before Jan 1 1968
as nuclear powers those are , USA , Russia ,UK , France , China.
• This makes an attempt to make an elite group and discriminate between have and have
nots , since then india has also twice tested its nuclear weapons and must be recognised
as a nuclear state .
• Another concern is regarding the hostile neighbours , india is surrounded by politically
unstable Pakistan and an expansionist China , therefore it could be a threat to sign . 
Comprehensive • Multilateral treaty banning test of nuclear
weapons for all purposes civil or military . 
test ban treaty  • Opened for signature on 24 sept 1996 . Till
date there are 164 signatories and 167
pacifiers  it is most widely supported arm
control theory in the world . 
• China ,US ,India, Israel, Iran, North Korea,
Pakistan need to ratify , the united nations has
appealed to these counties to ratify the
treaty . 
• It has headquarters in Vienna , Austria
• Indias concern regarding the treaty are that
who will monitor and ensure complete
disarmament . 
• Also the Discriminatory nature ,and security
concern are a problem . 
India and the world .
• Subsequently  India in 1974 conducted a peaceful nuclear test in Pokhran codenamed smiling buddha
.
• It was too late to be considered a nuclear state , Indian government stated that test was to be used in
civilian purpose .
• India could not immediately weaponise the technology since US and Canada had withdrawn support
from nuclear program. . 
• The Whole world criticized the indian government and also told to focus more on development . 
• India made a hasty decision to fasten the weapon production after 1979 , when its intelligence
reported that Pakistan's nucclear program was going on at a fast pace as AQ khan had stolen papers
from Netherland  about the  centrifuge technology which gave Pakistan  a headstart .
• There were also rumors of China-Pak agreement in 1976 .
• In 1980-1990 Additionaly China transferred fissile material missile technology and production facility
and uranium enrichment technology to pakistan also nuclear control in pakistan fell in hands of
military .( all nations have an army in pak an army has a nation ) cause immense anxiety to delhi 
• In 1980-1990 Additionaly China transferred fissile
material, missile technology and production facility and
uranium enrichment technology to pakistan also
nuclear control in pakistan fell in hands of military as
the Zulfikar Ali Bhutto government was overthrown in a
military coup codenamed operation fairplay by General
Zia Ul Haq.
• It is often joked that  all nations have an army ,in pak an
army has a nation . 
• These development caused great anxiety in the power
corridors of Delhi and thus India began its nuclear
program with a new rigor .
A power show 
• In 1998 , India under the able guidance of the nationalist PM shri AB VAJPAYEE
conducted  nuclear tests of 5 nuclear bombs on 11 may 1998 .
• Operation shakti was the codename and 1 fission and 2 fusion bombs were tested . 
• In retaliation Pakistan tested 6 nuclear bombs under operation Chagai 1 .
• The UN then imposed sanction 1172 on India and Pakistan , which adversely impacted
the economy .
• By 1998 India was ready with nuclear weapons and also missiles like agni and prithvi
which could deliver the payload to almost any county in the world.
Indias nuclear policy 
• 2003  a nuclear doctrine was released after meeting of cabinet committee on security ,
the key principles are :
• Building and maintaining a  credible minimum deterrence .
• No first use , use only in retaliation on Indian territory or forces elsewhere . 
• Nuclear retaliation to a first strike will be massive and inflict unacceptable damage .
• No use of weapon against non-nuclear states. 
The nuclear policy of India was carefully drafted with a vision to
project India as a responsible state In order to maintain peace and
harmony in the sub-continent and also to be eligible to become a
member of international bodies like the nuclear suppliers group. 

In his book on foreign policy Shiv Shankar Menon stated that

Indias nuclear policy is more flexible that it gets credit for .