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In May 1998, after conducting a series of nuclear tests India declared itself a state with nuclear capability. What is noteworthy is that India had achieved the capability to assemble nuclear weapons and developed the essential delivery systems (both missiles and aircraft) much before the historic 1998 tests. India has always asserted discomfort with the existence of nuclear weapons. After years of debate on the global elimination of nuclear weapons, and nearly losing hope of the nuclear weapons states ever moving towards nuclear disarmament, India exercised prudence in declaring its strategic capability. India's decision helped it to cross the nuclear rubicon and break free from years of established nuclear apartheid between the nuclear haves and have- nots. Thereafter, India decided to construct a practical doctrine for a system of deterrence that was reasonable, effective, affordable, and defensive. The nuclear doctrine drafting group, constituted out of the National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), and set up in December 1998, and after a little over seven months of debate and discussions, came out with its 'draft' doctrine that could be effective in letter and spirit.1
Subsequently, India announced its nuclear doctrine on 17 August 1999, but preferred to call it a "draft".2 The draft doctrine emphasised the acquisition of a credible minimum deterrence premised upon the principles of a no-first- use policy and a counter-strike capability to inflict unacceptable damage. However, the draft nuclear doctrine was criticised for being ambiguous in terms of its status as a policy document; it did "not constitute a settled policy". Subsequently, on January 2003, the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the draft nuclear doctrine and amplified and adopted it as the official nuclear doctrine of India.3 This document is the official declaration of India's nuclear policy governing India's nuclear assets. Unlike its nuclear neighbours, India articulates a well-written official document underlining its nuclear posture. However, India remains committed to the goal of a nuclear weapons free world.
What is a Nuclear Doctrine?
A doctrine comprises a set of principles that define the conditions under which a certain type and quantum of force would be used.4 It comprises a set of established principles that conveys the willingness of a state to use nuclear weapons against any adversary for purposes of securing...